Rainbow Run

TART Trails and Up North Pride are hosting the annual Rainbow Run, a color fun run and fundraiser around the Boardman Lake Loop Trail. On June 20, 2026, the event will celebrate the trail systems and the Northern Michigan 2SLGBTQ+ Community during Pride Month. Participants and spectators will be invited to Hull Park to enjoy music and refreshments before and after the run. 

The run/walk route will take participants counterclockwise around the 4-mile Boardman Lake Loop Trail. There will be five distinct and separated stations along the route for participants to receive their colors. All participants who register by May 30th will receive a branded white t-shirt. We will be using a powder made of colored cornstarch that will be human, fish, and environment-friendly and will wash out after a rain to have no long-lasting effects on the park or the City infrastructure. The trail will stay open for public use so please be kind to other trail users.

When
Friday, June 19, 2026 - packet pick up | Fleet Feet, downtown Traverse City
4:00-7:00 pm | packet pick up / check-in

Saturday, June 20, 2026 - race day | Hull Park, Boardman Lake Loop Trail
8:00 am | late packet pick up / check in 
9:00 am | run / walk start
12:00 pm | event ends

Where
Hull Park | 660 Hannah Ave, Traverse City, Michigan 49686

Route
The 4-mile Boardman Lake Loop Trail wraps around Boardman Lake, just south of downtown Traverse City. The northern portion of the trail offers an urban setting with commercial access. The western portion features lookout piers, fishing decks, and kayak launches. The southern end features two bridges over the Boardman/Ottaway River and an extended boardwalk over the Boardman Lake Cove with bump-out sections for rest and recreation. The east side is a heavily wooded segment featuring gentle curves and a mix of pavement, boardwalk, and gravel surfaces. There are bathrooms located on the southern end at Medalie Park and Northern end at Hull Park.

Distance: 4 miles
Surface: Pavement, boardwalk, and short sections of gravel
ADA Accessibility: Fully accessible

Waves
Participants will identify themselves as runners or walkers at check-in and will be assigned a wave. There will be 8 waves that start 2 minutes apart. Each wave will be limited to 50 participants. There will be designated waiting areas for each wave.

This is done so people will generally start and run/walk most of the event near people of their own abilities and speeds. This will also prevent participants from waiting in line to receive their color spray at each color station along the route. 

Who benefits
Proceeds will be split between Up North Pride and TART Trails

What is the cost?
Pre-Registration | $25 Student (17 and under) / $30 Adult (18+) | must register by May 30th to guarantee a t-shirt & early bird pricing
May 31st price increase | $30 Student (17 and under) / $35 Adult (18+) 

Parking & Bathrooms
Public Parking is available across the street from the Traverse Area District Library, at the Department of Public Services (DPS) at 625 Woodmere Ave. (The large back lot is accessible from Hannah Ave.) For safety, we ask that you use either the crosswalk directly in front of the library, or at the Woodmere/Hannah intersection. There is also limited pull-in parking along the railroad tracks on the east side of Hull Park.

The Public Restrooms in Hull Park open around 7 am. There are also restrooms just inside the library, which opens at 9am, and at Medalie Park on the far side of the course.

Packet Pick Up
Join us for packet pick up on Friday, June 19 between 4 to 7 pm at Fleet Feet in downtown Traverse City! Grab your t-shirt, wave assignment and stick around for lots of fun. Check-in and packet pick up will also be available Saturday morning at Hull Park beginning at 8 am.

Training Programs

Are you new to running? There are great training groups and fun run/walks offered by our local sponsors and community partners:

Fleet Feet run/walk groups, more info here
Traverse City Track Club weekly fun runs, more info here

Volunteer

Volunteers are the heart of Up North Pride and TART Trails, volunteers can sign up here

Inclement Weather Information

In the event of inclement weather (thunder, lightning, threatening rain), we may postpone or cancel the Rainbow Run. Please check your email on the morning of the event for updates. TART Trails and Up North Pride will also post updates to social media channels if needed. In the event of cancellation or postponement, your registration fee is non-refundable and will be considered a tax-deductible donation to TART Trails and Up North Pride.

The 2026 Rainbow Run is presented by JenTees Custom Logo Gear and Molina Healthcare.