Leif's Run

OCT
10
2026
Celebrate Viking history in Norway Michigan with competitive 5K and 10K races. This annual October festival features a parade and a traditional Viking boat burning for a unique race weekend experience.
Sat 10 Oct 2026
10 kilometers 5 kilometers

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Event Overview

Leif's Run is a competitive racing event held annually in Norway, Michigan, as part of the broader Leif Erikson Festival. This festival takes place every October to celebrate the regional Viking history and coincides with the federally recognized Leif Erikson Day. The event attracts participants to the downtown area, specifically around Viking Square at the corner of Main Street and US Highway 2.

The athletic competitions offer two primary distances:

  • 5K race
  • 10K race

The races are integrated into a weekend of diverse community activities. While the focus remains on the running events, the festival grounds feature a variety of historical and seasonal attractions. These include Viking demonstrations, antique and art displays, and musical performances. The event environment also includes fall produce vendors and family-oriented activities such as horse rides, wagon rides, and a mini zoo.

Participants and spectators can also observe traditional festival highlights like the Leif Erikson Parade and the "Funeral Pyre" Viking boat burning, which occurs during the Night of the Viking. The event is organized in coordination with the City of Norway and serves as a central component of the community's fall heritage celebrations. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

10 km
10k
5 km