Sleeping Bear Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K
Sleeping Bear Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K is a running race on October 3, 2026 in Empire, MI, with entry fees from $50 to $110.
- Date
- October 3, 2026 (72 days to go)
- Location
- Empire Beach, Empire, MI
- Price
- $50–$110
- Sport
- Running
From the Organizer
Join us for a Scenic Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K Run/Walk in the Heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore!
All races finish in Empire, MI. The Marathon and Half Marathon start at the Dune Climb, while the 5K begins at Empire Beach.
Marathon Course: This out-and-back route takes runners past the iconic Dune Climb, Little Glen Lake, and through the charming village of Glen Arbor. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Manitou Islands and Sleeping Bear Dunes throughout the course.
Half Marathon Course: Experience challenging hills and stunning scenery along the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.
5K Course: A fun out-and-back route that finishes at the beautiful shores of Empire Beach.
Held at the peak of fall color season, this tree-lined course offers a memorable experience for both runners and spectators alike. Come see why Good Morning America calls this area one of the most beautiful in the United States!
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
64°
Typical Low
44°
Chance of Rain
39%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Maple City 1e, 9 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Empire, MI
City Elevation
967 ft
Nearest Airport
TVC
Cherry Capital Airport · 21 mi
Major Hub
GRR
Gerald R. Ford International Airport · 136 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 Sleeping Bear Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
72
Days to train
- Race
- Sleeping Bear Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K
- Date
- October 3, 2026
- Location
- Empire Beach, Empire, MI
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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.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
More Running races near Empire, MI
Beulah Block Micro Marathon - B2M2
163 S. Benzie Blvd
14 miles away
Port Oneida Run
5K · 10K · Half Marathon · From $45 · Port Oneida Heritage Center at the Charles and Hattie Olsen Farm
7 miles away
Blueberry Dash 5K
5K · From $40 · Corner of Bellows Ave. and S. Shore E.
17 miles away
Crystal Lake Team Marathon
Marathon · From $20 · 284 S. Benzie Blvd
14 miles away
Plan your trip
Make it a Racecation
Coming from out of town? There's more to Empire than race day. We'll help you line up nearby lodging, flights, a rental car, and things to do so you can make the most of your racecation.
Plan your trip to EmpireFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Sleeping Bear Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K
Oct 3, 2026