Race Day
The starting line
Start time: 9 am
Location: Oval Beach
SHUTTLE BUSes to Oval Beach
DEPARTURE TIME: 7:15 – 8:30 AM
Ample parking is provided in the satellite parking lot at the Community Church of Douglas. From there, our fleet of school shuttle buses will drive runners to the starting line. Shuttle buses will also return you to your car at the CCoD after the race.
School buses will leave in continuous loops from 7:15 – 8:30 AM. The last bus will leave at 8:30 am sharp – all riders need to be on board with their running bibs and all other personal items at that point.
Drop oFF & PARKING AT OVAL BEACH
TIME: 7 – 8:30 AM (Lot will close at 8:45 AM)
Runners can be dropped off at Oval Beach by friends & family starting at 7 am. Police will shut access to the parking lot at 8:45 AM sharp with no exceptions. Runners are encouraged to arrive before 8:30 to ensure they do not miss the race start.
This year there will not be shuttle service back to Oval Beach after the race, so runners are encouraged to park at the Community Church of Douglas instead. This will help us decrease the post-race transportation time and length of time in between shuttles. If you choose to park at Oval Beach, you will be responsible for your own transportation back to your car.
Please know that the road into Oval Beach is narrow and can bottleneck depending on the amount of traffic. Be patient, carpool with other runners, and follow all directions from local police and volunteers.
Spectators are discouraged from coming to the starting line. We understand many runners enjoy having family and friends at the start line. However, roads will remain closed to provide a safe, enjoyable experience for our runners, and spectators will not be able to leave Oval Bach until 10 AM at the earliest. Therefore, spectators who travel to Oval Beach may have difficulty reaching the finish area before runners arrive.
THE FINISH LINE
Race time limit: 3 hours, all runners must be clear from the course at 12 pm
Location: Coghlin Park
Post Race Transportation - Will only return to satellite lot
The Interurban will provide transportation to drive runners from the finish line and post-race party at Coghlin Park to the Community Church of Douglas ONLY. To cut down on transportation time and the length of time in between shuttles, please note that the shuttle bus will NOT return to Oval Beach after the race this year. Pickup location is at the corner of Griffith Street & Culver Street, just west of Coghlin Park. The shuttle will run roughly every 15 minutes from 11 AM – 3 PM for free.
After 3 pm, runners will need to arrange their own transportation. You can call the Interurban at 269-857-1418 (cost is $1). Ubers & Lyfts are limited; local cab companies are also recommended.
Parking in Town
Your friends & family can park at Saugatuck High School (a 10-15 minute walk to Coghlin Park) or via street parking in downtown Saugatuck.
SPECTATOR SPOTS With Parking
There are various places along the 10K+ and Half Marathon courses where your spectators can cheer you on as you complete the Challenge! Here are two spots with the most parking available. See The Courses page for full course maps to plan out additional viewpoints.
Kalamazoo Lake at the Red Dock
Your friends & family can park at the lot near the Red Dock and catch you as you race by Kalamazoo Lake as you head into town!
10K+: Between mile 5 – 6
Half Marathon: Mile 12
Wiley road at the Community church of douglas
Spectators of the half marathon can snag a spot at the Community Church of Douglas to see their runner as they head into the final stretch on Wiley Road.
Half Marathon: Between Mile 10 – 11
POST RACE PARTY
Celebrate your huge achievement with other runners after you cross the finish line! We will be celebrating with music, lawn games, and plenty of photo opps. Refreshments and food will be provided. Come high-five other runners and stay for a beer, a “beermosa,” a “bloody beer,” a glass of wine, or a non-alcoholic beverage.
All runners will receive a free drink ticket (21+; please bring valid photo ID) with their bib. Runners will also receive complimentary bagels with toppings. Pizza from the Little Store is available for purchase.
