12 Miles

COURSE: Starts in Wicks Park and follows the Kalamazoo River's shoreline south. After crossing the Blue Star Bridge into Douglas, runners will follow bike trails to the route's first trail stretch southwest of Ferry Street. From there it proceeds down Wiley Road to Lakeshore Drive and then north past lakeside cottages and mansions through a tunnel of trees to Lakeshore Chapel. Runners head east on Campbell Road, then north along the river on Park Street, past Mt. Baldhead and into the Oxbow Art School - Talmadge Woods along the wooded trail to the Crow’s Nest overlook loop. From there back to the base of Mt Baldhead, where a 302 step climb stand between the runner and the top. Up the steps to be greeted by live band music and view you'll not soon forget. South and down through wooded dune ridge trails and the Dunegrass development, then 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.

  6 Miles

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 and into the Oxbow Art School - Talmadge Woods for a loop on the wooded trail  to the Crow’s Nest overlook and back to Park St. From there to the base of Mt Baldhead, where a 302 step climb stand between the runner and the top. Up the steps to be greeted by live band music and view you'll not soon forget. South and down through wooded dune ridge trails and the Dunegrass development, then 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.