Great Lakes Endurance’s newest trail race: Treetops Trifecta 5K, Hill Climb & Half Marathon Nov. 4-5 in Gaylord

If you’ve ever run a Great Lakes Endurance race — this race company is behind 10 Wisconsin and Michigan trail runs, including my favorites the Tahqua Trail Run 25K & 10K near Paradise, Mich. each August and the Grand Island 50K, marathon and half marathon in Munising, Mich. in July — you know that these events are top-notch. Jeff Crumbaugh and his team have been committed to pioneering race events with minimal to no environmental impact since their first Keweenaw Trail Running Festival in 2000. {Be sure to take advantage of the special race discount code, shared at the end of this post.}

Great Lakes Endurance last year added a new race to its roster of events, the Treetops Trifecta this month in Gaylord, Mich. This new trail running event takes place Nov. 4-5 at Treetops Resort. The event is called the Treetops Trifecta as it includes three races in one weekend, starting with a 5K trail run at 10 a.m. Saturday on newly constructed single track on the Treetops Main Campus. The course features winding forested single track with several sections that transition out to overlooks. Runners later will gather at the base of the Alpine Ski Hill for a 1 km Hill Climb that starts at 4 p.m. The course is a mowed path up the blue diamond ski runs and finishes at the grassy overlook near the The Legends on the Hill Restaurant. The hill climb is spectator friendly and runners will enjoy the cheering of fans at the summit.

The final event of the race weekend? A half marathon on Sunday morning. But before that, a pasta dinner at the resort is available to runners.

On Saturday evening, Treetops chefs will prepare a gourmet pasta dinner that will be served in the Birch Room at the main lodge. The marquis half marathon event begins at 9 a.m. Sunday morning at the North Clubhouse.

“This is one of the most beautiful half marathons we have ever offered,” Jeff says. “It is diverse and features stunning views in nearly every mile of the course. We have never been more excited about a venue. It is not to be missed.”

The race starts on famed Hole #1 of the Signature Golf Course and follows wooded natural areas between fairways and along the edges of fairways for 2.5 miles before transitioning intoa 1.5 mile stunning single track through the Headwaters Conservancy Sturgeon River Preserve.  The course then travels a rural road for a quarter of a mile before entering the Treetops Project Nature. Runners will enjoy a grand winding loop that includes single track along the Sturgeon River, and climbs up on ridges with vast panoramic views of the Sturgeon River Valley and the Vanderbilt Highlands. Most of the Project Nature section is highly runnable XC ski trail or dirt two track trail. After the Project Nature loop, runners return to the North Clubhouse via a route similar the races early miles, but featuring a new section of single track on the Headwaters Conservancy Sturgeon River Preserve.

Runners can run one, two or all three (the trifecta) events. Registration is now open.

Ready to sign up? Click here to learn more and register » 

Save $10 off any race distance when you use the code TREETOPSMRG

The event is a collaboration between Great Lakes Endurance, Treetops Resort and The Headwaters Conservancy. The race supports environmental education and trail maintenance for the Headwaters Conservancy.  Additional information can be obtained on the Great Lakes Endurance site or via email (info@greatlakesendurance.com).