Stafford’s Top of Michigan Marathon – A USATF CERTIFIED COURSE to benefit the Top of Michigan Trails Council and Petoskey High School sports teams.

In addition to the Marathon, the event includes a Half Marathon, a 10K run/walk event, and two 5K run/walk events.

The marathon race will be run on a beautiful course made of asphalt that starts in Charlevoix (at 7:30 am), follows the coast line to Petoskey, and finishes in Harbor Springs. The trail is an excellent venue for runners stepping up to a marathon or seasoned runners looking for a fast time. The trail is relatively flat and perfect for getting a qualifying time for other races. There is a grassy half-mile section run on the bluff in Bay View (to avoid pedestrian traffic). Runners will enjoy many spectacular views of the Little Traverse Bay. The course veers from the Wheelway north of Petoskey to follow Beach Rd. east to Harbor Springs, which affords runners a more scenic route along the bay.

The half marathon is run on the same course after it begins in the village of Bay Harbor at 8:00 am. These runners will also finish in Harbor Springs.

The 10K run/walk starts at the Top of Michigan Trails Council’s Packy Offield Trail Center at 8:30 am, and also finishes in Harbor Springs.

The Charlevoix 5K race will begin at the Marathon start line on Michigan Ave near West Dixon Ave at 8:00 am. Runners will run out and back along the marathon course. The Harbor Springs 5K will start at the race finish line in Zorn Park at 8:30 am. Runners there will also run out and back along the marathon course to finish at the same spot.