​West Michigan’s Ultimate Multi-Terrain Runs will become more spectacular yet in their 19th runnings, with a new start/finish in Saugatuck and longer, more-varied courses.

The signature Mt. Baldhead Challenge 15K will now start and end at 9 a.m. (an hour later than past years) in downtown Saugatuck's waterfront Wicks Park. It will traverse 12.389 miles (PR at that distance guaranteed), including the famous 302 steps up Mt. Baldhead.

The MBC shorter race, heretofore a 5K that didn't include Mt. Baldhead, now will. The 5.412-mile course (another unique race distance) will also start at 9 a.m. on Bliss Street, across the river from the long run. Shuttles from Wicks Park will be provided). The run/walk will include trails through the Ox-Bow Art School, the Mt. Baldhead steps and more before ending with a Wicks Park celebration.
Saturday, September 8, 2018

12.389 Mile Run - Start time: 9:00a
5.412 Mile Run/walk - Start time 9:00a

COURSES

12.389 Miles: THE ULTIMATE MULTI-TERRAIN RACETM
  • COURSE: Starts in Wicks Park and follows the Kalamazoo River's northeast shoreline. After crossing the Blue Star Bridge into Douglas, runners will follow bike trails to the route's first trail stretch west of Ferry Street. From there it crosses Wiley Road and continues on trails south to unpaved Tranquility Lane, turns west to Lake Michigan, then north past lakeshore mansions and through a tunnel of trees to Lakeshore Chapel. Runners head east on Campbell Road, north along the river on Park Street, past the Mt. Baldhead steps and climb for a loop through the wooded Ox-Bow Art School campus. From there back down, up the steps to be greeted by live band music and view you'll not soon forget. South through dune ridge trails and the Dunegrass development, east to Park Street. From there hug the river south and east through Tower Marina, back across Blue Star Bridge to finish at a Wicks Park party. It is not a closed course and participants must finish by 12:30 p.m. Maps available on the website mtbaldheadchallenge.com. Aid stations will be located throughout the course.​

5.412 Miles: YOU GOT THIS!
  • COURSE: Starts on Bliss Street directly across the river from the longer race (shuttles from Wicks Park provided) at the same time, 9 a.m. North on Park Street along the river, past the Mt. Baldhead steps uphill for a wooded loop through Ox-Bow, back down, then up the steps to be greeted by live band music and summit view. South through dune ridge trails and the Dunegrass development, east to Park Street, along the river south and east through Tower Marina, back across Blue Star Bridge to finish at a Wicks Park party. It is not a closed course and participants must finish by 11:30 a.m. Maps available on the website mtbaldheadchallenge.com. Aid stations will be located throughout the course.
 
  • Water/aid stations will be available on both courses.
​
​1K: LITTLE FEET, BIG FEAT
  • Friday, September 7, 6 p.m., Wicks Park, 452 Center St., downtown Saugatuck​
See Race Videos Here
Early Registration

  • ONLINE—Online at mtbaldheadchallenge.com or www.macssportstiming.com until September 6 (11:59 PM EDT).
  • BY MAIL—Postmarked by September 4 and mailed to: PO Box 211, Douglas MI 49406-0211**

Late Registration
  • Friday Packet Pickup, Sept. 7, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Wicks Park, Saugatuck. 
  • Race day morning 6:30 am to 8:45 am at Wicks Park, Saugatuck.
  • Cash and checks only at late registration.

Entry Fees
  • $35 – 12.389 Mile By Sept. 6 (11:59 PM) - $50 on race day.
  • $35 – 5.412 Mile By Sept.6 (11:59 PM) - $50 on race day.

Packet Pickups
  • Friday Early Pick Up, September 7, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm @ Wicks Park — 452 Center St., Downtown Saugatuck
  • Race Day - Saturday, September 8 -  6:30 am to 8:45 am @ Wicks Park — 452 Center St., Downtown Saugatuck

Race Day Schedule
  • Packet Pick Up - 6:30 am to 8:45 am @ Wicks Park — 452 Center St., Downtown Saugatuck

Start Times and Locations
  • Long Course (12.389 Miles)  9:00 am
  • Short Course (5.412 Miles)  9:00 am


Tee Shirts
  • The first 300 runners to register are guaranteed this year's color of T-Shirt, later registrants may receive a different color comparable high quality Mt. Baldhead Tech shirt from a prior year.


Timing and Scoring
  • Timing and scoring will be chip/tag timed by Mac's Sports Timing.  Results will be posted during the event and also can be viewed online shortly after the race. www.macssportstiming.com