Grand Island Trail Marathon
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Grand Island Trail Runs
Grand Island Trail Runs take place on Grand Island, offshore from Munising, Michigan, along the Lake Superior shoreline. The event offers three distances that follow island trails and coastal sections and highlight the island’s natural features.
- 50K - 31.8 miles, 1,891 feet total elevation gain, 8.5 hour time limit
- Marathon - 27 miles, 1,505 feet total elevation gain, 7.5 hour time limit
- Half Marathon - 14.64 miles, 415 feet total elevation gain, 4 hour time limit
Courses use singletrack, two track, narrow dirt roads and stretches of sandy beach. Notable landmarks on the routes include Trout Bay, Echo Lake, the island’s tombolo, and colored Jacobsville sandstone cliffs. Much of the island is shaded by hardwood and hemlock forests, and several stretches provide views across Lake Superior and toward Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Trails are marked with colored flags, directional arrows and mile markers.
Aid stations are located along the 50K and marathon courses and the half marathon; all runners are required to carry a 20 ounce water bottle or other functional hydration system that can be refilled at aid stations. Aid station offerings listed for 2026 include water, an electrolyte drink, and packaged gels. Runners travel to the island by ferry; the race number also serves as the round trip shuttle and ferry pass and the ferry crossing takes about ten minutes. Entrant limit is 500 runners. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
