2026 Ultra Bird Trail Races & RUCK Challenge
Saturday, October 10, 2026
📍 Pigeon Creek County Park – West Olive, Michigan
Push your limits and carry the mission at the 2026 Ultra Bird Trail Races & RUCK Challenge, a fall endurance event featuring trail running and rucking challenges—all benefiting the Egress Endurance Project. Designed to test grit, resilience, and purpose, Ultra Bird brings athletes together for a full day on the trails in support of recovery, community, and transformation through movement.
Race & Challenge Options
- Trail Running Events
- 12-Hour Trail Race – Run as many miles as you can within the time limit
- 6-Hour Trail Race – A true endurance test on scenic singletrack
- 10K Trail Race – Fast, challenging, and fun fall trail racing
- 5K Trail Race – A strong effort on beautiful wooded terrain
- RUCK Challenge Events
- 6-Hour RUCK Challenge – Participants must carry a minimum 20-lb ruck or weighted vest
- 3-Hour RUCK Challenge – A shorter but demanding weighted endurance effort
The Course
All events take place on a ~5K loop at Pigeon Creek County Park, featuring rolling terrain, wooded trails, and peak fall color. The looped course allows for frequent aid-station access, crew support, and spectator engagement throughout the day.
Why We Run & Ruck
Every step taken at Ultra Bird directly supports the Egress Endurance Project, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals battling addiction through outdoor movement, structured endurance challenges, and meaningful community. This event exists to prove that endurance—both physical and personal—can be a powerful tool for change.
Event Features
- Fully stocked aid station for timed events
- Finisher medals for all participants
- Egress Endurance patches and event swag
- Optional event apparel
- Supportive, mission-driven atmosphere
Whether you’re chasing miles, pushing through the hours, or carrying weight with purpose, Ultra Bird is more than a race—it’s a statement of perseverance, hope, and forward motion.
Course Details
All runners will start and finish at the Pigeon Creek Ski Lodge. Runners will race on a 5k loop on the well groomed and scenic trails of Pigeon Creek. Elevation gain per loop is around 165 ft. One "bigger" steady climb with a big downhill per loop.
Note: The park will still be open to the public during the event. Signage and marked trails will be in place.
Race Accommodations
Parking will be available on-site at Pigeon Creek County Park within walking distance of the start/finish. Address for Pigeon Creek Park: 12524 Stanton Street, West Olive, MI 49460. There will be an aid station at the start/finish as well as a place for "drop bags". Hydration, trail snacks/food (Pre-packaged), and volunteers will be available. Bathrooms will be at the start/finish. Hotels are available within a 10-mile radius in Holland, MI.
Pacers
Pacers ARE allowed for the 12 and 6 hour events!
12 & 6 Hour Rules
Start Times: 12 HR race starts at 8:00am, 6 HR race starts at 8:00am.
LAST LOOP RULE: If you come into the Start/Finish 15 Minutes before cut off, you may elect to go out for one (1) final loop. You MUST start your final loop AT or BEFORE 15 minutes before the end of your event.
DROPPING: You may drop AT ANY TIME.
Packet Pick Up
Saturday, Oct. 10 (RACE DAY) at the Pigeon Creek Lodge. 7:00 AM - 7:50 AM. 5K & 10K runners can pick up their bib’s between 8:15 AM and 8:50 AM.
12 & 6 HR Requirements
All 12 & 6 HR runners will need to bring a headlamp.
Cancellation, Refunds and Bib-Transfers
This event will be held rain or shine! There are NO refunds. Bibs may be transferred to another runner or to another Egress Endurance Event.
Email [email protected] for transfers.
Questions
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.egressendurance.org
Social Media: @egressendurance (IG), @egressenduranceevents (FB)
