The Course
2025 Course Plans
For 2025, we are planning a course that hits on all the major trails in the lower peninsula. We will be spending time on the Shore to Shore, North Country Trail, and the High Country Pathway. Some notable legs that make their return are the Kuzmik Krusher, Swamp Run, and parts of Tommy Toyota. For planning purposes, we are starting in Grayling on Day 1, in Onaway on Day 2, and then on Day 3 we will start like we did last year just west of Onaway and head back to Rogers City for the finish.
Day 1
Day 1 will start right at Grayling High School and begin with a leg aptly named Enter Sandman. We will connect to the Shore to Shore Trail (StS) and then transfer to the North Country Trail (NCT). This day is going to have several unique challenges. Terrain will be mixed as we move from trail to trail. Anyone that has been on the StS knows to expect sand and hills. Once we get to the NCT the footing improves, but navigation becomes the adventure. Need to bring a team that can follow directions this year. Lots of twists and turns. Just need to follow the blue marks. Easier said than done.
Day 2
Day 2 will also have a high school start, but this time at Onaway HS. We are going to attempt something new in the history of the relay. We've always touched on parts of the High Country Pathway in the past, but now we are going to complete the whole loop in one day! The Pigeon River Forest is home of the Swamp Run, but we also get scenic views as we pass through Rattlesnake Hill. Chest high ferns, and depending on the weather, shoe sucking mud trails await us. I'm sure it'll be dry though this year...
Day 3
For Day 3 we are heading back to Rogers City. Might have a few adjustments from last year, but expect some relief on the terrain and get a chance to open up that stride. The start will be just west of Onaway as we did in 2024. Day 3 will see some dirt roads, trail, rail to trail, and a scenic finish along Lake Huron in Rogers City. This will cap off a weekend of some possibly grueling conditions, just as one would expect from the Michigan Outback Relay!