Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon and 7.5 Miler - MI
- Date
- November 27, 2026
- Distance
- Half Marathon · 7.5 Mile · Half Marathon - Economy Package & more
From the Organizer
Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon & 7.5 Mile – November 27, 2026
Kick off your holiday season at Black Toenail Friday, Southeast Michigan’s favorite post-Thanksgiving trail running tradition. On Friday, November 27, 2026, runners will gather at Proud Lake Recreation Area for a Half Marathon or 7.5 Mile trail race. With a late 11:00 AM start, well-marked wooded trails, and the crisp beauty of Michigan’s late fall, this event offers the perfect balance of challenge, community, and fun. Whether you're chasing a PR, enjoying the trails with friends, or completing your Trivium Michigan Mega Medal Series, Black Toenail Friday is the race to close out your season.
Why Run Black Toenail Friday?
- Late 11:00 AM start – enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, sleep in, and still make the race
- Beautiful Proud Lake Recreation Area – scenic trails with a mix of forest, lakes, and smooth terrain
- Choose your distance – Half Marathon or 7.5 Mile trail race
- Run or Ruck!
- Post-race community vibe – campfires, ramen, hot cocoa, and cheering for finishers
- Great swag – long sleeve tech shirt included, with the option to upgrade to or add a hoodie
- Final race of the Michigan Mega Medal Series – earn your last medal piece and complete the 6-part puzzle
- Convenient Southeast Michigan location – close to metro Detroit with easy parking at the Modern Campground
Race Details
Leave the shopping crowds to the mall and join hundreds of runners on the trails. Black Toenail Friday features well-groomed, beginner-friendly courses with a few rolling hills and late-fall conditions that can bring cool temps, crisp air, or even a dusting of snow. Proud Lake’s trails are well-marked, making it hard to get lost, and parking is conveniently located near the start/finish area at the Modern Campground (2928 Glengary Rd, Commerce Charter Twp, MI 48382).
A Michigan Running Tradition
Since 2016, Black Toenail Friday has been more than a race—it has been a community gathering to celebrate the close of the racing season. With its friendly atmosphere, fall colors, and post-run camaraderie, it is the perfect way to balance Thanksgiving with movement, nature, and friends.
This is your chance to be part of Michigan’s best Black Friday race tradition. Register now, claim your spot, and join the fun.
Part of the Trivium Michigan Mega Medal Series
Black Toenail Friday is the 6th and final race in the Trivium Michigan Mega Medal Series. Complete the series in-person or virtually, and your six individual medals combine into one giant Mega Medal. Participants save over $150 by registering for the full series.
2026 Series Races include:
- Prove It 5K & 10K – April 18, 2026 - Milford, MI
- Trenton Summerfest Half Marathon, 8K, & 5K – June 27 2026 - Trenton, MI
- Dearborn Decades 5K – August 2, 2026 - Dearborn, MI
- Run the 313 5K – August 22, 2026 - Detroit, MI
- Growler Gallop Atwater 10 Mile & 5K – September 27, 2026 - Detroit, MI
- Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon & 7.5 Miler – November 27, 2026 - Commerce Township, MI
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
41°
Typical Low
28°
Chance of Rain
33%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Pontiac Oakland Co Intl Ap, 7 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Commerce Township, MI
Nearest Airport
DTW
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport · 27 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon and 7.5 Miler - MI, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
172
Days to train
- Race
- Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon and 7.5 Miler - MI
- Date
- November 27, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Commerce Township, MI
Heart of the Lakes Festival 5K run/walk
5K
Less than a mile away
Milford Firecracker 5K & 10K
10K · 5K
6 miles away
BRB - Back Roads Bound Half Marathon
Half Marathon
5 miles away
Milford Memories Run
6 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon and 7.5 Miler - MI?
- Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon and 7.5 Miler - MI is a running race held in Commerce Township, Michigan on November 27, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon and 7.5 Miler - MI?
- Friday, November 27, 2026 in Commerce Township, Michigan at 2928 Glengary Rd, Commerce Township, MI. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon and 7.5 Miler - MI?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon and 7.5 Miler - MI
Nov 27, 2026