How to Go to the Keweenaw Trail Running Festival

The Keweenaw Trail Running Festival is held every July along the banks of Lake Superior, on the Keweenaw peninsula in Upper Michigan. The festival consists of several races with plenty of organic food available to the participants.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Trail running shoes
• Trail running shorts
• Backpack
• Water
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Registration fee

1. Register for the Keweenaw Trail Running Festival. While registration is accepted via fax, mail and in person up to the day before the race, registration is not allowed once the festival begins. When you register, you can choose the specific races in which you want to compete, such as the 10K and 25K races, the 5.8K hill climb or the 2K kids' race.
2. Make travel arrangements early. Since the 2-day event is located in a fairly remote region, with the nearest international airport in Duluth, Minnesota, your best bet may be to pack your vehicle with camping gear and find a local campground. Small motels and motor lodges dot the region, but they fill up quickly in the days leading up to the festival.
3. Choose the right equipment. You'll need running shoes and clothing that have been specially designed for trail running. Trail running shoes have knobbier soles that are tough and durable, while the appropriate clothing will absorb perspiration and keep your body dry. In addition, you may need a small backpack to carry water, sunscreen and sunglasses.
4. Enjoy the food events when you go to the Keweenaw Trail Running Festival. The festival promotes organic foods, and you can sample many healthy recipes before and after your race. The organic lasagna dinner, which is held after the end of the race, is a highlight for many attendees.
5. Log onto the website for the Keweenaw Trail Running Festival to register for the races and to get more information about the schedule of events (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• While most of the races, with the exception of the kids' 2K, are open to all registrants, you will be divided into 5-year age classes: 19 and under, 20 to 24, 25 to 29 and so on.
• The mosquitoes in this part of the country are large and aggressive. Bring plenty of insect repellent.