Event Description

Event Location:  
452 Water St., Wicks Park, Downtown Saugatuck, MI, 49453

About This Event

West Michigan’s Ultimate Multi-Terrain Race will be more spectacular this year in its 20th running than ever before.  Its two race options will delight all runners with outstanding visual landscapes and variable terrain. 

Our signature Mt. Baldhead Challenge, the 12-mile run we are known for,  starts and ends at the waterfront in historic downtown Saugatuck.  It includes trails through the Ox-Bow School of Art and Talmadge Woods, the newly-cut Woollam Nature Trail, and, of course, the famous 302 steps up Mt. Baldhead and down its western wooded descent.  The route offers panoramic vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline, the Kalamazoo River, and the Ox-Bow Lagoon. 

The MBC shorter race, previously a 6-mile run, has been expanded to 7.5 miles to provide an even more interesting and varied event.  This race starts on Bliss Street, directly across the river from the longer run, and ends in downtown Saugatuck at Wicks Park with a well-deserved celebration for runners from both races. 

Both races will begin at 9:00 a.m. -  a mid-river cannon will signal the start! 

NEW COURSES AND DISTANCES!!

Mt. Baldhead Challenge - The 12 Mile Run

COURSE:    Starts in Wicks Park and follows the Kalamazoo River’s northeast shoreline.  After crossing the Blue Star Bridge into Douglas, runners will head directly westward down Center Street to Lakeshore Drive.  The course then takes a northward turn past old and new lakeshore homes and through a  tunnel of trees to Lakeshore Chapel.  Runners then head east on Campbell Road and north along the river on Park Street.  They pass by the steps at Mt. Baldhead and then enter the wooded trail at Ox-Bow School of Art.  Here the trail gradually ascends to the legendary Crow’s Nest where there are spectacular views of the Ox-Bow Lagoon and Lake Michigan beyond.  From there the trail winds down to the base of Mt. Baldhead, where 302 steps separate the runner from the top of this historic landmark.  Once at the top, the runners will be greeted by live band music and another incredible view that rivals the Crow’s Nest.  The trail then descends down the western slope of the Mt. Baldhead dune and veers north for one final view of the lagoon before heading south along the beachfront.  The route then follows the Woollam Nature Trail back to the river, hugging it going south and then traversing east through Tower Marina, crossing the Blue Star Bridge, and finishing at  Wicks Park for a party! 

This is not a closed course, and participants must finish by 1:30 p.m.  Maps are also available on the website mtbaldheadchallenge.com.   Aid stations will be located throughout the course. 

Mt. Baldhead Challenge - The 7.5 Mile Run

COURSE:   Starts on Bliss Street directly across the river from Wicks Park (shuttles from Wicks Park will be provided).  This race begins simultaneously with the longer run, starting with a mid-river cannon blast.  The run heads north along the river on Park Street, passes by the steps at Mt. Baldhead and then enters the wooded trail at Ox-Bow School of Art.  Here the trail gradually ascends to the legendary Crow’s Nest where there are spectacular views of the Ox-Bow Lagoon and Lake Michigan beyond.  From there the trail winds down to the base of Mt. Baldhead, where 302 steps separate the runner from the top of this historic landmark.  Once at the top, the runners will be greeted by live band music and another incredible view that rivals the Crow’s Nest.  The trail then descends down the western slope of the Mt. Baldhead dune and veers north for one final view of the lagoon before heading south along the beachfront.  The route then follows the Woollam Nature Trail back to the river, hugging it going south and then traversing east through Tower Marina, crossing the Blue Star Bridge, and finishing at Wicks Park for a party! 

This is not a closed course, and participants must finish by 1:30 p.m.  Maps are also available on the website mtbaldheadchallenge.com.   Aid stations will be located throughout the course. 

Little Feet, Big Feat 1K – Free Kids' Fun Run

• Friday, September 6th, 6:00 p.m.
• Wicks Park, downtown Saugatuck

Early Registration

• ONLINE—Online at https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Saugatuck/MtBaldheadChallenge
• or www.macssportstiming.com until September 5th (11:59 PM EDT).
• BY MAIL—Postmarked by September 3rd and mailed to: PO Box 211, Douglas MI 49406-0211**

Late Registration

• Friday Packet Pickup, Sept. 6th, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Wicks Park, Saugatuck.  Late Registration Fees $60.00
• Race day morning 6:30 am to 8:45 am at Wicks Park, Saugatuck.  Late Registration Fees $60.00
• Cash and checks only at late registration.

Entry Fees

• $45 – 12 Mile By Sept. 5th (11:59 PM) - $60 on race day.
• $45 – 7.5 Mile By Sept.5th (11:59 PM) - $60 on race day.

Packet Pickups

• Friday Early Pick Up, September 6th, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm @ Wicks Park — Water St, Downtown Saugatuck
• Race Day - Saturday, September 7th -  6:30 am to 8:45 am @ Wicks Park — Water St, Downtown Saugatuck

Race Day Schedule

• Packet Pick Up - 6:30 am to 8:45 am @ Wicks Park — 452 Center St., Downtown Saugatuck

Start Times and Locations

• Long Course (12 Miles)  9:00 am
• Short Course (7.5 Miles)  9:00 am

Tee Shirts

• The first 300 runners to register are guaranteed this year's color of T-Shirt, later registrants may receive a different color comparable high quality Mt. Baldhead Tech shirt from a prior year.

Timing and Scoring

• Timing and scoring will be chip/tag timed by Mac's Sports Timing.  Results will be posted during the event and also can be viewed online shortly after the race. www.macssportstiming.com