Michigan State may be home to the Motor City, but it offers a number of heart pumping motorless activities including running half marathons. Read on to find out which ones are the top-rated half marathons in Michigan.
Borgess Medical Center Kalamazoo Half Marathon
The Kalamazoo Marathon is all about community. The benefactors of the event are local children’s charities and the organizers promote their Green Strides program, which includes initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the event. Click here to learn more.
The Course
The half marathon takes you through a mix of neighborhoods, industrial areas, and scenic parks. For more details, the organizers have provided an interactive map for runners to view all of the “excitement zones” and their different sponsors.
Image Source: Kalamazoo Marathon
Reviews
“Great course and unbelievable crowd support. The atmosphere in the Winchell neighborhood was the best. First-class event that I won’t miss next year! Great job, everyone!!!” — A.S., Marathonguide.com Review
“I loved this race. Very impressive organization considering this was the inaugural running. So much live music along the course – loved it! Well stocked and manned water and aid stations. Great community support along the route. Great post-race areas with shaded rest areas and a beer tent! Beautiful medals. Nice that it was the same weekend as Art Hop in downtown Kalamazoo. All my runner friends also expressed how much fun the day was. The course itself is certainly hilly, but that’s Kalamazoo. Can’t wait for next year!” — B.H., Marathonguide.com Review
Traverse City Track Club Bayshore Half Marathon
The Bayshore Marathon is the largest event run by the Traverse City Track Club. The funds raised from this event are donated to local schools, organizations, and individuals that promote running and health-related activities. Click here for more information.
The Course
The Bayshore Half Marathon boasts some of the most incredible views for any race in its class. Expect a 225 ft climb in the beginning before dropping back down to join the marathon course at around the 2 mile mark.
Image Source: Bayshore Marathon
Reviews
“This was my First Bayshore Marathon, third marathon of the year and 20th overall. I set a PR by 6 minutes and BQ’d by close to 10 Minutes. The course did have a few rolling hills in my opinion. Most times I ran the crown of the road to avoid the steep cross slope in some areas. I thought the spectator support was great. The volunteers at the aid station were top notch. I had one volunteer make an effort to run down the road to give me water after we missed each other at the aid station. Overall this was a great experience. The City made for a great long weekend with nice restaurants and shops for my wife and I to enjoy.” — B.R., Marathonguide.com Review
“This was my second Bayshore and I plan on doing it again! What’s not to like? The course is beautiful; you run along Lake Michigan for most of it. We stayed at a hotel downtown and walked to the race 30 minutes before the start. Very stress-free. Did a PR and BQ, but had a heat-related issue at the finish line. The medical staff were right there and did a great job of taking care of everyone. There was Stone Cold ice cream at the finish. Got to love that.” — J.S., Marathonguide.com Review
Ann Arbor Half Marathon
The Ann Arbor Marathon may be a newer event, but it might fool you with how well it’s run. All participants receive a high-quality race tech shirt, a stunning finisher’s medal, an incredible post-race meal and more. Click here for more information.
The Course
The half marathon course is more challenging than others, but the vibrant downtown streets, impressive University of Michigan campus, and scenic views of the Huron River will keep you going strong.
Image Source: Ann Arbor Marathon
Reviews
“Very well organized race around the beautiful town of Ann Arbor, UM Campus and through several parks. Plenty of Aid stations along the course with water, gatorade and GU. Very challenging course with several large hills and numerous smaller ones. Nice finisher medals, shirts and food tent at the end of the race. Although its a Boston qualifier, there a numerous other easier courses to get a BQ if that’s your goal. Will definitely do this race again next year.” — M.E., Marathonguide.com Review
“A beautiful, scenic run through a diverse course, including park pathways along the water, university landmarks, and the heart of the city of Ann Arbor..I was impressed with the organization, especially for a first marathon. There were plenty of well spaced water/gatorade stations and 3 GU stops spaced nicely before the water. It was a warmer day with some challenging hills and hydration was well addressed and taken seriously. The time and effort that the organizers put into the run was obvious.” — A.M., Marathonguide.com Review
North Country Trail Run Half Marathon – Wellston
The North Country Trail Run includes a half marathon, full marathon, and ultra marathon course. The entire event is limited to only 500 participants, so be sure to register early if you are considering this event. Click here for registration details.
The Course
As its name implies, the entire half marathon course is run on a trail. The trail for half marathon runners is clearly marked with yellow flags. Be sure to keep a close eye on roots that are intent on slowing you down.
Image Source: North Country Trail Run
Reviews
“What an awesome race/experience! By far the hardest run Ive ever done, but one of the most beautiful and challenging! I do typically 10-15 races a year and the staff and planning here was top notch. My biggest thanks for all the volunteers and directors, evry single person who put this together and the awesome runners I ran with! Cant wait until next year! Already signed up for Saturday and Sunday! I almost forgot the medal! Best medal I have received!” — Francesca Marie Pellegrino, Facebook Review
“This was a unique event. It was a challenge on a difficult and beautiful course. Everything about it, from the organization to the post-race festivities, was superb. The thing that made it truly unique, however, was the care and respect extended not only to the runners but also to the spectators accompanying the runners. I have not experienced anything like it at any other event.” — D.D., Marathonguide.com Review
Groundhog Half Marathon – Grand Rapids
The Groundhog Marathon is “the day in February you won’t forget.” The event is run on the first weekend of February, where there’s a good chance that you’ll be running in snow. Click here to see amazing pictures of the event.
