Grand Island Trail Marathon

Grand Island Trail Runs : event overview

The Grand Island Trail Runs take place on Grand Island, offshore from Munising, Michigan, on July 25, 2026. The event offers the following distances:

• 50K
• Marathon
• Half Marathon

Total participant limit for the event is 500 runners. Awards include age-group prizes and a finisher medallion for all distances. Race organizers listed include Great Lakes Endurance and Aravaipa Running.

Course, logistics and support

All courses follow trails around and across the island. Routes use single track, two-track and narrow dirt roads, and include sections of sandy beach. Key course features named in the route descriptions are Murray Bay, Duck Lake, the island tombolo, Trout Bay, Echo Lake, the island summit, 100-300 ft Jacobsville sandstone cliffs, North Beach, and western coastal vistas of Lake Superior. The 50K includes an inland section to Echo Lake and the summit and uses a five-mile segment of dirt forest road.

Aid stations are placed on-course: the 50K and marathon use aid points at approximately 4, 7, 11, 16, 22 and 27 miles; the half marathon has aid at about 4 and 9 miles. All runners are required to carry a refillable 20 oz water bottle or other functional hydration system. Runners are transported to the ferry dock by shuttle from designated pickup locations; the race number serves as the round-trip shuttle and ferry pass. A large tent is provided near the start/finish for gear storage. Dogs are allowed on the shuttle, ferry and start/finish area but are not allowed on the race course. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.