Set in the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, this point-to-point/out-and-back road event pairs big-lake vistas with rolling, paved multi-use trail sections. The Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K are staged around Empire, with the longer races starting at the Dune Climb and the 5K at Empire Beach, before finishing at the water’s edge in Empire. Expect challenging hills on the Heritage Trail, plus shuttles for half and full entrants to reach the start. It’s a classic fall-color run with crisp October temps and postcard scenery.
Races
Marathon
Half Marathon
5 km
Race Date:
04 October, 2025
Organized by Race Day Events, the Sleeping Bear Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, and launches from the Dune Climb Parking Lot off Hwy 109 at Hunter Rd, Glen Arbor, Michigan, concluding at Empire Beach, Empire, Michigan.
Race Date:
04 October, 2025
Also presented by Race Day Events, the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon takes place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, starting at the Dune Climb Parking Lot near Glen Arbor and finishing in Empire, Michigan, offering a scenic, hill-lined route along the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.
Race Date:
04 October, 2025
Hosted by Race Day Events, the 5K will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, beginning and ending at Empire Beach in Empire, Michigan, and provides a relaxed, picturesque out-and-back route along Lake Michigan’s shoreline.
Weather based on historical averages.
FAQs
What is the Sleeping Bear Marathon?
How long is the Sleeping Bear Marathon?
Where does the Sleeping Bear Marathon take place?
What is the elevation gain of the Sleeping Bear Marathon?
How can I prepare for the Sleeping Bear Marathon?
How do I choose the right training plan for the Sleeping Bear Marathon?
Organized by Race Day Events, the Sleeping Bear Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, and launches from the Dune Climb Parking Lot off Hwy 109 at Hunter Rd, Glen Arbor, Michigan, concluding at Empire Beach, Empire, Michigan.
The Sleeping Bear Marathon is 42km long.
The Sleeping Bear Marathon takes place in Empire, MI, USA.
Runna classifies the Sleeping Bear Marathon elevation profile as Flat.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Sleeping Bear Marathon?
Organized by Race Day Events, the Sleeping Bear Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, and launches from the Dune Climb Parking Lot off Hwy 109 at Hunter Rd, Glen Arbor, Michigan, concluding at Empire Beach, Empire, Michigan.
How long is the Sleeping Bear Marathon?
The Sleeping Bear Marathon is 42km long.
Where does the Sleeping Bear Marathon take place?
The Sleeping Bear Marathon takes place in Empire, MI, USA.
What is the elevation gain of the Sleeping Bear Marathon?
Runna classifies the Sleeping Bear Marathon elevation profile as Flat.
How can I prepare for the Sleeping Bear Marathon?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the Sleeping Bear Marathon?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon?
How long is the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon?
Where does the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon take place?
What is the elevation gain of the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon?
How can I prepare for the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon?
How do I choose the right training plan for the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon?
Also presented by Race Day Events, the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon takes place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, starting at the Dune Climb Parking Lot near Glen Arbor and finishing in Empire, Michigan, offering a scenic, hill-lined route along the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.
The Sleeping Bear Half Marathon is 21km long.
The Sleeping Bear Half Marathon takes place in Empire, MI, USA.
Runna classifies the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon elevation profile as Flat.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon?
Also presented by Race Day Events, the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon takes place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, starting at the Dune Climb Parking Lot near Glen Arbor and finishing in Empire, Michigan, offering a scenic, hill-lined route along the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.
How long is the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon?
The Sleeping Bear Half Marathon is 21km long.
Where does the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon take place?
The Sleeping Bear Half Marathon takes place in Empire, MI, USA.
What is the elevation gain of the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon?
Runna classifies the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon elevation profile as Flat.
How can I prepare for the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Sleeping Bear 5K?
How long is the Sleeping Bear 5K?
Where does the Sleeping Bear 5K take place?
What is the elevation gain of the Sleeping Bear 5K?
How can I prepare for the Sleeping Bear 5K?
How do I choose the right training plan for the Sleeping Bear 5K?
Hosted by Race Day Events, the 5K will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, beginning and ending at Empire Beach in Empire, Michigan, and provides a relaxed, picturesque out-and-back route along Lake Michigan’s shoreline.
The Sleeping Bear 5K is 5km long.
The Sleeping Bear 5K takes place in Empire, MI, USA.
Runna classifies the Sleeping Bear 5K elevation profile as Flat.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Sleeping Bear 5K?
Hosted by Race Day Events, the 5K will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, beginning and ending at Empire Beach in Empire, Michigan, and provides a relaxed, picturesque out-and-back route along Lake Michigan’s shoreline.
How long is the Sleeping Bear 5K?
The Sleeping Bear 5K is 5km long.
Where does the Sleeping Bear 5K take place?
The Sleeping Bear 5K takes place in Empire, MI, USA.
What is the elevation gain of the Sleeping Bear 5K?
Runna classifies the Sleeping Bear 5K elevation profile as Flat.
How can I prepare for the Sleeping Bear 5K?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the Sleeping Bear 5K?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
More
Sport:
Running
Tags:
Coastal
Nature
This event listing is for informational purposes only. Runna is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Sleeping Bear Marathon or Race Day Events. All event details are based on publicly available information and are provided solely to help users discover running events. Runna does not use any official logos, images, or proprietary content from this event or its organiser. Any trademarks or names mentioned are used descriptively to identify the event in a factual manner. For the most accurate and up to date information (including to register or purchase an entry to the event), please visit the Sleeping Bear Marathon website.