The Course
Taking a cue from the movie Groundhog Day, the course for both the full and half marathons is setup as a 4.4 mile loop. Full marathoners will repeat the loop six times while half marathoners will repeat the loop three times.
Image Source: Groundhog Marathon
Reviews
“LOVE this marathon! One of my all time favorites even though we ran through snow up to our knees, which made it even more fun, really! I love doing loops like that so you know exactly where the next aid station is coming up. I want to do this one again, and I think that with no snow, or little snow, some pretty fast times could be run on this course. Really, really beautiful! Volunteers were so friendly and awesome awards! Thanks so much race director, Don Kern and crew!” — Kathryn Waldron, Marathonguide.com Review
“What a great race! I had such a good time. The volunteers and organizers were incredibly helpful and friendly. My fellow runners seemed to be having as much fun as I was. The hoodie and medal are really nice. I was super excited to get a hoodie instead of yet another race t-shirt. I cannot wait to run this again next year! I will tell stories about this race for a long time.” — J.G., Marathonguide.com Review
Detroit Free Press Talmer Bank Half Marathon
Don’t forget to bring your passports, eh? In addition to taking you on a tour of the Motor City, this race will have you crossing the Canadian border into Windsor, Ontario. If you do not have a passport, you can still participate in the U.S.-only half marathon. Click here to get more information on ID requirements.
The Course
Both the International Half Marathon and the U.S-only Half Marathon give you a picturesque view of the Detroit river as you cross the Ambassador Bridge or the MacArthur Bridge respectively. With the earlier start time of the International Half Marathon, you may be even able to watch the sun rise as you cross if you are fast enough.
Image Source: Detroit Free Press Marathon
Reviews
“The weather was great, the course was the best urban course I ran so far. The sunrise view from the bridge was worth the trip. Spectators and course entertainment were a lot of fun. ‘Running in the Big D’ was heard a lot. The City of Detroit has a lot pride and put on a great race.” — S.K., Marathonguide.com Review
“I strongly recommend running this marathon. Course was awesome, organization was great and the fan support was excellent in both the US and Canada. Spacing of corral starts was well done…I never felt crowded. The medal and shirt are among my favorite. I stayed at the Ren Center and used the People Mover over the weekend…very convenient.” — D.R., Marathonguide.com Review
Metro Health Grand Rapids Half Marathon
The Grand Rapids Marathon is consistently touted as an exceptionally well-organized event. The race director, Don Kern, even makes the effort to personally give a high five, handshake, or hug to every finisher of the race. Click here to learn more about Don.
The Course
The course begins with a downtown loop that includes the crossing of the Grand River. Here, you will be able to get a clear view of downtown Grand Rapids. Continuing on, the race enters Millennium Park where the color of the Autumn leaves will be sure to inspire. As an added bonus, you will have the option of taking a hot shower at the YMCA after you cross the finish line.
Image Source: Grand Rapids Marathon
Reviews
“I ran the full in 2012, setting a huge PR, and fell in love with this race. Don Kern and his team get every detail right, and runners can just focus on running, knowing that everything they need is already taken care of. In 2014, I came back for the half and set an unexpected, post-injury PR. Race directors everywhere should take a lesson from the Grand Rapids team.” — A.F., Marathonguide.com Review
“After reading all of the great reviews, my expectations were high, and this race did not disappoint! There were many supportive emails sent by the race director prior to the race, confirming all of the major and minor details so runners had little to worry about. The access to the YMCA before and after the race was very helpful. The course was flat and beautiful and many people came out to cheer. There were plenty of aid stations and the volunteers were fantastic! It was literally one of the best race experiences I’ve had.” — A.W., Marathonguide.com Review
Marquette Half Marathon
The Marquette Marathon is held on Labor Day long weekend. The half marathon starts in Negaunee, a mining town to the west of the Marquette where the race ends. Click here for more details.
The Course
Much of the course is run on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail. This trail provides an excellent surface for running as it is partially paved with asphalt and crushed granite. A unique feature of this course is the gradual elevation drop between mile 5 and 10 of approximately 600 ft.
Image Source: Marquette Marathon
Reviews
“This destination marathon has been upgraded to a stellar UP annual event with the new courses for 2014! In spite of rain it was a beautifully done event with huge community support. The organizers were able to draw lots of helpers from the campus community of NMU to make this truly a high class event. With nicer weather in years to come it will simply be an awesome UP event well worth for planning a weekend or vacation!” — T.P., Marathonguide.com Review
“This is a very well organized marathon and the people who put it together are fantastic. I heard from a number of other runners who also praised the organizers. The scenery was very nice and the volunteers are great. I had no problems with traffic or getting as much water as I wanted.” — E.P., Marathonguide.com Review