
Pictured Rocks Road Race 2026
51st Annual Pictured Rocks Road Race: Lake Superior views, two 300-foot climbs.
Race Date
Jun 28, 2026
Location
Munising, MI
Quick facts
- Date
- Sunday, June 28, 2026
- Location
- Munising, Michigan
- Distance
- Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 10K
- Course
- Loop Course
- Terrain
- Mixed
- USATF certified
- Not listed
Highlights
Good For
Atmosphere
Course
The Experience
The 51st Annual Pictured Rocks Road Race returns to Munising, Michigan, on June 28, 2026, drawing about 136 runners from 14 states to the gateway of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Starting at Bayshore Park on the southern shore of Lake Superior, this half marathon offers a mix of paved roads and rustic two-track trails, with roughly three miles of dirt. The course packs two 300-foot climbs that test your legs, but the payoff is constant: gorgeous views of Lake Superior and the surrounding forest.
The atmosphere is low-key and community-driven, organized by the Munising Bay Trail Network. The field is small but growing, and the course's scenic beauty makes it a hidden gem for destination runners. Weather typically ranges from 55–69°F, with a hint of humidity and a breeze off the lake.
All finishers earn a cool medal, and participants receive a long-sleeve shirt. The post-race celebration at Bayshore Park lets you soak in the lakeside vibe. For those seeking a challenging, scenic half marathon with genuine small-town character, this is a worthy find.
Race-provided description
The 51st Annual Pictured Rocks Road Race is set for Sunday, June 28, 2026 in the scenic town of Munising, Michigan — the gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This year’s event features a Half Marathon RUN and 10K RUN/WALK, both offering a mix of paved roads and rustic two-track trails. The half marathon includes roughly 3 miles of dirt, along with two 300-foot climbs that will put your legs to the test. The 10K shares the first of these climbs along the dirt road section. While the terrain will challenge you, the gorgeous views along the course — plus a very cool finisher medal — make every step worth it. The race starts and finishes at Bayshore Park in the heart of Munising, right on the southern shores of Lake Superior. All participants receive a long-sleeve shirt, and all finishers earn a medal! New This Year: We’re introducing an Early Early Bird pricing window from December 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026. Registering early helps us plan ahead and ensure the best race experience possible. Normal early bird pricing will continue through April 30th. Group discounts are also available - $5 off/participant for groups of 3 - 10 and $10 off/participant for groups of 11 or more. Group discounts available through May 31. Please note: NEW this year the 10k Run/Walk is one event (not separate) . Registration fees will increase each month after March 31. Important: Registrations received after June 1 will not include a t-shirt size selection, as the shirt order will have already been placed. Instead, you’ll be able to choose a pair of race socks (SM/MED or LG/XL) to receive in place of the shirt.
Logistics
Race Day
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Start Time
8:00 AM
Giveaway
Long Sleeve Shirt (deadline to receive is June 1, 2026)
Start Location
355 Elm Ave, Munising, MI, 49862
Course Info
Course Type
Loop Course
Terrain
mixed
Scenery
Coastal, Forest
Surface
Dirt Trail, Paved
Difficulty
Hilly
Net Drop/km
0 m (Flat)
Separation
0.0%
Also Offers
Course Map
3 other maps for this race
Quality Score
Standout6216 years running
~93 finishers a year
growing or steady
10% returning runners
4 timing sources
runners from 14 states
winner 1:23:38
typical high 69°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
55°
Afternoon (High)
69°
Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish
0.2"
Precipitation
12 mph
Wind
84%
Humidity
Race Photos
Frequently asked
When is the Pictured Rocks Road Race 2026?
The Pictured Rocks Road Race 2026 is held on Sunday, June 28, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.
Where does the Pictured Rocks Road Race 2026 take place?
It takes place in Munising, Michigan.
What distances does the Pictured Rocks Road Race 2026 offer?
The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 10K.
Is the Pictured Rocks Road Race 2026 course flat and good for a PR?
The Pictured Rocks Road Race 2026 is a hilly, loop course course.
HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.
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