Five winter laps of rolling Michigan singletrack past four lakes
Other trail races within 159 miles
A January 50K made of five laps of a 10 km loop in Yankee Springs State Recreation Area, near Middleville in southwest Michigan. The loop is rolling, wooded singletrack that passes Hall Lake, the Devil's Soup Bowl, McDonald Lake and Long Lake. Runners pass the start/finish aid station every lap and a second aid station about 3.5 miles into each lap. Conditions change every year with the Michigan winter: snow, ice and cold are all part of the challenge.
Suitable for first-timers
Middleville, MI, United StatesJanuary 02, 2027
Yankee Springs Winter Challenge 50K is a multi-loop trail race in Middleville, MI, United States, held on January 02, 2027. The course covers 31.1 miles and has a 9h cutoff.
The route for this edition is not published yet.
No camping or cabins for the winter race. UltraSignup says the Long Lake Outdoor Center cabins are no longer offered after a management change; nearby hotels include the Bay Point Inn and the Gun Lake Casino.
Early January in southwest Michigan is cold. Daytime highs are usually around freezing, and mornings are often well below it. Snow cover is common, and the trail can be packed snow, fresh powder, ice or frozen mud depending on the year. Daylight is short, with sunset a little after 5 pm, which matches the 5 pm race cutoff.
Start temperatures are often well below freezing in early January
Snow and ice on the singletrack are common and change the footing every year
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