The Michigan Outback Relay traces its roots back to 1992 when Nick and Bob first envisioned a race that would follow the sailboats from Port Huron to Mackinaw. However, as they explored Michigan’s landscapes, the race evolved into something greater—an ever-changing adventure through the state’s most scenic trails and backroads. Thus came the start of the Great Lakes Relay.

Each year brought new routes, fresh challenges, and a deeper appreciation for Michigan as a premier destination for trail running. Along the way, many hands helped shape the event, including Punch Metcalf and Jim Fitch, whose contributions remain an essential part of its legacy. Longtime participants Matt and Eric—who first joined in their high school and college years in the 1990s—became integral to the race’s growth.

In 2020, Nick and Bob officially partnered with Matt and Eric, rebranding the event as the Michigan Outback Relay—a name that gives a nod to Nick’s Australian roots while honoring the race’s spirit of rugged adventure.