Betsie Valley Trail Run

Celebrate summer and welcome fall with the new Betsie Valley Trail Half Marathon, 10k , 5k & 1 Mile Fun Run.  The Half Marathon, 10k and 5k courses are out and back on the Betsie Valley Trail starting in Thompsonville at the Webber Sports Complex.  The 1 Mile Fun Run is held on the ballfield onto the trail and back. 

The Betsie Valley Trail offers an excellent flat aggregate trail surface that is excellent for runners.  The trail offers beautiful views as it crosses both Dair Creek and the Betsie River. The trail passes through a wetland and mile after mile of pine and hardwood upland forests. The Betsie Valley Trail is built on the bed of the former Ann Arbor Railroad and now part of the Rails to Trails system. Learn more at www.betsievalleytrail.org

North Mitten events supports and promotes the Betsie Valley Trail as a valued community resource. A portion of the proceeds from Half Marathon, 10k & 5k  AND all the proceeds from the 1 Mile Fun Run is donated to the Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail. Add a fun run to any race distance for just $10. 

Registration

Online Registration opens June 1st -September 24th at 8pm or until space is filled.   Onsite registration is available at packet pick up if space remains.

Half Marathon, 10k and 5k registration fee includes Tee or Tree, timing (chip timing will be added if participation is over 100 per race), live results/tracking, custom bib, custom finisher medal and post-race food.

1 Mile Fun Run registration fee includes custom bib and a Betsie Valley Trail sticker! The Fun Run is not timed.

All registrants receive a beautiful in person running course and an experience we hope you will cherish forever! 

Event Schedule

Friday  Sept 25

• 4pm -6pm                   Packet pick-up 

Saturday Sept 26

• 7am -830am              Late packet pick up
  8:00am                        Half Marathon start
  8:30am                        10k start
  9:am                            5k start
  9:30am                        Fun Run late registration and bib pick up.
  10:15am                      Live awards
  11:00am                      1 Mile Fun Run at the ballpark
  12:00pm                      Course closes

Packet Pick Up

Packet pick-up will be held at the Webber Sports Complex Friday September 25, from 4pm-6pm and Saturday September 26, from 7am-830am only.  It is highly encouraged that you pick packets up Friday.  Fun Run participants are NOT required to attend packet pick up. Fun run bibs will be available for pick up on race day at the event.

Race Parking 

The race starts and finishes in Thompsonville at the Webber Sports Complex/ ballfield.  Trail-side parking is available in the ballfield or one block over in downtown Thompsonville. 

Lodging, dining and more

While in Thompsonville visit the historic marker at the Diamond Crossing. This marker serves to underscore the significance of the crossing of the Pere Marquette and Ann Arbor railroads during the 19th century.

The diamond-shaped crossing of steel rails and the subsequent rail traffic that it facilitated was instrumental in the growth and economic development of Thompsonville, Benzie County and in northern lower Michigan, in the late 19th and early 20th century. The crossing was situated approximately 124 feet south of Thompson Road.

Now a remote area, Thompsonville is best known for the abundance of recreation opportunities.

Thompsonville Lodging 

• ·       Crystal Mountain Resort 
• ·       Mountain Valley Lodge
• ·       Betsie River Campground

Thompsonville Dining 

•         231 Bar and Grill
• ·       Geno’s Sports Bar and Grill
• ·       Rosie's Country Café
• ·       Laughing Horse Saloon 

Or visit Beulah, Benzonia, Frankfort, Interlochen, Manistee or Traverse City for more lodging and dining options! 

Awards

All Half Marathon, 10k and 5k athletes receive a finisher medal. The top overall male and female in each race receive a gift certificate and more! Awards given to the top 3 in each age category. 

• 14 and under, 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 and older.

A live awards ceremony will take place at the ballpark at 10:30 am. Awards will be available until 12am. Please plan to pick up your award. Awards will not be sent.

All 1 MILE FUN RUN participants receive a custom bib and a Betsie Valley Trail sticker.  All FUN RUN participants are entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card.

Event Rules

• ·       Be respectful of the trail, nature, private property and others.
• ·       No littering 
• ·       No dogs or strollers on course
• ·       Headsets are allowed but not encouraged for your safety.
• ·       Smile, soak it in and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty. It’s a rule. 😊 

POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS

North Mitten events is dedicated to People and Planet health. Our goal is to spread positive people and planet impressions in our community and beyond.

North Mitten pledges these eco-conscience and community-based efforts for the Betsie Valley Trail Run.

• ·       To maintain a clean and litter free trail and sports complex.
• ·       To be consumer conscience and provide only products of use.
• ·       To discourage waste and encourage runners to carry water bottles or hydration systems instead of using aid station cups.
• ·       To avoid plastic and single use products.
• ·       To provide only compostable supplies when single use is unavoidable.
• ·       To compost, reuse or recycle food and supplies.
• ·       To source food and supplies locally as much as possible.  
• ·       To donate one tree per participant to the North Mitten PLANT A TREE project.

GIVING BACK

A portion of the Half Marathon, 10k and 5k proceeds and all proceeds from the 1 Mile Fun Run is donated to the Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail. Visit www.betsievalleytrail.org to learn more about the trail. 

VOLUNTEERS

We need you. The Betsie Valley Trail Run is seeking volunteers and creative groups to cover aid stations, street crossings and registration.  For more information, please visit the volunteer tab (coming soon) or contact North Mitten at jdavidson@northmittenevents.com

Race Event provided by: North Mitten LLC. .People and Planet Heath  .Events. Adventure. Education. 

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THE BETSIE VALLEY TRAIL RUN!

Join fellow runners on September 26, 2026 for the Betsie Valley Trail Run. It's a fantastic Half-Marathon, 10K, 5K, 1.6K featuring a flat and fast course in Thompsonville.