Glen Arbor Solstice Half Marathon & 5K

Course highlights

The race is set to take the field on an out-and-back course that starts and finishes near downtown Glen Arbor, at the intersection of South Lake Street and Lakewood Drive.

From there, the course heads southeast and starts a clockwise loop around the lake — with a brief curve around Fisher Lake — that features almost all fast and flat terrain, with the exception of a pair of hills, the first as runners are approaching the mile 3 marker, and the second on the part of the course known as Inspiration Point, between miles 8 and 9.

This stretch is the one that offers perhaps the best views of any spot on the race route, note the race organizers at Michigan-based Endurance Evolution, which hosts this race in addition to triathlons in nearby Traverse City and Lansing throughout the year.

Wide-angle views from atop the hill at the point show off the lake’s clear blue water and visitors can take in the view from the platform here on Michigan’s scenic Highway 22.

As they’re making their way along the final three miles of the half marathon route, runners will also cross a bridge on South Glen Lake Road, along the dam that divides Big and Little Glen Lakes, in the area known as the Narrows. From there, the course is almost all flat on the way back in to the race finish line near Glen Arbor.