Lakestride 13.1 info

The half marathon course is beautiful, I’ve run it a number of times.  Runners start on Lake Shore Drive, near the city beach, go north towards the Ludington State Park, peel off to the right at Piney Ridge Road, about the 2.5 mile mark.  Continue on the tree covered winding road that puts you between the Lake Michigan dunes and Hamlin Lake.  Leave Piney Ridge Road at about the 4 mile mark and enjoy a 1.8 mile trail run through a very beautiful mature forest full of oak, beech nut, birch and maple.  This section of the course is really fun; it’s like being on a roller coaster.  It’s full of short ups and downs that allow you to maintain pace with little effort, you feel like you are flying, it’s fast but passing must be done carefully.  Once clear of the woods, you run down a small dune cross over a dam, run through the State Park and turn south running along the Lake Michigan Shore line on Lakeshore Drive for about 6 miles. Running along the shoreline on pavement is awesome; the view of the lake is something you will want to take in. The course is basically flat. The trail is the exception and there’s one spot at about the eleven mile mark where it pays to be in shape. It’s a gentle incline stretched out over about 7-800 meters. If you stay focused you can maintain pace. After that it’s flat and fast to the finish located at the city beach. Enjoy a Popsicle, kick off your shoes, stroll down to the water and cool off in Lake Michigan.  How does it get any better than that? Most of the runners bring the family and spend the day on the beach swimming, tanning or playing volleyball. Downtown Ludington is walking distance from the beach.   

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