Top of Michigan Festival of Races

Top of Michigan Festival of Races includes a series of races that benefit the Top of Michigan Trails Council and the Petoskey High School Track and Cross Country teams.   

The course is run along the Little Traverse Wheelway, a non-motorized trail that runs from Charlevoix, through Petoskey/Bay Harbor and onto Harbor Springs. This year, our course will be out and backs from Petoskey's waterfront. The trail is an excellent venue for runners. The trail is relatively flat and has spectacular views of the Little Traverse Bay. Please note that there are a few off road sections of this route, on grass and dirt.

The Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k start and end in Petoskey. The course is mostly paved, with some sections on grass and a short section on trail, connecting into the Petoskey State Park for the 10k and Half Marathon.

2026 Courses are as follows:
- 5k Course
- 10k Course
- Half Marathon Course
We expect 2025's to be the same!

Event Information:

Event Date:

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Event Location:

Lime Kiln Kid’s Fishing Pier, Bayfront Park, Petoskey, MI 49770

Event Times:

• Friday Packet Pickup - 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm - TBD
• Saturday Packet Pickup - 6:30 am to 7:15 am @ Lim Kiln Kid's Fishing Pier, Bayfront Park
• Half Marathon Race Begins - 7:30 am
• 10K Race Begins - 8:00 am
• 5K Race Begins - 8:15 am
• Awards - TBD

Registration Fees:   

• Half - $70 Early Registration 
• 10K - $45 Early Registration 
• 5K - $30 Early Registration 
• All races will have price increases on February 15, 2026, and again April 15, 2026

Registration Includes:

• Refreshments
• Finisher Medals
• Top Male/Female Awards
• T-Shirt (cut off May 12th)

Parking Options:
- There are three parking lots along Bayfront Drive open to the public. Please do not use the marina parking lot. 
- The park above the bluff (Sunset Park) has a few parking spots available.
- Our friends at Kilwins have offered parking in a portion of their parking lots. This map shows two sections (1&2) available for runners. 

Allow for enough time to park and walk to the start line.