Grand Island Race Information 2013

Grand Island Train Run Event Schedule

Registration

Registration is available online only. This is part of our ongoing efforts to minimize waste. The marathon historically fills early. In 2012 the half marathon filled even more quickly than the marathon. Last year the marathon filled in late March. We expect both events to fill even faster this year so register early. The marathon is limited to 300 runners and the half-marathon is limited to 200 runners. The limitations are implemented by the U.S. Forest Service to minimize environmental impact, a measure we fully support. Registration will be turned off when events reach capacity. There is no waiting list. Please do not contact Great Lakes Endurance to request entry after the event reaches capacity. Runners must register by July 14, 2013 to receive a shirt. REGISTER NOW

Packet Pick Up

Runners may pick up their packets on Friday, July 26, 3:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express, overlooking Grand Island, M-28, 2 miles west of downtown Munising. Due to environmental reasons packet pick up will be minimalist. You will receive your race number, race shirt and ferry boat ticket(s). Trail running gear and Hammer Nutrition products will be available for purchase. Runners can also attend the Interpretive Program on the Natural History of Grand Island, also held at the Holiday Inn Express (See details below). Representatives from Alger County Chamber of Commerce will be on hand to provide runners with information on mountain biking, kayaking, swimming, hiking and other opportunities for outdoor recreation in the area.

Travel & Lodging

Nearest Airport: Marquette, MI (also know as KI Sawyer International) 60 minute drive
Host Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Lakeview, Munising, MI (overlooking Grand Island).
Reservations recommended: 906.387.4800
Chamber of Commerce: 906.387.2138
Chamber of Commerce Website: www.algercounty.org

Events

Marathon

The course follows the perimeter trail of the island counterclockwise up past Murray Bay and Duck Lake.  At three miles the course heads eastward into the Tombolo, up into the island's thumb and then back along Trout Bay where runners can enjoy one of the most spectacular stretches of shoreline anywhere in the Great Lakes. Runners then ascend up the eastern cliffs of the island which treat runners to views of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The northern half of the island features 300 ft colored Jacobsville sandstone cliffs and the remote and exquisitely beautiful North Beach.   The return trail on the island’s western shore features remarkable vistas of Lake Superior. Much of the trail is shaded by lush hardwood forests.  Exposed sections (atop cliffs) blanket runners with cool breezes off of Lake Superior. Trail includes single track, two track, and narrow dirt roads. The course is well marked with colored flags, directional arrows, and mile markers.

The marathon will have a two wave start. All runners who expect to finish in over 5 hours will start in wave 1 (6:00 a.m.). All runners in wave 1 will receive finisher medallions but will not be eligible for age group awards. All runners who expect to finish in less than 5 hours will start in wave 2 (7:00 a.m.). You can indicate your wave during online registration.

Note: This is a trail marathon on a wilderness island. Do not expect large numbers of spectators and the comforts of a road marathon. Do expect extraordinary beauty.

Marathon Start: Wave 1: 6:00 a.m. Wave 2: 7:00 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2013, Williams Landing. Map

Half Marathon

Half Marathon:
The half marathon course is a scenic loop that takes runners northeast up along Murray Bay and Duck Lake and then heads eastward into the tombolo. At four miles runners head back westward on the Trout Bay Beach. Runners then ascend inland to the heavily forested highlands of the island's interior. When runners reach Echo Lake they head toward the western coastal trail and rejoin the marathon course (22 mile mark of the marathon). The remainder of the course follows west coast of the island on a gradual downhill back to William’s Landing and the finish.
Half Marathon Start: 8:00 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2013 Map

Aid Stations

The marathon will have five aid stations at 4, 7, 11, 16, and 22 miles. The half marathon will have two aid stations at 4 and 10 miles. All runners will be required to carry a 20 oz water bottle or other functional hydration system which they can refill at each station.  Aid station volunteers will have large pitchers with cold water and cold HEED (Hammer Nutrition) energy drink with electrolytes and will quickly fill your bottle or hydration system. Simply have it open and ready to fill. Hammer Gel and Endurolytes will also be available at each aid station. Blue Sky Cola will be available at the 22 mile aid station.

Time Limits

There is a six hour time limit for the marathon. his is strictly enforced due to safety reasons and the remote nature of the race course. Do not register if you cannot finish within six hours. If you expect to finish in over 5 hours sign up for a wave 1 early start (6:00 a.m.) Aid stations will close at times listed in the table below. Those runners who decide to drop out of the race are advised to drop out at an aid station where transportation back to William’s Landing will be available. A sweep mountain bike with radio will follow the last runner throughout the marathon.

Marathon Aid Station Closing Times

There is a four hour time limit for the half marathon. Please note the aid station closing times below.

Half Marathon Aid Station Closing Times

Race Fees

Race fees include:

1. Roundtrip bus transportation from your hotel or campground to the boat dock.
2. Roundtrip ferry boat tickets.
3. Custom Eco-tech race shirts (see Awards below, must register by July 13 to receive a shirt).
4. Post race refreshments.

