Moonlight Bootlegger 5k - Northville, MI
About this race
Miles, Moonshine, and Music — Under the Stars
If you’re looking for a night running experience unlike anything else in Southeast Michigan, mark your calendar for May 9, 2026 and join us for the 14th annual Moonlight Bootlegger 5K at beautiful Maybury State Park in Northville, MI. Since 2012, thousands of runners have stepped into the shadows to take on this after-dark trail adventure—blending the thrill of trail running with the energy of live music and the camaraderie of a shared post-race celebration.
Inspired by the Prohibition-era bootleggers, you’ll race through the woods like you’re making a midnight run to escape the law—guided only by your headlamp, the moon, and the warm glow of 300+ tea lights marking the course. The route offers a mix of wide trails and flowing singletrack, making it perfect for experienced trail runners chasing a PR or road runners trying trails for the first time.
What to Expect:
- Date & Location: Saturday, May 9, 2026 – Maybury State Park, Northville, MI
- Start Time: 9:00 pm race start for a true night running experience
- Course: Wide trails + singletrack, well-marked and tea light-lit
- Headlamp Required: No light, no run!
- Post-Race Celebration: Live bluegrass music at the finish line
- Race Swag: Custom mason jar + two moonshine cocktails or mocktails, soft gender-specific tech shirt
- Community Vibe: Perfect for run clubs, groups, and friends who want an unforgettable night outdoors
Why Run Moonlight Bootlegger 5K?
- Unique nighttime trail running experience in Southeast Michigan
- Perfect for first-time trail runners or chasing a trail PR
- Celebrate with live bluegrass music under the stars
- Enjoy post-race cocktails or mocktails in a keepsake mason jar
- Run club friendly—gather your crew and make it a night out
- Scenic mix of wide paths and flowing singletrack lit by hundreds of tea lights
- A race that blends community, adventure, and celebration
So grab your headlamp, rally your crew, and get ready to run through the night like an outlaw. At Moonlight Bootlegger 5K, the trails are calling, the music is playing, and the moonshine is waiting for you at the finish line.
Pick your distance
Running
5k
This event is for anyone 21 and older.
5k- Under 21
This event is for anyone under 21. You will receive your commemorative mason jar but no drink tickets for alcoholic beverages.
Typical race-day weather
Based on 12 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Northville, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 6:18 AM and sets at 8:42 PM local time (EDT) in Northville on May 9, 2026 — 14h 24m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
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2026 results — Moonlight Bootlegger 5k - Northville, MI
5k · 366 finishers
| Place | Name | Time | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brad Mallory | 18:59 | 6:07 /mi |
| 2 | Brandon Hahn | 19:19 | 6:14 /mi |
| 3 | Kyle Brouwer | 20:23 | 6:34 /mi |
| 4 | Ethan Czerniak | 20:32 | 6:37 /mi |
| 5 | Matt Maciag | 20:43 | 6:41 /mi |
Every finisher is on the results page, filterable by distance, gender and age group.
All results by year
Other races near Northville
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
Amerman Family Fun Run
Haunted Hustle 5k & Monster Mile
Wicked Halloween Runs
Santa 5k Run/Walk
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Northville
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Northville 5K Races 10 races
- Northville Running Calendar 2026 13 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 17 Northville events
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