Loop the Lake - Traverse City

SEP
4
2026
Loop the Lake is a scenic trail race around Boardman Lake near Traverse City. Choose from a 4-mile run/walk, an 8-mile run, or a 2-person relay on a course featuring pavement, boardwalks, and bridges. All participants receive a technical cap, and top finishers earn unique clay awards.
Fri 4 Sep 2026
8 miles 4 miles

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Event Information

Loop the Lake is a trail race around Boardman Lake, located just south of downtown Traverse City. The event is presented by the Traverse City Track Club and takes place on the Boardman Lake Loop Trail.

Events

The race features three event options:

  • 4 Mile Run/Walk
  • 8 Mile Run
  • 2 Person Relay (4 miles per person)

The 4 Mile event is open to both runners and walkers, while the 8 Mile event is recommended for runners only. The 4-mile distance is USATF-certified. The 8-mile individual race and the relay will be slightly longer than 8 miles.

Course Details

The course starts and finishes at Hull Park on the north side of Boardman Lake. The route follows the public Boardman Lake Loop Trail clockwise. The surface is mostly pavement, with sections of gravel, boardwalks, and bridges. The course will be open to the public during the race.

The event uses a wave start at Hull Park, where participants line up based on their estimated finish time. The entire course closes at 8:00 PM.

Participant Perks and Awards

All participants receive a Loop the Lake Racetracker technical running cap, along with snacks and beverages.

Awards are given for the 4-mile and 8-mile events. The top three overall and top three masters (40+) male and female finishers receive a custom, hand-crafted plate. The top three in 5-year age groups receive a custom clay medal.

Relay awards are given to the top male, female, coed, masters male, masters female, and masters coed teams. A masters team is defined as having a combined age of 100 years or more.

Logistics

Packet pickup begins at 4:00 PM on race day at Hull Park. Online registration remains open until 5:45 PM on race day, with QR codes available for sign-up at the event. No cash or paper registration is available.

Hull Park does not have event parking. Numerous parking options are available within walking distance, including multiple parking decks. Parking is not permitted at apartment complexes or the Brick Wheels parking lot. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

8 mi
2 Person Relay (4 Miles Each)
8 mi
8 Mile Run
4 mi
4 Mile Run/walk