Rave Run: Mackinac Island, Michigan

Where: Mackinac Island, Michigan

Start: In front of Yacht Club

End: In front of Yacht Club

Distance: Approx. 8 miles

Map

Running the circumference of Mackinac Island has to be one of my favorite routes of all time.  Each summer when we go to the Island I look forward to my run.  You can basically start anywhere and just run the 8-mile loop, but I like to start at the Yacht Club by the marina and start out going east toward Mission Pointe.  That way, the last mile is through town.

For those of you who don't know, Mackinac Island is a picturesque place located between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan.  Although it could be labeled a tourist trap by some, the real magic of the Island shows when all the day tourists board their ferries and go home.  That's why if you are going you should plan to spend the night, and you should make this run in the morning before the tourists start invading (before 10am).

One of the best features of the Island, especially for us runners, is that no motorized vehicles are allowed on.  You'll see some bikes, and you might have to watch for a few horse drawn taxis, but the tranquil quiet of your run will really only be interrupted by the gentles waves of Lake Huron hitting the rocky shores of the Island.  And you'll get the best possible views of the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge.

Please post a comment if anyone else has run it!