Scenic water views, Leelanau Peninsula wine, cherries … all the makings of some fun and fabulous summer race weekends in Michigan, wouldn’t you agree?

As we look ahead to summer – this weekend marks the unofficial kick-off to the season, the 90 days of summer – MRG provides a closer look at three awesome summer racing events worth checking out: the Charlevoix Marathon, Half Marathon 10K & 5K on June 23; the National Cherry Festival of Races Half Marathon, 15K, 10K and 5K on July 7 in Traverse City; and the Vineyard to Bay 15K and 5K run/walk on Sunday, Sept. 2 in Suttons Bay.

Race directors Michelle Elliott (Festival of Races), Ross Deye (Vineyard to Bay), and Jeff Soffolk (Charlevoix) join me on the show to talk about their respective races – and also to share how these three events are part of the 2018 Record-Eagle Running Series. {To listen to this episode, click on the player at the top of this post}

You’ll hear why the Vineyard to Bay, which has contributed thousands of dollars to TART Trails and local schools in the past five years, moved to a new date – Labor Day weekend – and why pickle juice (and bacon) is served on the marathon course in Charlevoix. Michelle gives details of the cherry treats available post-race, and all three race directors talk about their own personal running adventures.

About the R-E Running Series: There is no cost to participate. Online pre-registration for the 2018 Record-Eagle Running Series is available until 8 am on Thursday, June 14 2018. Participation in the series is free. However, participants must register for each race and pay the according race fees on their event websites. Runners must participate in an event at the Charlevoix Marathon, Cherry Festival of Races and Vineyard to Bay Races.

Times from all 3 events are combined, and at the Record-Eagle 2 Mile Championships in September, awards will be given to winners. Overall, Masters and Grand Masters Male and Female runners in each speed division will receive trophies and $100 cash. Top male and female runners in each age category will receive medals.


The Michigan Runner Girl Show is made possible in part by the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. Traverse City Tourism also helped make this episode possible.

 If you enjoy what you’re hearing on the Michigan Runner Girl show, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a few moments to write a review on iTunes. This will help more runners and Michigan lovers like yourself find the podcasts. Thank you!! Also, the quickest way to get the podcasts is to subscribe to the show via iTunes or via Stitcher or your favorite podcast app. 

A special thanks to Mike Moran, Mike Youker and Jonny Tornga of Quarter After Productions in Traverse City, Mich. for producing the show. Check out this studio’s work here.

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