Webber Sports Complex, Thompsonville MI
Saturday, September 26th, 2026
🌟 Welcome to the Betsie Valley Trail Run
Celebrate summer and welcome fall with the new Betsie Valley Trail Half Marathon, 10k, 5k & 1 Mile Fun Run. The Half Marathon, 10k and 5k courses are out and back on the Betsie Valley Trail starting in Thompsonville at the Webber Sports Complex. The 1 Mile Fun Run is held on the ballfield onto the trail and back.
🌲 Trail Experience
- Surface: Excellent flat aggregate trail surface that is excellent for runners.
- Scenery: Beautiful views as it crosses both Dair Creek and the Betsie River.
- Environment: Passes through a wetland and mile after mile of pine and hardwood upland forests.
- History: Built on the bed of the former Ann Arbor Railroad and now part of the Rails to Trails system. Learn more at www.betsievalleytrail.org.
💖 Community Support
North Mitten events supports and promotes the Betsie Valley Trail as a valued community resource. A portion of the proceeds from the Half Marathon, 10k & 5k AND all the proceeds from the 1 Mile Fun Run is donated to the Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail. Add a fun run to any race distance for just $10.
📝 Registration Details
Online Registration opens June 1st - September 24th at 8pm or until space is filled. Onsite registration is available at packet pick up if space remains.
🏆 Inclusions
- Half Marathon, 10k and 5k: Tee or Tree, timing (chip timing will be added if participation is over 100 per race), live results/tracking, custom bib, custom finisher medal and post-race food.
- 1 Mile Fun Run: Custom bib and a Betsie Valley Trail sticker! The Fun Run is not timed.
- Experience: All registrants receive a beautiful in-person running course and an experience we hope you will cherish forever!
📅 Event Schedule
Friday Sept 25
- 4pm - 6pm: Packet pick-up
Saturday Sept 26
- 7am - 8:30am: Late packet pick up
- 8:00am: Half Marathon start
- 8:30am: 10k start
- 9:00am: 5k start
- 9:30am: Fun Run late registration and bib pick up
- 10:15am: Live awards
- 11:00am: 1 Mile Fun Run at the ballpark
- 12:00pm: Course closes
📦 Packet Pick Up
Packet pick-up will be held at the Webber Sports Complex Friday September 25, from 4pm-6pm and Saturday September 26, from 7am-8:30am only. It is highly encouraged that you pick packets up Friday. 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.
🚗 Race Parking
The race starts and finishes in Thompsonville at the Webber Sports Complex/ballfield. Trail-side parking is available in the ballfield or one block over in downtown Thompsonville.
🏨 Lodging and Dining
While in Thompsonville visit the historic marker at the Diamond Crossing. This marker serves to underscore the significance of the crossing of the Pere Marquette and Ann Arbor railroads during the 19th century.
- Lodging: Crystal Mountain Resort, Mountain Valley Lodge, Betsie River Campground
- Dining: 231 Bar and Grill, Geno’s Sports Bar and Grill, Rosie's Country Café, Laughing Horse Saloon
Or visit Beulah, Benzonia, Frankfort, Interlochen, Manistee or Traverse City for more lodging and dining options!
🏅 Awards
All Half Marathon, 10k and 5k athletes receive a finisher medal. The top overall male and female in each race receive a gift certificate and more! Awards given to the top 3 in each age category.
- Age Categories: 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.
A live awards ceremony will take place at the ballpark at 10:30 am. Awards will be available until 12am. Please plan to pick up your award. Awards will not be sent.
🍀 Fun Run Awards
All 1 MILE FUN RUN participants receive a custom bib and a Betsie Valley Trail sticker. All FUN RUN participants are entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card.
🗹 Event Rules
- Respect: Be respectful of the trail, nature, private property and others.
- Littering: No littering.
- Pets: No dogs or strollers on course.
- Headsets: Allowed but not encouraged for your safety.
- Enjoy: 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.
- Clean Trails: To maintain a clean and litter-free trail and sports complex.
- Conscious Choices: To be consumer-conscious and provide only products of use.
- Waste Reduction: To discourage waste and encourage runners to carry water bottles or hydration systems instead of using aid station cups.
- Local Sourcing: To source food and supplies locally as much as possible.
- Tree Planting: To donate one tree per participant to the North Mitten PLANT A TREE project.
🤝 Giving Back
A portion of the Half Marathon, 10k and 5k proceeds and all proceeds from the 1 Mile Fun Run is donated to the Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail. Visit www.betsievalleytrail.org to learn more about the trail.
🙌 Join Us as a Volunteer
We need you. The Betsie Valley Trail Run is seeking volunteers and creative groups to cover aid stations, street crossings, and registration. For more information, please visit the volunteer tab (coming soon) or contact North Mitten at jdavidson@nothmittenevents.com.
Race Event provided by: North Mitten LLC. People and Planet Health. Events. Adventure. Education.
