Details
Location
1124 Fallasburg Park Dr NE, Lowell, MI 49331
Time & Date
10:00 AM on Sunday, October 11, 2026
Timeline
8:15-9:35 am: packet pick-up at Fallasburg lodge/enclosed shelter
8:15: Travelin’ Toms Coffee
9:30: faith-based message near lodge by chaplain Mary
9:35: leftover shirts up for sale, exchange shirt sizes
10:00: race starts
10:15: start serving donuts and cider
10:50-11:30: awards ceremony (approx.)
Age Groups & Awards
- 15 age groups! 9 & under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+
- The overall and masters (40+) winners: $175 Merrell Money gift card and a handcrafted trophy made from Michigan hardwoods.
- Age group winners: Top 2 win a custom wood medal and a $15 or $10 Gazelle Sports gift certificate. The third place finisher will get the wood medal.
- Logo sticker/decal to all finishers. If you are a medal collector, you can have our small medal instead of the sticker.
Parking Options
- Main paved lot just south of the lodge
- Small lot near the playgroundLot across the street
- Field across the street (if dry conditions)
- Along one side of the park entrance or along Fallasburg Park Drive if there are no open spots elsewhere
- Open shelter on Covered Bridge Road
Fallasburg park map
Course
Queasy about running on trails? These trails are very smooth in general (just a few short rocky sections) and mostly flat. Perfect for a first-time trail runner!
The course is within just a few feet of 3.1 miles (5K), composed of 2.2 miles of dirt or grass and 0.9 miles of pavement but you can run on the dirt shoulder if you prefer. We have measured it with both a measuring wheel and gps. You may run the course in advance of the race at any time.
The course flows counter-clockwise starting and finishing at the lodge above and west of the Flat River. You’ll drop into the Flat River valley at the start but quickly climb out of it on a short but steep hill. You’ll cross a field and Covered Bridge road, running down the road on the left side until you get to a dirt trail on your left. Beautiful woods in there! A little climbing gets you to a scenic ridge you’ll traverse for a while. Descend back down and pop out on Covered Bridge Road where you’ll find the one and only aid station. Grab some water or Gatorade, cross Covered Bridge Road and run through the gorgeous Fallasburg Covered Bridge and fascinating historical village. Turn left at the North Country Scenic Trail and follow that beautiful stretch until you cross McPherson Bridge over the beautiful Flat River. Run south along the Flat River until you climb back up out of the valley with a tough hill but you’ll finish on the upswing!
Race DETAILS
- We’ll have a short, faith-based message near the lodge shortly before the race with a chaplain-racer (all Saturdays were booked with weddings).
- We will use waves to spread you out. You can decide when you start based on the pace signs we’ll likely hold up.
- Walkers are allowed as long as you head out at the back of the pack.
- No strollers allowed. The terrain is not suitable for strollers.
- Dogs are allowed only with walkers and they must be on leash. They are not allowed with runners due to trip hazards/congestion.
- Ear buds/headphones are strongly discouraged due to safety issues of not hearing course monitors at road crossings or runners who want to pass. Bone conduction headphones are allowed at low volumes.
- Covered Bridge Road, the one road you will run on, is not closed for the race. You will need to cross it twice and run along it for a while. Please watch for traffic, follow volunteer directions and run on the far left side of roads.
- We’ll have one aid station with water and Gatorade at about the 1.5 mile mark as you approach the covered bridge.
- Arrow signs (and utility/sprinkler flags where there are no trees) will be used to mark the course. It’s your responsibility to follow course markings or your time and place will not count. Stay to the left of utility flags.
- The first 1/2 mile will be wide and will allow you to get into a proper position based on your pace. Communicate with the runner in front of you when you want to pass and give a burst of speed to get by when vegetation or obstacles lighten up on the side.
- Awards and raffle prizes will be given out at a ceremony following the race. And of course help yourself to one or two homemade legendary Robinette’s donuts and cider!
- Need some help getting ready? Check out our flexible, doable 5K training plan provided by Stuart Coaching!
- A portion of profits will go to World Vision for clean water for those who desperately need it.
- 2025 post-race survey results: 73% ranked the race Very Good, 26% gave it a Good rating and just one person thought it was average.
Spectators
We would encourage you to invite friends and family to watch the race. We will post race maps so spectators know your route and can cheer you on from along the course if they wish (please watch for racers at all times).
Great viewing spots are the open pavilion and picnic areas along Covered Bridge Road, the McPherson pedestrian bridge (park at the disc golf lot) and anywhere in the valley by the Flat River.
Please make sure dogs are on leash.
Race T-SHIRT & Merch
RACE Tee
Order by September 27!
To keep entry fees low, the race t-shirt is an optional purchase. $15 (at cost). Long sleeve, cotton/poly blend, soft but some wicking.
OTHER MERCHANDISE
(buy online or at the race; pick up at check-in only)
- Extra Fallasburg Park 5K sticker (finisher item): $3
- Michigan Adventure Racing hoodie: $35
- Michigan Adventure Racing buff/neck gaiter: $12
- Michigan Adventure Racing pint: $12
- Michigan Adventure Racing skull cap: $20