Loop The Lake

🎉 About the Event

Come celebrate the Boardman Lake Loop Trail! The Traverse City Track Club presents Loop The Lake, a 4-mile, 8-mile, and 2-person relay trail race around Boardman Lake, just south of downtown Traverse City. The race will follow the Boardman Lake Loop Trail, which includes mostly pavement, as well as some gravel, bridges, and boardwalks.

• Events: 4-mile, 8-mile, and 2-person relay.
• Participation: 4 mile event open to runners and walkers: 8 mile event recommended for runners only.
• Course Closure: Closes at 8pm.

📏 Distance

4 miles Exactly! This race has been certified by the USATF. The individual 8 mile and relay (2 people run 4 miles each) will be slightly over 8 miles.

🏞️ About the Course

The race will follow the Boardman Lake Loop Trail, starting and finishing in Hull Park on the north side of the lake. The east side is a heavily wooded segment featuring gentle curves and a mix of pavement, boardwalk, and some gravel surface. The southern end features two bridges over the Boardman/Ottway River and an extended boardwalk over the Boardman Lake Cove. The west side is pavement, and the northern end features one bridge over the Boardman River.

• Map: Check out the map here!
• Direction: Participants will be running in a clockwise direction.
• Public Access: Course open to the general public with heavy announcements and signage provided.

🏁 Start Details

The race will include a wave start at Hull Park. Runners will be asked to line up according to their estimated finish time.

⏱️ Wave Starts

We want to ensure a safe and great experience for all participants. We will utilize a wave start on an honor basis to distribute runners and walkers on the trail. Volunteers will be on hand to help determine waves.

🅿️ Parking

Loop the Lake is an Urban Trail race. While there will not be parking available within Hull Park, there are many parking options nearby within walking distance, including multiple parking decks. Please do not park at any apartment complexes or within the Brick Wheels parking lot.

📦 Packet Pickup

Stay tuned for packet pickup information.

📜 Background

"This beautiful and highly anticipated Loop is the product of meaningful, high-impact collaboration, years of support, gumption, and hard work from many facets of the community. Thanks to the passion and persistence of countless individuals and trail project partners, the Loop is now a reality and serves as the crown jewel and centerpiece of the TART Trails network. We are thrilled to share this monumental moment with the community" (TART Trails website).

The Boardman Lake Trail is owned by the City of Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, and Garfield Township. TART Trails works with the City, County, and Township to support the development and maintenance of the trail.

For more information, visit the race page: Loop The Lake.