2012 Grand Island Trail Run Fee Schedule

Online registration for all events ends at midnight on Thursday, July 25, 2013.

No refunds or participant transfers allowed. This means that once you register you will not receive a refund for any reason nor can you transfer your entry to another person. Do not contact Great Lakes Endurance for an exception to this rule. You may transfer from the marathon to the half marathon via email request of the race director ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) up until and including July 26. $25 charge for cancelled and NSF checks.

Transportation to the Island

Runners will be transported to the ferry boat dock from their hotel or campground via shuttle bus. Your ferry boat ticket also serves as your bus pass. Those runners not staying in Munising may pick up the bus at Munising High School. A ferry boat will transport runners from the boat dock to Grand Island. After the race runners will board the ferry back to the mainland. When they arrive they will be transported back to their hotel or campground. You may purchase extra ferry boat tickets ($20 each) for family & friends. You will pick up your boat ticket at packet pick up. The boat ticket will also allow you to use the shuttle bus for free. Wave 1 runners and volunteers will be assigned to the earliest departing boats. Wave 2 and Half marathon runners, and spectators will travel on subsequent departures. The ferry boat only takes about 10 minutes to reach the island. The first boat will leave at 5:20 a.m. and will travel back and forth. The shuttle bus schedule is available online.

Age Groups

Awards

Creating a Positive Experience

Grand Island is an extraordinary place. Help us keep it that way by not littering and packing out all trash. Littering by a runner or a runner’s family member will result in automatic disqualification. The course is challenging and requires runners to be well prepared. If you are not trained well, do not enter the race. The logistics of transportation to and from the island are planned to ensure smooth progress of passengers, but this requires runners to be on time for shuttle bus and ferry boat departures. The best option is to arrive early for everything. If you fail to make the boat, you start late. Important race information is now available and should be read, reviewed, and studied by participating runners. The critical information is found in three documents: 1) Race information, 2) Bus Schedule, and 3) Gear Checklist. These documents can be downloaded by clicking on the hyperlinked text. Print them if necessary and bring them with you. These documents will also be available at packet pick up. Also, bring a 20 oz water bottle - it is required in the marathon and half marathon. If you forget one, you don't race. This measure is implemented on both ecological and functional grounds. Aid stations can be up to 5-6 miles apart on this wilderness island, so the refillable water bottle will help ensure you have adequate fluids & energy in between aid stations.

Littering

If you leave any trash on the island or litter you will be disqualified and will not receive a medallion or other award. Do not expect to leave trash including plastic coffee cups, plastic beverage bottles (Gatorade, Powerade, etc), gum wrappers, food wrappers on the island. Do not throw these things in the porta-johns. Whatever you take to the island you must take back with you, including all your trash. If you have any reservations about this policy do not register for this event.

Gear Storage on the Island

There will be a large tent near the start/finish area to store your gear and protect it from the elements. The tent is not patrolled and we are not responsible for lost items.

Bikes

Bikes are not allowed on the course during the race except for volunteers. This is for runner safety. Spectators who wish to ride bikes can use the internal forest roads to access several points on the marathon and half marathon course, but must remain off the actual running course at all times.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed on the island but must be up to date on all vaccinations and be on a leash at all times. Dogs cannot be left unattended or tied up to a post or tree. All animal waste must be picked up and removed from the island. Failure to abide by this policy will result in disqualification.

iPods/MP3 Players

We advise against use of iPods and MP3 players by participants but they are not forbidden.

Natural History of Grand Island

Grand Island is a designated recreation area within the Hiawatha National Forest.  It has a rich geological, biological, and cultural history.  A US Forest Service Naturalist will provide an interpretive program on Friday July 26 at the Holiday Inn Express Lakeview, Munising, 3-7 p.m., during packet pick up.

Environmental Measures

1. Each runner must carry a 20 oz water bottle or other functional hydration system. Cups are wasteful, end up in landfills, and don’t work very well at hydrating runners. At each aid station runners can have their bottle or hydration system refilled quickly with either cold water or cold HEED via a pitcher poured by a helpful volunteer. All you have to do is open up your bottle or hydration system and request the fluid of your choice. This is an obviously superior system on ecological grounds, however, we have found it results in less spillage (less waste) and better hydration for runners (they have access to fluid between aid stations as it is always with them).
2. Shirts for all events are made from 100% recycled polyester (soda bottles). We have purchased our shirts from Greenlayer in Portland, Oregon.
3. Public transportation is provided to all runners and spectators free of charge. This means that you will be picked up at your hotel or campground and transported to the ferry boat dock. When you return you will also be transported back to your hotel. If you are not staying local, there will be bus stop at Munising High School.
4. Foods served after the marathon are either locally produced, organically grown, or both.
5. Marathon medallions are made locally from hand blown glass (Rick Shapero, Artist) or maple hardwoods harvested from the upper Great Lakes (John P. Wilson, Artist).
6. Food waste is composted and all other materials are recycled.
7. Course is marked with reusable flags that are removed after the event.
8. Proceeds from the event support native plant restoration on Grand Island and maintenance of silent sport recreation trails in the Munising area.