Sleeping Bear Marathon
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Event overview
The Sleeping Bear Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K is scheduled for October 4, 2025 in Empire, MI. The event includes the following distances:
- Marathon
- Half Marathon
- 5K
The 2025 event is sold out and there is no waitlist. The race is produced by Race Day Events.
Course, logistics and awards
All races finish in Empire, MI. The marathon is an out-and-back route that passes the Dune Climb, Little Glen Lake, and the village of Glen Arbor, with views of the Manitou Islands and Sleeping Bear Dunes. The half marathon follows the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail and includes hilly sections. The 5K is an out-and-back that finishes at Empire Beach.
Full and half marathon participants must have a valid Sleeping Bear Dunes entrance pass on race day; 5K participants, spectators, and volunteers do not need the pass. Parking is located at Johnson Park; shuttles transport half and full marathon athletes from Johnson Park to the Dune Climb start. Friends and family may drop participants at the Dune Climb parking lot but no race parking is available there.
Packet pick-up is available at Fleet Feet Traverse City South and on race morning at Johnson Park and Empire Beach. Included items and services: a unisex lightweight tri-blend hoodie, a custom finisher medal, post-race refreshments and snacks (including beer for those 21+), professional timing, free digital photos, and participant tracking. Awards are given to the top three overall male and female finishers and to the top three in each listed age division. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.