Canal Run: Race Guide

Race Guide

Thank you for your interest in the Canal Run. This is a truly great event with thousands of happy participants over the past 50 years. Below is all of the information you’ll need to know. If there’s anything you have questions about, don't hesitate to contact us.

Weekend Schedule at a Glance

All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Friday, July 17

3-8 p.m. - Registration and Bib Pickup - Registration and bib pickup at the Hancock Community Hub (formerly Hancock Central High School) located at 435 Quincy Street in Hancock. This has been moved from Quincy Green because of weather / air quality.
6-8 p.m. - Key Ingredients - The city of Hancock will be alive with food and music (CANCELED FOR 2026)

Saturday, July 18

6:00-8:45 a.m. - Bib Pick-Up - Bib pickup at the Church of the Resurrection, 900 Quincy St., 5 blocks from the finish line (also the Shuttle service location). Note that bibs are not picked up at the Finish Line on race day! There is no race-day registration.
6:00-8:45 a.m. - Shuttle service - Shuttle service will begin at 6:00 a.m. at the Church of the Resurrection, 900 Quincy St. (map), 5 blocks from the finish line. Please plan on boarding the shuttle to your race about an hour before your race is scheduled to start.
7:15 – 9:20 a.m. - Race Start Times
- 10 mile walk - 7:15 a.m.
- Half marathon - 7:30 a.m.
- 10 mile run (Bob Olson Memorial Run) - 8:00 a.m.
- 5 mile run - 8:50 a.m.
- 5 mile walk - 8:55 a.m.
- 2 mile fun run/walk - 9:20 a.m.
- Kids Dash - 10:30 a.m.

Air Quality Update

Our Emergency Alert System is now Yellow due to potentially moderately dangerous conditions on race day. Air quality conditions are expected to improve significantly by Saturday morning. Anyone who wants to defer their registration to 2027 is invited to do that. Last-minute registration and packet pick-up has been moved to Hancock Community Hub.

Full Details on Decision

Because air quality conditions are expected to improve significantly by Saturday morning through the entirety of the race, the Canal Run has moved its Event Alert System to Yellow for moderate conditions. Our EAS level is based on expected conditions for Saturday. As the race gets closer, the current EAS status will be communicated via announcements on social media, email, and color-coded flags at the race starts and at Aid Stations along the course.

We are actively and carefully monitoring the situation. The safety of our volunteers and participants is our primary concern. Any racer who wants to defer their registration to 2027 can do that by emailing hello@canal.run. Because of weather and air conditions today, our bib pick-up and last-minute registration (3-8 p.m.) has been moved to the Hancock Community Hub (formerly Hancock Central High School) in downtown Hancock right above Quincy Green. Key Ingredients, which was scheduled for tonight, has been canceled.

Our race committee has been in regular contact with the US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan. NWS officials are predicting at least two periods of rain and thunderstorms today throughout the day and evening, continuing into the very early morning on Saturday. Air quality experts from Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy expect this to have a positive effect on air quality and together, they will monitor this in case rain ends up being less effective than predicted. Current projections suggest the Air Quality Index (AQI) will range from 50-150 during the entirety of the race, including expectations of it being under 100 while most of the participants are on the course.

As the Canal Run committee considered the decision to move forward or not, we consulted with athletic training staff from UP Health System – Portage who will be on site for the race. We are referencing NCAA’s AQI Guidelines, which state the below information.

At an AQI of 100 or higher, schools should consider removing sensitive athletes from outdoor practice or competition venues and should closely monitor all athletes for respiratory difficulty. Reduce heavy or prolonged exertion in sensitive individuals.
At AQIs of over 150, outdoor activities should be shortened, and exertion should be minimized by decreasing the intensity of activity. Sensitive athletes should be moved indoors.
At AQIs of 200 or above, serious consideration should be given to rescheduling the activity or moving it indoors. Prolonged exposure and heavy exertion should be avoided. Avoid all outdoor physical activity for sensitive individuals.
At AQIs of 300 or above, outdoor activities should be moved indoors or canceled if indoor activity is not an option.

