Grand Island Trail 50K

Our flagship race on Grand Island in Lake Superior! The course follows the perimeter trail of the island counterclockwise up past Murray Bay and Duck Lake. At three miles the course heads eastward into the Tombolo, up into the island's thumb and then back along Trout Bay where runners can enjoy one of the most spectacular stretches of shoreline anywhere in the Great Lakes. Runners then ascend up the eastern cliffs of the island which treat runners to views of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. 

The northern half of the island features 300ft colored Jacobsville sandstone cliffs and the remote and exquisitely beautiful North Beach. The return trail on the island's western shore features remarkable vistas of Lake Superior. Much of the trail is shaded by lush hardwood forests. Exposed sections (atop cliffs) blanket runners with cool breezes off of Lake Superior. Trail includes single track, two track, and narrow dirt roads.

Great Lakes Endurance operates trail running events in the Great Lakes Region since 2000. Founded by local trail runner Jeff Crumbaugh, as of the 2026 season, the events will be operated by Aravaipa Running. We hope you'll join us for some spectacular and wild trail running races in Michigan!

Upcoming Races

Jul 25 2026
50 KM
Circumnavigation of Grand Island in Lake Superior, just off the coast of Munising, Michigan. Gorgeous white sand beaches, 300 ft amber sandstone cliffs and lush hardwood forests. Highly runable surface includes dirt forest roads, carriage trails and non-technical single track.
2,890 2,890 ft.
Mixture
6 Aid Stations
8:30 Cutoff
3 Elevation Rating
Hilly, ~2500-7500 feet in 50 miles
2 Surface Rating
Mostly groomed trail or dirt roads

Additional Distances

This event also has the following sub ultra distances

26.2 Miles 13.1 Miles

Results

Date Finishers Top Result (F) Top Result (M)
07/26/25 67 4:17:46 4:02:29
07/27/24 92 4:21:22 3:56:04
07/29/23 87 4:38:01 4:24:54
07/30/22 91 4:37:32 3:44:00
07/24/21 94 5:08:18 4:00:21
07/25/20 Race Cancelled
07/27/19 95 3:43:02 3:18:39
07/21/18 83 4:59:36 4:30:43
07/22/17 79 4:21:19 4:13:18
07/23/16 62 4:12:26 4:08:20

Weekly Newsletter

A roundup of the week's content and most recent race results. Sent once a week on Thursday.

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