Sleeping Bear Marathon

Date: Friday October, 4 - 1:00-6:45pm EDT Location: Fleet Feet – Traverse City South - 3301 South Airport Rd, Traverse City, MI 49684 --- Date: Saturday October, 5 - 6:00-8:15am EDT Location: - Half & Full Marathon: Johnson Park - 11698 S Reynolds St. Empire, MI 49630 - 5K: Empire Beach - 10484 Niagara St. Empire, MI 49630

Yes!

This race does not offer refunds or deferrals. If you are registered for the event, you agreed to the no refund and no deferral policy prior to submitting your online registration. This includes those who experience illness, injury or any other condition that may prevent them from participating in the event.

- Full and Half Marathon participants must have a valid Sleeping Bear Dunes Entrance Pass on race day, either before or after the race. - Participants may purchase their park pass at the visitor center, campgrounds, Dune Climb, or Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Staff will be at the Platte River Campground until 8:00 pm on Friday. The Philip Hart Visitor Center in Empire will be open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily for pass sales. They can also utilize the self-pay stations at North Bar Lake, Peterson Road Beach, or the Maritime Museum Beach. Other beaches have self-pay stations but those 3 are the closest to Empire. If they don't have time to purchase a pass before the race, they can always do it after the race is over. - This is NOT a parking pass. Regardless of where you park, you will still need this pass. - 5K Participants, spectators, and volunteers DO NOT need a Sleeping Bear Dunes Entrance Pass.

HALF AND FULL MARATHON ONLY Shuttles will be available for half and full marathon athletes from Johnson Park, to the start line at Dune Climb Parking Lot off of Hwy 109 at Hunter Rd. Shuttles will run from 6:00AM – 7:45AM. --- ***Friends and Family MAY drop participants at Dune Climb Parking Lot. NO RACE PARKING IS AVAILABLE AT DUNE CLIMB PARKING LOT!***

Yes, the Sleeping Bear Marathon is a USATF-certified course, and is a Boston Marathon qualifying race. We send all marathon results to the Boston Marathon production team within a few weeks after the race.

All roads are open to vehicle traffic on race day, but the majority of the race takes place on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. When running on the road, athletes should run as far toward the left shoulder as possible. Volunteers and police will be stationed at major intersections to aid in athlete crossing, but athletes should be prepared to stop if needed.

YES! Each athlete will be allowed 1 bag per person to be transported from the start line to the finish line. Athletes may provide their own bag or use a bag provided at the half/full marathon start line. Make sure to drop your bags at the Gear Check sign and make sure your bag is labeled with your BIB NUMBER (labels will be available). Your bag may be picked up at the finish line after your race. Make sure to have your bib with you to claim you bag. *Please leave all valuables inside your car or with family/friends. Race Day Events is not liable for any lost or stollen items.

Yes. Please be mindful of those around you and make sure you are able to hear any emergency announcements.