Half Marathon races near Scio Township

Spooky Sprint - Ann Arbor takes place in October at Kensington Metropark, featuring a half marathon, 10K, 5K, untimed 1-mile, kids' dash, and a virtual option. Bodies Race Company presents this event as part of its Holiday Series, designed for runners aiming for a personal best and families seeking a costume-welcoming fall activity. The longer races use chip timing with live results, while the 1-mile and kids' dash offer a relaxed pace. The half marathon begins in the morning, following park roads shaded by trees and paved trails around Maple Beach. The course has a fast, gently rolling terrain, avoiding steep hills. Costumes are welcome, and finishers will receive Halloween treats. Early registrants get race merchandise, including a custom bib, a designer shirt, and a medal. The kids' dash is open to children aged 10 and under, with a free option that does not include merchandise. Youth pricing is available for the 5K and 10K, making the shorter distances more accessible for families.

The Michigan Monster Dash is a Halloween-themed run and walk held at Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan. The start and finish are located at Maple Beach by Kent Lake. Finish Line Runs, a race group from the Detroit/Ann Arbor area, organizes the event, typically scheduled for late October. Participants can select from a 1k Kids Dash, 5k, 10k, or half marathon. A virtual option is available for each distance, allowing individuals to run from home, a treadmill, or a local path. The in-person course winds through Kensington’s wooded area and is described as relatively flat, emphasizing the Halloween atmosphere over a challenging route. Costumes are highly encouraged, contributing to a family-friendly feel across all events, from the kids’ dash to the longer distances. The race supports Make-A-Wish Michigan, with participant contributions exceeding $8,000 for the charity. Previous race perks have included discount coupons from Dick’s in Novi, chocolate milk from Horizon Organic, and jerky packs from Jack Link’s.

Black Toenail Friday is a post-Thanksgiving trail race held at Proud Lake Recreation Area in Southeast Michigan. It offers half marathon and 7.5-mile distances, along with virtual and ruck divisions. The race begins at 11:00 AM, allowing participants to sleep in after Thanksgiving. This event is the final race in Trivium Racing’s Michigan Mega Medal Series and typically sells out. The course features well-marked, groomed wooded trails winding through forest and lake sections. The footing is smooth, making it suitable for beginners, yet it retains a distinct trail character compared to road races. The half marathon involves two laps of the course, while the 7.5-mile race completes one lap. Participants aim for personal bests, ruck the course, or run with companions. Post-race activities include campfires, ramen, and hot cocoa. Registration includes a long-sleeve tech shirt, with a hoodie option available.

Turkey Trails Ann Arbor is an annual Thanksgiving-themed race day in Ann Arbor, Michigan, featuring a half marathon, 10K, 5K, untimed 1 Mile, and Kids Dash. The main races use chip timing with live results, while the shorter family events keep the pressure low. The organizer offers youth pricing for the 5K and 10K, catering to families and runners focused on their times. The exact race location is listed as TBD, with the organizer working with local parks to build courses. The Kids Dash is for children 10 and under, starts just before the main race, and includes a mini bib, youth shirt, and medal. Most registrations include a custom bib, designer shirt, finisher medal, free photos, and finish-line treats, such as free pie. Awards are given to overall, masters, and age-group runners in the 5K, 10K, and half marathon. A virtual option is available for those who want the shirt and medal but cannot attend in Ann Arbor.

Winter Trail Fest East is a February trail race at Island Lake Recreation Area in Brighton, Michigan, offering half marathon and 5-mile options. The objective is to race through whatever winter conditions Michigan presents: snow, ice, slush, or mud. The start is scheduled for later morning, allowing runners and ruckers a bit more daylight and a better chance at milder temperatures before they begin on the trails. The half marathon route follows rolling singletrack, while the 5-mile course provides a shorter, quicker introduction to winter racing for less experienced trail runners. Both distances include run and ruck divisions, a distinctive feature for Michigan winter races that accommodates athletes carrying weighted packs. Finishers receive a WTF hoodie and medal. Racers participating in the Summer Trail Fest Ultra can also collect connecting medals as part of the WTF + STFU Trail Series.