Overview
The first of its kind in the area, the Back 9 Endurance Run is a 12/24 Hour endurance run that takes place on a 3.68 mile loop at the historic Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor, MI. Runners will wind their way through a mix of the wooded trails (including the Back 9 Trails) and paths across the Lodge's historic, wilderness golf course. Views of Brockway Mountain and Lake Superior are seen periodically around the race course. Don't forget your headlights because the run takes place inside the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, the only dark sky park in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Register in teams of 2 or 4…or take on the challenge as a solo individual. The goal? Complete as many loops as you want or can in the given amount of time, with only one team member (or your crazy, solo self) running at a time.
Main Rules
- TEAMS- only one runner on the course at a time. A team member must begin a new lap every hour. This means if there is no team member on the course for more than one hour, your team will be considered dropped from the race. Teams must come up with a fun, creative team name…teams with boring names will be immediately disqualified (just kidding. But seriously, have fun with it! Best team name will be awarded a high-five from the race director herself).
- SOLO RUNNERS- Must begin a new loop every 2 hours. Taking a break for more than 2 hours will be considered dropped from the race. Solo runners are allowed a support crew at the gazebo. Pacers are allowed for 24 hour participants, and may begin pacing their runner at dark, through the finish of the race.
- EVERYONE- Littering on the course is strictly prohibited, you will be subject to immediate disqualification. Runners are responsible for their own warmth, tents, sleeping bags, clothing, food, hydration, outdoor survival, etc. We will provide the warm-up shack, and some food/snacks/hydration throughout the race. Each runner is responsible for entering their own time at the end of each lap on the timing board. This will be an honor system.
Spring in the Keweenaw is unpredictable. Will it snow? Will it be 70 degrees? Who knows! With this in mind, runners are responsible for planning their gear and wardrobe accordingly.
Required gear- headlamp with extra batteries, rain gear, extra socks, warm outer layer, hats and gloves.
Race officials reserve the right to cancel the race at any time due to weather. This will be a last resort option for extreme weather only. If it rains, you get wet. If it snows, make a snow angel and keep running. If it’s windy, fly a kite. Race officials reserve the right to evaluate struggling runners and make the final decision on whether they are allowed to continue. This decision will be made with the runner’s safety and desire to finish in mind. No partial laps will be counted. Runners final results will be calculated using their last completed lap.
Details
Location: Keweenaw Mountain Lodge 14252 US Hwy 41 Copper Harbor, MI 49918
Time: All races begin May 23, 2026 at 8am. The 12 hour ends at 8pm on May 23, 2026. The 24 hour ends at 8am on May 24, 2026.
Absolutely no refunds or transfers.
