Trenton Summerfest Half Marathon, 8K, and 5K

 

Trenton Summerfest Half Marathon, 8K, and 5K – June 27, 2026

Looking for a fast, scenic early-summer race in Southeast Michigan? Trenton Summerfest Half Marathon, 8K, and 5K on June 27, 2026 features USATF-certified courses, flat and runner-friendly routes, and a welcoming atmosphere for every pace. The Half Marathon starts early to help athletes beat the heat, while the 8K and 5K begin a bit later—ideal options whether you’re chasing a PR or enjoying a fun run or walk with friends.

Run through Elizabeth Park, along the river in Trenton, and—if you're taking on 13.1—through Gibraltar on a course known for smooth organization, great support, and well-stocked aid stations. With low elevation gain, beautiful scenery, and strong community energy, this is a perfect way to kick off your summer racing season.

Why runners choose Trenton Summerfest:

• All distances are USATF-certified
• Early Half Marathon start helps athletes beat the heat
• PR-friendly Half Marathon with just 96’ of elevation gain
• Scenic 8K with rolling variety
• Fast, flat 5K great for runners and walkers
• Beautiful routes through Downriver - Elizabeth Park, Trenton, and Gibraltar
• Welcoming environment for all paces
• Strong on-course support and great awards
• Part of the Trivium Michigan Mega Medal Series
   

Part of the Trivium Michigan Mega Medal Series

Trenton Summerfest is the second race in the six-race Trivium Michigan Mega Medal Series. Register once, run your chosen distances, and earn a medal at each event—each one connecting magnetically at year’s end to form a single giant Mega Medal. Run in-person or virtually, depending on your goals and schedule.

2026 Mega Medal Series Lineup

• Prove It 5K & 10K – April 18, 2026 · Milford, MI
• Trenton Summerfest Half Marathon, 8K, & 5K – June 27, 2026 · Trenton, MI
• Dearborn Decades 5K – August 9, 2026 · Dearborn, MI
• Run the 313 5K – August 22, 2026 · Detroit, MI
• Growler Gallop Atwater 10 Mile & 5K – September 27, 2026 · Detroit, MI
• Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon & 7.5 Miler – November 27, 2026 · Commerce Township, MI

We love this race and its amazing course. There aren’t many races downriver anymore, but downtown Trenton has a long history with endurance running, and we aim to revive it!

The 5K spends most of its time in Elizabeth Park, before heading down Riverside Dr. The course has rolling hills with a long flat section once you exit the park. The course has two aid stations and is USATF Certified.

Click here for the course map on Strava.

• Packet Pickup: 6:00 am – 7:45 am
• 8K and 5K Race Start: 7:45 am
• Awards: 9:25 am (approx.)
• Course Cutoff: 10:30 AM

 

Course Records

We love this race and its amazing course. There aren’t many races downriver anymore, but downtown Trenton has a long history with endurance running, and we aim to revive it!

The 8K has a storied history in Trenton. Athletes start out with a rolling hill loop in gorgeous Elizabeth Park, then run along flat Riverside Drive with views of the Detroit River before entering the festival atmosphere of downtown Trenton. Runners do a short out and back on the Downriver Linked Greenway before reentering Elizabeth Park for a loop into the finish. This course will have 3 aid stations and is USATF certified. This is a gorgeous, fast race course.

Click here for a course map on Strava.

Packet Pickup: 6:00 am – 7:45 am

8K and 5K Race Start: 7:45 am

Awards: 9:25 am (approx.)

Course Cutoff: 10:30 AM

 

Course Records

Michigan

Mega Medal Series

Prove It 5K/10K:  April 18, 2026 at the GM Milford Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan

Trenton Summerfest Half Marthon, 8K, & 5K:  June 27, 2026 at Elizabeth Park in Trenton, Michigan

Dearborn Decades 5K:  August 9, 2026 at Ford Field Park in Dearborn, Michigan

Run the 313 5K:  August 22, 2026 at Palmer Park in Detroit, Michigan

Growler Gallop Atwater 10 Mile & 5K:  September 27, 2026 at Atwater Brewery in Detroit, Michigan

Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon & 7.5 Mile:  November 27, 2026 at Proud Lake Rec Area in Commerce Township, Michigan

 

Trail

Winter Trail Fest (WTF) East Half Marathon & 5 Mile:  February 14, 2026 at Island Lake Rec Area in Brighton, Michigan