Sensitive individuals include, but are not limited to, children/teenagers, people with lung/heart conditions (asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular diseases, etc.), adults over the age of 65, pregnant individuals and diabetic individuals. The Canal Run committee is asking all participants to take this into consideration as they make their plan for Saturday morning. Individuals who do not wish to participate can defer their registration to 2027 at any time with no questions asked by emailing hello@canal.run.

Individuals who participate are reminded that we have medical professionals throughout the course and that if they are having any issues, they should let a volunteer or medical professional know as soon as possible. Flags for our Event Alert System are placed at every aid station on the course and volunteers will be notified as soon as possible about changes.

About Our Event Alert System

The Event Alert System (EAS) communicates the status of course conditions to participants leading up to and on race day. The levels range from Low (green) to Moderate (yellow) to High (red) to Extreme (black) based on a variety of factors, including weather conditions. All participants should familiarize themselves with the Event Alert System prior to the race, remain alert for directions from race officials and announcers and take precautions to prepare properly for varying weather conditions on race day. Website communication during race week will inform participants of the current Event Alert System status and provide preparation tips based on advance weather forecasts.

Current Alert Level — Yellow, Moderate Conditions

On race day, the current Event Alert System status will be communicated via announcements and color-coded flags at the race starts and at Aid Stations along the course.

Individuals who do not wish to participate can defer their registration to 2027 at any time with no questions asked by emailing hello@canal.run.

Bib and Packet Pick-Up

Race packets, which include your bib and courtesy race swag will be available on Friday from 3-8 p.m. on the Quincy Green lawn, 435 Quincy Street in Hancock.
Race packets will also be available Saturday morning at the Church of the Resurrection, 900 Quincy St, 5 blocks from the finish line from 6:00-8:45 a.m.
Bibs with timing chips on them will be provided in your race packet.
Race packets can be picked up by others.
Note: t-shirts will be guaranteed in your race packet to all racers who register before June 1. If you register after that day, you will still get a shirt, we just can't guarantee you'll get it on race day.

Race Day

Start Times and Locations

10-mile walk at McLain State Park
- 7:15 a.m.
Half Marathon at Koskela Road
- 7:30 a.m.
10-mile Bob Olson Memorial run at McLain State Park
- 8:00 a.m.
5-mile run at High Point Road
- 8:50 a.m.
5-mile walk at High Point Road
- 8:55 a.m.
2-mile fun run/walk at Cemetery Road near Swedetown Creek
- 9:20 a.m.
Kids Dash
- 10:30 a.m.

Shuttle Service

Shuttle service will be provided to all start locations from the Church of the Resurrection, 900 Quincy St (map), 5 blocks from the finish line. Shuttles will leave approximately every 15 minutes beginning at 6:00 a.m. Strollers are welcome on the shuttles. Overflow parking is located across Michigan Street in the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church parking lot. The last shuttle for each race will leave at the following times:

10 Mile Walk -6:30 a.m.
1/2 Marathon – 6:45 a.m.
10 Mile Bob Olson Run – 7:15 a.m.
5 Mile Run – 7:45 a.m.
5 Mile Walk – 7:45 a.m.
2 Mile Fun Run/Walk – 8:45 a.m.

Water Stops/Aid Stations

Water Stops/Aid Stations will be located every 2 miles along the course. See course map below for locations. Water, Gatorade and medical professionals will be provided at all water stops.

Time Requirement

The Half Marathon time limit for participants is 3 hours and 15 minutes, which requires a minimum pace of approximately 15:00/mile. Participants choosing to continue after the cutoff time will do so at their own risk due to vehicular traffic and aid/water stations no longer being available.

Aid Station Cut Off Times

Mile 2 - 8:00 a.m.
Mile 4 - 8:30 a.m.
Mile 6 - 9:00 a.m.
Mile 8 - 9:30 a.m.
Mile 10 - 10:00 a.m.
Mile 12 - 10:30 a.m.
Mile 12.5 - 10:40 a.m.

