Thumb Coast Ultra
Caseville, United States • 25 Apr 2026
Run Across Michigan's Thumb
The Thumb Coast Ultra & Relay is a spring ultramarathon event taking place on April 25, 2026. The event features several endurance categories, including point-to-point races and out-and-back courses across the rural landscape of Michigan's Thumb region. Participants move primarily along dirt and unimproved rural roads between Harbor Beach and Caseville.
The event offers the following distances and formats:
- 50 Mile: A point-to-point race from Lake Huron in Harbor Beach to Saginaw Bay in Caseville.
- 50K: A flat out-and-back course with a start and finish located in Caseville.
- 50 Mile Relay: A team-based version of the full point-to-point distance.
- 50 Mile Ruck: A weighted hiking category for individuals carrying 20 to 30 lbs.
- 50K Ruck: A weighted hiking category for individuals carrying 20 to 30 lbs.
- Virtual Options: Remote participation for both the 50 Mile and 50K distances.
The routes are characterized by minimal elevation changes, with the 50 Mile course featuring approximately 500 feet of gain and the 50K course featuring 300 feet of gain. The event includes established cutoff times to accommodate various paces.
Participants in the ruck divisions are weighed prior to the start. Requirements are based on body weight, where those under 150 lbs carry a 20 lb pack and those over 150 lbs carry a 30 lb pack. Runners in the 50 Mile category who reach the finish in Caseville before sunset receive a specific prize for finishing during daylight hours. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.