HalfRuns
Tour de TART

Tour de TART

Tour de TART offers a scenic 16-mile ride on the Leelanau Trail with post-ride dining and local brews.

Race Date

Jul 17, 2026

Location

Traverse City, MI

Quick facts

Date
Friday, July 17, 2026
Location
Traverse City, Michigan
Distance
Half marathon (13.1 mi)
Course
Point to Point
Terrain
Road
USATF certified
Not listed

Highlights

Good For

Beginner FriendlyDestination Worthy

Atmosphere

Party FinishLocal CommunityGreat Post RaceWell Supported

Course

Scenic RouteShaded

The Experience

The Tour de TART, held annually in Traverse City, Michigan, invites participants to a scenic 16-mile journey along the paved Leelanau Trail. This event, which typically takes place in July with pleasant temperatures averaging between 62–78°F, offers a unique blend of outdoor activity and community celebration.

The course winds through picturesque landscapes, featuring rolling hills, forests, orchards, and meadows, with views of streams, lakes, and ponds. Two aid stations along the route provide refreshments, ensuring a comfortable experience for all riders. The trail itself is known for its beauty, making it a delightful path for both seasoned cyclists and families.

Upon reaching the finish line at North Park in Suttons Bay, participants are treated to a festive atmosphere. A delicious meal, a cash bar with local wines and microbrews, and good company await. For convenience, a bus service returns riders to Traverse City, with bikes securely transported, ensuring a smooth end to a day of exploration and enjoyment.

Race-provided description

Get ready to roll! TART Trails is thrilled to host the annual Tour de TART on Friday, July 17, 2026. This family-friendly ride promises an evening of fun, food, and fantastic views along the Leelanau Trail. Ride the Leelanau Trail – Start at the Open Space Park and bike 16 scenic miles to North Park in Suttons Bay.Fuel Up – Enjoy two tasty snack stops along the way.Dine Bayside – Celebrate at the finish line with a delicious meal, a cash bar featuring local wine and microbrews, and great company.Easy Return – Kick back on a relaxing bus ride back to Traverse City, while your bike is safely transported in a secure truck. Start Time and Location: Riders can hit the trail anytime between 4 PM and 6:30 PM from the Open Space Park in downtown Traverse City Return Shuttle: Buses start rolling at 6 PM, with the last bus leaving at 9 PM sharp. Volunteers will keep an eye on your bike until you’re reunited back at the start. Each rider gets a numbered wristband to match their bike—no mix-ups, just smooth sailing. When Friday, July 17, 2026 Rolling start between 4:00 - 6:30 pm (riders can start anytime within that window of time!) until 9:00 pm Where Start | Open Space Park, 100 West Grandview Parkway, Traverse City, MI Finish | North Park, 601 Front Street, Suttons Bay, MI Route Ride roughly 16 miles along the paved Leelanau Trail that takes users through rolling hills, forests, orchards and meadows, and past streams, lakes, and ponds. There are two aided food and water stops along the route at Fouch Road and Bingham Road respectively.  Parking & Bathrooms Paid city parking is available to all, please follow all posted city parking rates and rules. Additoonal free parking will be available at Acrisure Insurance Agency, the Bayview Building and Leelanau Studios. Bathrooms can be found at the Cherry Bend Road trailhead, DeYoung Natural Area trailhead, Bingham Road rest stop, Suttons Bay pond/lagoon area, Suttons Bay Fourth Street trailhead, Suttons Bay beach by the marina, and at North Park in Suttons Bay. Return Transportation Riders will be transported back to Traverse City by school bus. Buses leave when full, with the first bus leaving around 6 pm and the last bus leaving at 9 pm sharp. Bikes will accompany the buses on trucks.

Pre-Event Shuttle Riders who wish to start and finish in Suttons Bay will have the opportunity to park at North Park and take the pre-ride shuttle from Suttons Bay to Traverse City. The pre-ride shuttle leaves North Park in Suttons Bay at 4 pm sharp, so please arrive early for bike loading. PLEASE NOTE This is not the post-event shuttle back to Traverse City. The post-event shuttle is available for all participants who start in Traverse City and finish in Suttons Bay. WEATHER CANCELLATION  In the event of inclement weather (thunder, lightning, threatening rain), we may postpone or cancel Tour de TART. Please check emails the morning of the event for updates. In the event of cancellation or postponement, your registration fee is non-refundable but will be considered a tax-deductible donation to TART Trails.

Course Info

Course Type

Point to Point

Terrain

road

Scenery

Forest, Lake River

Surface

Paved

Difficulty

Rolling Hills

Net Drop/km

0 m (Flat)

Separation

0.0%

Quality Score

Methodology
Heritage0/20

first year

Size0/15

no finisher counts yet

Momentum3/5

small race — neutral

Loyalty0/20

needs a few years of results

Course & details6/15

3 timing sources · 9 photos

National draw0/10

no finisher data yet

Front-pack speed0/5

no winner time yet

Weather0/10

typical high 78°F

Race Day Weather

5-year historical avg

Start (Low)

62°

Afternoon (High)

78°

Warm — hydration strategy is key, start conservatively

0.1"

Precipitation

11 mph

Wind

73%

Humidity

Race Photos

Frequently asked

When is the Tour de TART?

The Tour de TART is held on Friday, July 17, 2026, starting at 4:00 PM.

Where does the Tour de TART take place?

It takes place in Traverse City, Michigan.

What distances does the Tour de TART offer?

The half marathon (13.1 miles).

Is the Tour de TART course flat and good for a PR?

The Tour de TART is a rolling hills, point to point course.

HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.

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