Restroom Facilities

Restroom facilities will be located at all race starts, the Finish Line, Saturday shuttle location, and along the course at the following Water Stops: Bear Lake (9 miles to go), High Point (5 miles to go) and Harrington Ridge (3 miles to go).

5 Mile Run Waves

Three wave starts will be provided for the 5-mile run. Each wave will start separately, one after the other, with a short interval between each wave. Timing is based on "chip" time which begins when you cross the start mat. Your bib will contain your wave number. Wave changes can be made on Friday at bib pick-up.

Awards

Overall prizes for the top three for each gender will be given for the Half Marathon, 10 mile run and 5 mile run.

1st place winners will receive a sandstone plaque designed by Keweenaw Gem & Gift and a bouquet of flowers courtesy of Calumet Floral & Gifts
2nd place winners will receive a $50 gift certificate to Queen City Running Company
3rd place winners will receive a gift certificate for a pair of Goodr sunglasses from Queen City Running Company

Overall awards in each gender are also given for the 10 and 5 mile walks.

Awards are given for the top three for each gender, in each age category, in each race (except for the 2 mile fun run/walk). 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers will receive handcrafted medals designed by a local artist. Awards can be picked up at the Awards Table following the race. There will also be an award ceremony to announce the overall winners at 9:45 a.m. on Quincy Green.

Each year the organizing committee holds extensive discussions about age groups and uses a formula to ensure fairness and relative standardization based on the number of registrants, and their age distribution, for a given race. Age groups are the same for both males and females. The 2026 age groups are:

Half Marathon: All half marathon finishers will receive a medal
- 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
10-mile Run
- 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
10-mile Walk
- 39 and under, 40-59, 60+
5-mile Run
- 16 and under, 17-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
5-mile Walk
- 39 and under, 40-59, 60+

The Canal Run is also proud to recognize all participants over the age of 75 with a Canal Run Legend Award for finishing their race!

Minimum Ages

We require people to be at least 16-years-old to compete in the half marathon, 13 to compete in the 10-mile-run and all of those under 10 must be accompanied by an adult for the five-mile run and two-mile fun run. There are no age requirements for walking events.

Clothing Bags

Please bring your own clothing bag if you wish to leave items at the race start. Bag tags will be provided in your racer packet. The bags will be transported to the finish line. The Canal Run is not responsible for lost items.

Safety Notes

Parking will not be available at the race starts. Shuttle service will be available near the Finish Line to transport racers to their starts. We strongly encourage racers to use the shuttle service due to safety concerns on the race course.
The use of headphones is strongly discouraged for the safety of our participants, as the racecourse is not closed to traffic.
Runners and walkers must stay on the left side of the road at all times, facing traffic.

Road Closure

Portions of M-203 will be closed from 8-11 a.m. from High Point Road to the blinking light on the corner of US-41.
All racers should plan to take the shuttles to their race start.
- This is especially true for participants in the two- and five-mile events as the road will be closed for vehicles at their starting location. Racers who miss their events' last shuttle will not be able to get to the start because of the closure.
- Final Shuttle for five-mile start is 7:45 a.m.
- Final shuttle for two-mile start is 8:45 a.m.
Participants who get dropped off at the half marathon and 10-mile starts will need to take the detour through Lake Annie Road on their way back.

Other Notes

To eliminate congestion at the finish line, walkers are asked to come through the finish line single file.
Those entering the walking events are not allowed to run and will be disqualified from the event if seen running. If you’d like to run an event but would like to walk some of it, please register for a running event.
Walking the entire half marathon or 10-mile run will not be permitted.

Shirt Sizing and Availability

- To guarantee you have a shirt in your race packet, be sure to register by June 1. If you register after that day, you will still get a shirt, we just can't guarantee you'll get it on race day.
- Shirts are available in unisex or youth sizes
- Unisex sizing chart

Course Map

Course Profiles

Directly below is a general course profile, and below that are links to the course on Strava.

Canal Run