Winter Trail Fest (WTF) West Half Marathon & 5 Mile:  February 21, 2026 at Yankee Springs Rec Area in Middleville, Michigan

Carpe Diem Carpe Noctem Morning & Evening Half Marathon & 10K:  April 11, 2026 at Proud Lake Rec Area in Commerce Township, Michigan

Summer Trail Fest Ultra (STFU) 50 Mile, 50K, Half Marathon, & 5 Mile:  June 13, 2026 Sleepy Hollow Rec Area in Laingsburg, Michigan

Moonlight Bootlegger 5k:  May 9, 2026 at Maybury State Park in Northville, Michigan

Wolverine State 100 100M, 100K, 100M Relay, & 50K:  October 10-11, 2026 from Petoskey to Alpena in Northern Michigan

 

Road

Thumb Coast Ultra & Relay 50M, 50K, & 50M Relay:  April 25, 2026 from Harbor Beach to Caseville in Michigan's Thumb

Rock CF Thumb Coast Marathon, Half Marathon, & 5K:  November 8, 2026 from Caseville to Port Austin in Michigan's Thumb

 

North Carolina

Road Mega Medal Series

Only Fools Run Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K:  March 28, 2026 at Jaycee Park in Greensboro, North Carolina

Pig Pounder Brewery 5K:  April 12, 2026 at the Pig Pounder Brewery in Greensboro, North Carolina

Elm Street Run Festival:  May 9, 2026 at LeBauer Park in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina

Greensboro Distilling Speakeasy 5k:  June 13, 2026 at Greensboro Distilling Co. and SouthEnd Brewing in Greensboro, North Carolina

Greensboro Half Marathon, 5K, & 1 Mile:  November 21, 2026 starting at Battleground Ave in Greensboro, North Carolina

 

Trail Mega Medal Series

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Half Marathon & 5 Mile:  January 17, 2026 at Northeast Park in Gibsonville, North Carolina

Northern Trails 17 Mile, 10 Mile & 5 Mile:  March 7, 2026 at Northern Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina

Owls Roost Rumble Half Marathon & 4 Mile:  April 25, 2026 at Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro, North Carolina

Triple Lakes Trail Race 40 Mile, Marathon, & Half Marathon: October 24, 2026 at Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro, North Carolina

Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon and 7.5 Miler: November 27, 2026 at Snow Camp, North Carolina

 

Multisport Mega Medal Series

Belews Lake Sprint Triathlon & Duathlon: April 18, 2026 at Belews Lake Marina in Stokesdale, North Carolina

Big Mack Sprint Triathlon:  June 20th, 2026 at Lake Cammack in Burlington, North Carolina

High Point Sprint Triathlon:  August 8, 2026 at Oak Hollow Marina in High Point, North Carolina

Belews Lake Olympic Triathlon & Duathlon:  September 12, 2026 at Belews Lake Marina in Stokesdale, North Carolina

Nat Greene's Revenge Triathlon & Duathlon: October 3, 2026 at Lake Brandt Marina in Greensboro, North Carolina

 

Multisport

Northeast Park Duathlon:  February 28, 2026 at Northeast Park in Gibsonville, North Carolina

 

Trail

Groundhog’s Lap Race: January 31, 2026 at Haw River State Park, North Carolina

Moonlight Bootlegger 5K:  May 2, 2026 at Hagan Stone Park in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina

Carpe Diem Carpe Noctem Morning & Evening Half Marathon & 10K:  September 12, 2026 at Hagan-Stone Park in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina

Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock Ultra & Relay:  September 19, 2026 in Danbury, North Carolina

 

Road

Running of the Lights:  January 1st at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, North Carolina

Blackbeard's Revenge 100 Ultra & Relay 100M, 100K, & 100M Relay:  March 21-22, 2026 in the Outer Banks in Corolla, North Carolina

 

Pennsylvania

End of the Road Half Marathon & One Tunnel 4 Mile:  October 24-25, 2026 on the old Pennsylvania Turnpike in Waterfall, Pennsylvania

 

West Virginia

Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay 50M, 50K, & 50M Relay:  May 17, 2026 in New River Gorge National Park, running from Montgomery to Thurmond, West Virginia

Check out this comprehensive athlete guide to answer any nagging questions you may have about the race. If you can't find an answer here, shoot us a message at info@triviumracing.com!

