Treetops Trifecta

5K, Hill Climb & Half Marathon

Gaylord, Michigan

November 2-3, 2024

treetops

Join us for a weekend of remarkable trail running at Gaylord’s Treetops Resort. The Treetops Trifecta is a micro-stage race with 5K, Hill Climb and Half Marathon events over two days at one of Michigan’s top resorts. The weekend begins on Saturday morning with a 5K on expertly crafted single track at the resort’s main campus. This is followed by a 1K Hill Climb on the resort’s alpine ski area on Saturday afternoon. The event concludes on Sunday with a half marathon staged at the resort’s North Campus with a scenic course that includes single track through the Headwaters Land Conservancy Sturgeon River Preserve and Treetops Project Nature, a landscape that offers stunning views of the Sturgeon River Valley and the Vanderbilt Highlands.

2024 Treetops Trifecta Event Schedule

Event

Day & Date

Location

Start Time

Registration

Trifecta (all 3)

Saturday - Sunday 11/2-3/24 Treetops Alpine Ski Area and Treetops North See below register

5K

Saturday, 11/2/2024 Treetops Alpine Ski Area, Gaylord, MI 10:00 a.m. register

Hill Climb

Saturday, 11/2/2024 Treetops Alpine Ski Area, Gaylord, MI 4:00 p.m. register

Half Marathon

Sunday, 11/3/2024 Treetops North Resort, Gaylord 9:00 a.m. register

Registration

Online only.
Deadline: November 1, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. or when event fills to capacity.  *Register by October 10 to guarantee a t-shirt. 
Event Participant Limits: 5K (300), Hill Climb (300), Half Marathon (300)
Trifecta: Run all three events and be eligible for Trifecta Overall Awards.
Current Registration Status: Open
No race day registration.

Travel & Lodging

Nearest Airport: Traverse City, MI
Host Hotel:
Treetops Resort, Gaylord, MI
Reservations recommended: (855) 441-2118
Lodging rates available for race participants. Mention Great Lakes Endurance when you book.
Online Reservation Link
Resort Maps Link

Packet Pick Up

Race Day Saturday: 8:30 - 9:30 at the Ski Services Building at the base of the Alpine Ski Area, Treetops Main Resort
Race Day Sunday: 8:00 - 8:45 at the North Clubhouse
, 4282 Fazio Dr, Gaylord, MI 49735

Events

5K

Expertly constructed single track on diverse terrain surrounding the Treetops Alpine Ski Area. The course is beautiful and challenging.
5K Start: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 2, 2024, Treetops Resort, Main Campus. Map 

Hill Climb

An undulating 1K climb starting at the eastern base of the alpine ski area and winding up a combination of 6 ski runs to finish at the summit, just west of the Legends on the Hill Restaurant. There is a modest 300 ft in elevation gain making this hill climb an accessible event for the new hill climber. The course, especially the finish area is spectator friendly.
Hill Climb Start: 4:00 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2024, Eastern base of the Alpine Ski Hill.   Map

Half Marathon

A gorgeous and eclectic course that begins near the North Clubhouse. It follows a combination of fairway forests, dirt service roads before entering the Headwaters Land Conservancy’s Sturgeon River Preserve single track at two miles. The Headwaters single track takes runners on an intimate path near the Sturgeon River. Runners leave the Headwaters Conservancy and crossing Whitmarsh Road into the spectacular landscape of Project Nature. Runner revisit the Sturgeon River, this time on grassy single track. The course also includes challenging climbs up to high ridges overlooking the river valley and the Vanderbilt highlands as well as some fast sections along dirt forest road. After a six mile tour of the Project Nature lands runners return via alternative single track through the Headwaters Conservancy and back to the finish via fairway forests.
Half Marathon Start: 9:00 a.m. Sunday, November 3, 2024 Treetops North Clubhouse/Campus. Map

Aid Stations

The 5K and Hill Climb will have aid at the finish. The half marathon will feature aid stations at 3.5 and 9.6 miles. Runners in the half marathon are required to carry a 20oz water bottle or functional hydration system that can be refilled.  Volunteers will have large pitchers with cold water and cold Gnarly Hydrate energy drink with electrolytes to quickly refill your hydration system. Hammer Nutrition Energy Gels, Fizz and Endurolytes will be available at each aid station.

Time Limits

There is a four hour time limit for the half marathon. Runners who decide to drop out of the race are advised to drop out at an aid station where transportation back to the North Clubhouse/finish area will be available. A sweep will follow the last runner, thus closing the race course.

Race Fees

Race fees include:

  1. Custom long sleeve ecological fabric shirt by deadline. 
  2. Post race refreshments.
EventUntil 11:00 p.m.
April 20, 2024
Until 11:00 p.m.
August 24, 2024
Until 8:00 p.m. November 1, 2024
5K
$40
$45
$50
Hill Climb
$25
$30
$35
5K + Hill Climb $60 $65 $70
Half Marathon $80 $85 $90
Trifecta (all three running events)
$110
$115
$120

Refund & Transfer Policy

Refunds:  There are no refunds.  However,  Active.com offers entry fee insurance.

Participant transfers: You may transfer your entry to another person for a $10 transfer fee.  You can manage your transfer using your Active.com account. 

Distance changes: You can change your race distances by using your Active.com account.  However, there are no refunds for entry fee differences between events.

Age Groups

EventAge Groups
5K
11-14,15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
Hill Climb
11-14,15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
Half Marathon
13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

Awards

EventTop Three in Each Age Group
5K
GLE Running Gloves
Hill Climb
Organic Chocolate Bars 
Half Marathon Mass Farms Maple Syrup
Trifecta
GLE Recycled Steel Coffee Mugs to Top 3 Men & Top 3 Women

Dogs

Dogs are allowed in the start/finish area but not on the race course.  Please pick up animal waste.