The Micro: Breaking 4

The Micro: Breaking 4 is a McKirdy Micro marathon held in Walker, Michigan, starting at 1415 Maynard Ave SW. Runners begin between 8 a.m. and noon Eastern. The series originated from a desire among runners to provide opportunities for marathoners aiming for personal bests, Boston qualifying times, and other demanding standards, particularly when fast race options were limited during the COVID-19 pandemic. The race details specify the marathon distance but do not describe the route beyond the Walker venue. The Micro format attracts athletes globally to a focused, well-supported race environment. One elite version resulted in 48 Olympic Trials qualifiers, two Olympians, personal bests for 69% of participants, and second-best lifetime marathons for 85% of finishers. The series is expanding to include multiple distances, allowing runners outside the elite field to utilize the same fast-race conditions.