Events & Classes

Michigan Adventure Race: Big M Edition

Conquer the Wild: What to Expect at the Michigan Adventure Race (Big M Edition) Nestled in the hardwoods between Manistee and Cadillac, the Michigan Adventure Race: Big M Edition takes over the legendary Big M Recreation Area on September 26, 2026. By omitting the traditional water/paddle section, this year's edition maximizes trail time with deep-woods trekking, high-speed singletrack biking, and pure map-and-compass navigation. Choose Your Challenge 5-Hour Race: Ideal for newcomers and intermediate athletes. Expect 5–6 miles on foot and 8–10 miles on the bike. It features straightforward navigation with a manageable learning curve. 7-Hour Race: Designed for experienced racers seeking strategic depth. Expect 8–9 miles of trekking and 20–24 miles of biking, featuring optional hike-a-bike shortcuts and interconnected checkpoint decisions. Flexible Divisions: Compete as a solo racer, in 2- to 4-person teams (mixed, male, or female), or join the 5-hour family division for all ages. Terrain & Navigation Racers use detailed LIDAR topographic maps to hunt down hidden orange-and-white checkpoint flags. Trekking sections push participants through dry hardwood forests and steep elevation changes, while the mountain bike course delivers fast "roller-coaster" singletrack and scenic gravel roads. Because checkpoints are optional and loops return to the main staging cabin, teams can tailor their route, manage gear easily, and race at their own target pace. What's Included & Race Day Perks Included Swag: Long-sleeved tech shirts, handcrafted wooden finisher trophies for top teams, and entry into over $2,000 worth of raffle prizes. Free Entry Perks: Free parking on race day courtesy of National Public Lands Day, post-race fruit and sweets, and pre-race training schedules. Schedule Highlights: Map emails go out Friday evening, with 7-hour racers starting at 10:30 AM and 5-hour racers kicking off at 11:30 AM on Saturday. Gear Up for Race Day Looking for the right gear to tackle the course? Browse our Michigan Adventure Racing collection at Bill & Paul's — curated with everything you need for trekking, navigation, and trail biking. Shop Michigan Adventure Racing Gear Ready to Race? Whether you are aiming for a podium finish or taking on your very first off-trail navigation event, lock in your team's spot today: Register: Michigan Adventure Race — Big M Rec Area