North Mitten Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & 1 MILE FUN RUN

2026 North Mitten Half Marathon, 10K , 5K &  1 Mile Fun Run   
Crystal Mountain Resort | Thompsonville, Michigan

The 12th Annual North Mitten Half Marathon, 10K & 5K returns to beautiful Crystal Mountain Resort on June 6, 2026! Bring the family and make it a weekend getaway in Northern Michigan.

Advanced lodging reservations are required. We recommend booking early.
Use discount code MITTEN for a special room rate.  Visit https://www.crystalmountain.com/reservations/?pid=24127

While you’re here, be sure to:

• Explore downtown Frankfort
• Visit the Lake Michigan beaches
• Head north to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
• Celebrate race day with a cold refreshment—compliments of Storm Cloud Brewery 

Race Details

• Courses include a mix of open trail, dirt road, and pavement
• Routes are primarily flat and do not climb the mountain
• Perfect for beginners and seasoned runners alike
• Chip-timed event 
• All finishers receive a custom wooden finisher medal

All final race details will be posted on the website and emailed in the racers guide before the race. 

Event Schedule

Friday, June 5th

• 4;00 pm -6;00 pm        Packet pick up      Crystal Mountain - Mountain View

Saturday, June 6th

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

Packet Pick-Up

Packet pick-up will be held at the Crystal Mountain - Mountain View Room on Friday and Saturday.  It is highly encouraged that you pick packets up on Friday. If you must pick up on Saturday, plan to arrive 60 minutes prior to race time.  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.    

Awards

All Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k athletes receive a unique wood finisher medal. The top overall male and female in each race receive a hydration backpack and prize pack. Prizes are awarded to the top 3 in each age category.  All participants are entered to win a RIVER KAYAK! 

Age Groups
14 & 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+

A live awards ceremony will take place at the tent at 10:15 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 North Mitten sticker. 

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 North Mitten Race.

·       To maintain a clean and litter free trail and venue.
·       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

We are excited to announce that North Mitten will once again partner with North Sky Raptor Sanctuary for the 2026 North Mitten race. North Mitten will donate a portion of the Half Marathon, 10k and 5k proceeds and all proceeds from the 1 Mile Fun Run to North Sky Raptor Sanctuary. Visit www.northskyraptor.org to learn more about their amazing work!   

Volunteers

Join us!  North Mitten is seeking volunteers and creative groups to plant trees, cover aid stations, street crossings and registration.  For more information, please visit the volunteer tab above or contact North Mitten at jdavidson@northmittenevents.com

Timing provided by:  TBD

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

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING NORTH MITTEN EVENTS.

Half Marathon Map

10K Map

5K Map

HELP & FAQ

Will late registration be available?
We hope the race will fill up.  If not, late registration will be available at packet pick up times. 

Where do we park on race day?
The race starts and finishes at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville.  Park in the large skier lot to the north. Follow event parking signs.  

How hilly is the course?
All courses start on a downhill and end on a short uphill climb.  Review the maps for elevation change per course.  

What are the age groups for awards?
The following age groups apply for male and female for all events: 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

What kind of food & drink will be at the aid stations? Will there be cups?   

Runners are highly encouraged to carry hydration packs or handheld water bottles to fill at aid station and to avoid using single use cups.  Compostable cups will be provided as needed. Stations will be stocked with first aid, water, Gatorade and crackers. Restrooms indicated below.   Aid stations and restroom locations are approximate on the map and subject to change.

 Aid station locations- Half Marathon - mile 2.1, mile 3.6 (restroom), mile 6.7 (restroom) & mile 10.7 (restroom).   10k- mile 2.1 and mile 4 (restroom).  5k - mile 1.2.

May I walk? Is there a time limit?
Yes, you may walk! The course closes for all races at 12 p.m., which is a 4-hour limit for the half marathon. Athletes that are on course past the closure time may be pulled from the course. We do not offer an early start option for any of the distances.

Are the roads closed to vehicle traffic?
No. All roads are open to vehicle traffic on race day, however much of the race takes place on the trails. Volunteers and/ or law enforcement will be stationed at road crossings to aid in athlete crossing, but athletes should be prepared to stop if needed and always look for traffic.

Can I pick up a packet for my friend/family member?
You may pick up a packet for family members or friends, but in an effort to keep our event safe and secure, you must present a copy of their ID (a photo works great). Have your friend/family member text/email you a photo of their ID, and bring that with you to packet pick up and you’ll be good to go.

What is the minimum age to participate?
The minimum age to participate in the half marathon is 12 years old.  The 10k and 5k is open to all ages.  Be aware that everyone 14 and under is grouped together in one age category. 

Are there finisher medals?
Yes, All Half Marathon, 10k and 5k finishers will receive a finisher medal. The 1 Mile Fun Run finishers receive bib and finisher sticker.  All pre-registered  fun runners are entered into the Kayak drawing. 

Is there a race shirt?
Yes! You have the option to skip the tee and plant a tree instead. North Mitten events will provide you with a Sapling at packet pick up to take home and plant or North Mitten will plant it for you!  Shirt and Tree supplies are limited! Register early to guarantee your size.  

Are spectators allowed along the course?
Yes! Runners start and finish near the Clipper Chairlift at Crystal Mountain.   While there is access to the Trail at the road crossings indicated on the Trail map, there is limited designated parking. Spectators are asked to use caution when parking along the road. Spectators are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the course map.  

Are strollers or dogs allowed in the race?
Strollers and dogs are allowed at the event but sorry not on course. 

Is there a virtual option to this race?

At this time, we are not offering a virtual option and only offering the in-person race.  Run with us! 

What is the refund policy? 

The North Mitten Half Marathon, 10k & 5K is not able to offer refunds for any reason. We offer all participants the opportunity to transfer their registration to another person or event, change their distance or defer to next year until June 1. This includes those who experience illness, injury or any other condition that may prevent them from participating in the event. Race registration is non-refundable.  

How do I transfer my registration?

You may transfer from one event distance to another until June 1 as long as space remains. There are no refunds for entry fee differences.    Log into your runsignup account and edit registration. Use switch event tab to change distances.     

May I defer my registration to next year? 

Yes, you may transfer from this year to next year until June 1st for a $10 fee. Log into your runsignup account and edit registration. Use Defer Registration tab. 

May I transfer my bib to another person? 

Yes, you may transfer your bib to another person until June 1st for a $10 fee.  Log into your runsignup account and edit registration.  Use Participant Transfer tab.

What do I need to do if I deferred last year to this year?       

Nothing. You will get a registration confirmation after the 1st of the year. 

What is the Crystal Mountain room discount code? 

Mitten

 2026 Racer Guide will be posted by June 1.

Many sponsorship opportunities are available for the North Mitten Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and 1 mile fun run!   

• GENERIC EVENT SPONSORS 
• AWARD SPONSORS
• FINISH LINE FOOD SPONSOR IN KIND OR DOLLAR DONATION
• SUPPLY SPONSOR
• $100 Gift Sponsorships available in store tab

For more information and a sponsorship packet, contact North Mitten Events at jdavidson@northmittenevents.com