You’ve likely visited northern Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, either as a kid or with your own family, but have you run this area known nationally (and beyond) for its scenic beauty?

The Sleeping Bear Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K, held each October, is an opportunity to explore the Lakeshore on foot (no, you don’t have to worry about climbing any dunes!) Endurance Evolution is behind this race, which for the first time sold out this year. (But don’t fear–there’s still a chance for you to run this race! Keep reading for details…)

sleepingbearlogosquare.jpgJoel Gaff, race director and founder of Endurance Evolution, joins Heather in the studio to talk about this year’s event, which starts in Empire, on the shores of Lake Michigan. The marathon and half marathon courses take runners along the incredibly beautiful Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, while the 5K course is in the quaint village of Empire. Joel also talks about his upcoming Ironman race (Good luck, Joel!) during this episode.

All races finish at the same spot at a Lake Michigan beach. Celebrate your race with fellow runners (and Short’s beer), then wander over to the nearby Empire Hops Festival. Heather announces a special giveaway — two free race entries — during the show, so if you haven’t been able to sign up, or you’re on the waiting list, be sure to enter the Facebook giveaway.

Heather ran the half marathon last fall. Read more about it here »

 

*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. Clicking this link will automatically download the shows to your iTunes account. 

A special thanks to Mike Moran of Quarter After Productions in Traverse City, Mich. for producing the show. Check out his work here, and if you like Michigan craft beer like me, tune into the popular Short’s Cast, a show he produces for Short’s Brewing Company of Bellaire, Mich.

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