 

Updated 11/20/2025 HG

If your team has 10+ members registered two weeks before race day, you’ll enjoy:

• A team tent set up by Trivium, featuring a banner with your club's name/logo
• Your registration packets, ready at the tent (skip packet pickup lines)
  •  In order for your race packet (shirt, bib, etc.) to be pulled and available at your club tent, you must be registered as part of the club by the Monday before the race at 11:59 pm EST.
• Dedicated club porta potties!
• Food, drinks, and goodies waiting for your team.

Check the Groups/Teams tab and see how many people your team currently has registered!  Questions about Club Benefits? Reach out to Megan at megan@triviumracing.com.

 

Trenton Summerfest Club Competition

• All clubs, regardless of size, are part of the club competition.
• Awards go to the winning club
• All finishes count toward the 2026 Trivium Club Cup Competition

How Club Scoring Works at Trenton Summerfest

• All finishers earn 1 point just for completing the race, so the more runners your team brings, the more you score.
• Age group placement earns additional points, with top finishers scoring up to 20 points (1st place) and down to 2 points (for 16th–20th).
• Overall podium winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd) earn double their age group points—for example, an overall 7.5 Mile winner scores 41 points!
• Volunteers are a huge part of race day too, earning 5 points each for their club.
• And because Trenton has three distances, the Half Marathon is worth double points and the 8K earns 1.5x points—making it a huge opportunity to rack up a big score for your team.

 

2026 Trivium Racing Club Competition

• All clubs who compete also earn points toward the Overall, 2026 Trivium Club Competition
• The Overall season winner will be treated to a club party and receive the club cup to proudly display for the next year!
• Points will start at 500 for first place and decrease by 50 points for each placement. (1st = 500, 2nd = 450, 3rd = 400, etc.)
• Clubs placing 11 – 20 will receive 25 points.
• Club placing 21 and up will receive 10 points.

 

Check out the full club cup schedule and how points are earned here:  https://triviumracing.com/southeast-michigan-club-and-corporate-championship/.

 

Club Program

Love racing with your club/team with Trivium Racing?  Check out our Club Program!  Clubs receive a 10% discount code, a free race entry to raffle at run group, and can potentially partner to do more fun stuff!  Complete this form to request to participate.

Event Location

• Elizabeth Park: 4250 Elizabeth Dr, Trenton, MI 48183

Parking

Parking will be available on the side of the main park road. This is a one-way road and the start/finish line will be near the exit of the park, so drive all the way in before parking.

See Athlete Guide for additional details. 

We love this race and its amazing course. There aren’t many races downriver anymore, but downtown Trenton has a long history with endurance running, and we aim to revive it!

The course is gorgeous, fast and flat. Athletes start with a loop around beautiful Elizabeth Park, then head south on the fast and flat Downriver Linked Greenway. The bottom of the course runs along the Detroit River with views or Lake Eerie and a few river islands in Gibraltar before heading back to Trenton. The course is USATF certified, well-marked, and well aided. Come on out for an early summer half marathon!

Click here for a course map on Strava.

• Packet Pickup: 6:00 am – 7:45 am (Half marathon packet pickup closes at 6:45 am)
• Half Marathon Race Meeting at start line: 6:45 am
• Half Marathon Start: 7:00 am
• Awards: 9:25 am (approx.)
• Course Cutoff: 10:30 AM

 

Course Records

 

"Cool route! Loved the Gibraltar and Wildlife Sanctuary parts. Of course Elizabeth Park was beautiful as always! All volunteers were helpful, friendly, and upbeat, and the course was very clearly marked.  Trying to get my brother in law and father in law to do the half marathon with me next year too!"  - Adam P., 2025

"The event was well organized and put on great from employees to participants to volunteers."  - Ed C., 2025

"I always enjoy the course, volunteers, post race snacks and the ease of packet pick up."  - Theresa M., 2024

"Very well organized.  Great volunteers.  Beautiful course."  - David S., 2024

"The volunteers were awesome and very supportive. I thought the race was so scenic! I also thought parking was super straightforward, which is something I typically have trouble with at other races. Signage along the course was also very helpful. This was my first half marathon so I was nervous about getting lost, but I had 0 worries about anything but my run on race day!"  - Abigail C., 2024

Trenton Summerfest offers a referral refund program. This is a fun & easy way to get your friends, teammates, family, or coworkers to sign up to race with you.  Bonus:  You get a little money back on your registration fee!

