Freighter Festival of Races

Frozen Freighter Races : Sault Sainte Marie

Yooper Running Company stages the third annual Frozen Freighter Races in downtown Sault Sainte Marie with start and finish at the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours building at 515 E Portage Ave, next to Pullar Ice Arena and the Museum Ship Valley Camp. The courses run east along the St. Marys River to provide views of upbound and downbound freighters.

Distances:

• 5K 3.1 miles
• 10K

A participant cap will be determined 4 to 6 weeks before race day. Registration prices for the 5K and 10K vary by month: 2026 $20 / $25, January $25 / $30, February $30 / $35, March $35 / $40, Race Day $40 / $45. A long sleeve t-shirt option is available for $20; select sizes will be for sale at packet pickup for exact cash or Venmo.

Packet pickup is offered the evening before at the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours and on race day near the start area. There is parking at Museum Ship Valley Camp, Pullar Stadium, and a large blue pole barn across from the boat tours; participants are asked not to park at the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours building. Portage Avenue between Johnston and Barbeau Streets will be closed for the event between 8:45am and 12:00pm. The remainder of the course remains open to traffic with guidance to use the bike lanes.

All finishers receive a freighter medal. Overall awards are presented for gender, masters, and grand masters, with overall gender winners receiving two tickets to a Famous Soo Locks Boat Tour. Age group first place awards cover 0-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80+. Indoor restrooms are available inside the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours building within 50 meters of the start/finish. Aid stations with water, Gatorade, and snacks will be located at the 5K and 10K turnarounds. Organizers will recruit volunteers for packet pickup, aid stations, and awards and offer free or discounted entries for volunteers. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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