Half Marathon races near Portage

The Sandhill Crane All Trail Half Marathon/10K/5K takes place at Dr. T. K. Lawless County Park, an 820-acre park in Vandalia, Michigan. The event features a half marathon, 10K run/walk, 5K run/walk, and a 1K kids fun run, all utilizing unpaved park trails. The half marathon is a 13.1-mile non-repeat route, ensuring runners experience new terrain throughout. The course winds through forest and field, alongside streams and small lakes, with six bridge crossings. It is not flat, starting around 900 feet and climbing to a high point near 1,000 feet, incorporating hills into the trail running. Sandhill cranes are common in the area, inspiring the race's name and offering participants a chance to spot one. The event is limited to 500 participants, uses chip timing, and provides fruit at the finish. Finishers get custom long-sleeve performance shirts, top finishers receive laser-cut wood awards, and second and third place finishers in each age group receive medals. Proceeds benefit Dowagiac Rotary charities and Cass County Parks.