Referral Incentives

• 5K Participants: Refer 5 people who sign up to race and you get a $10 race registration refund
• 8K Participants: Refer 4 people who sign up to race and you get a $10 race registration refund
• Half Marathon Participants: Refer 3 people who sign up to race and you get a $15 race registration refund

How does this work?

Share your specific referral code link that came in your original registration confirmation email. Once you get the above-mentioned people to register using your code, you will get your registration refund. Start sharing your link today!

You can also locate your personal referral link by clicking this link for instructions.

• Finisher’s medals will be given to all finishers of the Half Marathon, 8K and 5K
• Awards to the Top 3 overall males, females and non-binary in the Half Marathon, 8K and 5K
• Awards to the top 3 males and females in the following age groups in each distance: 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, 70-74,75-79, 80+
• Virtual participants will not be eligible for awards.
• Awards not picked up on race day will be subject to a $10 shipping fee. Awards will only be mailed 2 weeks from the event date.

This race will be chip timed by Trivium Racing.

 

Celebrate the start of Michigan's summer! After race morning, you can head over to downtown Trenton's annual Trenton Summer Festival where they have live entertainment, a street fair, activities for kids, and more. Click here to learn more. 

Thanks for running with us in spirit for this event! 

To complete your virtual race and receive your finisher medal and shirt, follow these steps:

• Run your half, 8k, or 5k at a place and time of your choosing.
• Track your time with a watch or fitness app.
• Report your time on our results page by clicking "Submit Virtual Results" at the top of the page. Results can be submitted anytime between June 1st and June 27th. Don't forget to share your virtual race selfies too!

Shirts and finisher medals will be mailed by July 10th. International shipping will incur an additional fee. Contact us for a quote. Please double check that your mailing address is correct on your registration before race day.  No packets will be available after July 10th.

Virtual participants are not eligible for awards. 

Any changes to virtual on or after race day will be subject a shipping charge.

Friday, June 26th - Early Packet Pickup:

Save time on race day.  Come pick up your race bib and shirt and make race morning easier!

Syphus Turf Brownstown

4:00-7:00 pm

20775 Gibraltar Rd, Brownstown Township, MI 48183

 

Saturday, June 27th - Race Day:

• Packet Pickup: 6:00 am – 7:45 am (Half marathon packet pickup closes at 6:45 am)
• Half Marathon Race Meeting at start line: 6:45 am
• Half Marathon Start: 7:00 am
• 8K and 5K Race Start: 7:45 am
• Awards: 9:25 am (approx.)
• Course Cutoff: 10:30 AM

Regular Registration:

• Custom Trenton Summerfest race shirt (must register at least 10 days before the event to guarantee shirt size availability)
• Finishers medal
  • This race is part of the 2026 Trivium Michigan Mega Medal series.  All medals will connect to make one giant Mega Medal!  
• Post race food
• Chip Timing and Live Results by Trivium Racing
• Race Photography
• Entrance into the Trivium Southeast Michigan Running Series Championship 
• A chance to win awesome Overall and Age Group awards

Economy Registration:

Want to enjoy a great race, but don't care about the shirt or medal?  Economy Registration includes everything listed as part of Regular Registration with the exception of the Finisher's Medal and Race Shirt.  Skip the swag and save some cash.

Virtual Registration:

• Finisher's medal
• Custom Trenton Summerfest shirt (must register at least 10 days before the event to guarantee shirt size)
• Virtual packets will be mailed after race day

2026 Finisher's Medal:

Zoom in and check out all the hidden details!  Scroll to the bottom of the page for a full description.

Trenton Summerfest is part of the Trivium Racing Michigan Mega Medal Series.  Medals from six 2026 races connect magnetically to form one epic Mega Medal.

The 2026 Trenton Summerfest medal includes:  Details from the Elizabeth Park bridge, swans, summer park trees and flowers, popsicles, ice cream, a Trenton Summer Festival carnival tent, and a running shoe.

5k: T-Shirt

Virtual 5k: T-Shirt

8k: T-Shirt

Virtual 8k: T-Shirt

Half Marathon: T-Shirt

Virtual Half Marathon: T-Shirt