Will Run for Cherries: July’s National Cherry Festival races in Traverse City (plus race discount code!)

Known as the “Original Traverse City Foot Race,” the Festival of Races that are part of the National Cherry Festival each July include distances for just about any runner: a half marathon, 15K, 10K and 5K. These races, which take place the final weekend of the weeklong festival, on Saturday, July 8, are a summer tradition for many runners, including my family.

 

This year marks the races’ 44th year—the race started in 1973 as a 10K and shifted to a 15K in 1978. In 1989 the 5K was added; most recently, the 10K was re-introduced along with a half marathon. All told, more than 50,000 participants have crossed the finish line over the years.

This latest episode of the Michigan Runner Girl podcast features my conversation with co-race director Katherine Brege, assistant race director Tabitha McNeil and Traverse City runner Robyn Thompson. We talk about their favorite Cherry Festival and Festival of Races memories. Katherine shares details on each race. This includes details on the fantastic challenge of the big hill in the 15K—”Mt. McKinley”—and the cool things offered to half marathoners (awesome finisher medals, upgraded tech shirt, first two miles through the vineyard and cherry orchard with views of West Grand Traverse Bay)

Tabi offers up information on finish line updates and changes. The finish line has been re-designed for better people traffic flow and communication. Other highlights:

We also talk about the popular Cherry Mile (formerly the Golden Mile) and Carter’s Run, the kids’ fun run mile, that take place Thursday evening of Festival Week. {To listen to this show, please click on the player at the top of this post. Or download the episode using your favorite podcast app}

 

The Priority Health 5K Run/Walk, 10K and 15K, and Chateau Grand Traverse Half Marathon all take place Saturday, July 8 in Traverse City. Be sure to use this special MRG race discount — MRG2017 — code to save $5 off your race entry. Learn more about these races and get signed up here »