Getting up before the crack of dawn, driving to the start and checking in for the run of the day couldn’t be any more exciting when it involves running along the Ausable River or lake Avery as the sun comes up.
The Michigan Outback Relay is a three-day summer weekend featuring the country’s longest and most challenging relay race run through the scenic upper half of Michigan’s lower peninsula. Great people, great runs, and great times to party after your last run of the day…
Are you up to the challenge? Three days of running over hills, through sand, mud, and water. In some years, there is a trek through the swamp and even a river crossing.
You will experience the beauty of the northern half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula like you never have before – up close and personal. The course will take runners through state and national forests, over remote trails and roads, through sandy ruts, and of course over a few hills! All roads are runnable but not always drivable.
For 2022, we mixed in some new legs along with those from the past. For Day 1, we started near Wolverine, headed to Mackinaw City, connected to the North Country Trail, and then finished just north of Petoskey. On Day 2, we again started near Wolverine, but finished in Grayling, using both the NCT and Shore to Shore trails. Everyone got to experience some breathtaking climbs and views! Day 3 was our traditional race to the finish, starting south of Grayling and finishing in Empire.
