Race Info

Check-in time is from 3-7 pm June 11th, 2027, at the M22 shop in Glen Arbor (6298 W. Western Ave, M22.) PLEASE NOTE: M22 Challenge is striving to be a zero-waste event and has implemented a “packet-less” pickup process at registration. Please understand that you will not receive a packet full of miscellaneous products from various vendors. In past years, we have realized that this process tends to leave the event with excessive items that never end up being used. Instead, you will be handed a reusable M22 bag and will have the opportunity to pick up select items from event sponsors that come to the registration. We hope you understand this “less is more” registration process.

Photo identification is required when you pick up your race bib and timing chip.

START LINE: Run staging will open at 7:50 am in the closed-off portion of M-109.

• WAVE 1: Expert
• WAVE 2: 29 & under
• WAVE 3: 30-39
• WAVE 4: 40-49
• WAVE 5: 50 & Over

Waves take off in 1-minute increments. Once Wave 1 takes off, Wave 2 walks up to the start line and waits for its countdown. This continues until all waves are released.

FINISH LINE: Athletes will paddle into a kayak/SUP dismount area where competitors will jump out of their boats, run out of the water and sprint a short distance through the finish line. We’ll have volunteers helping move your water craft out of the way and safe for you to pick up later.

All competitors are asked to gather at the start line for a racer meeting at 7:50 am on race day.

We suggest that older or disabled participants wear a tracking device, such as a phone or watch with location sharing turned on, so a family member can keep track of their location during the race.

Event staging takes place on Friday, June 11th, from 3-8 pm and 6-7 am on Saturday, June 12th, at the event site. Run staging opens at 7:50 am. Please try and drop off your kayak/SUP and bike at the event site during the Friday staging time.

We are not responsible for late arrivals and hold the right to refuse any entry after the staging/transition area is closed. Bikes and kayaks/SUP’s/etc. must be placed in the proper location during the allotted staging time. Please respect the event management and volunteers, profanity will not be tolerated, along with any type of litter. Automatic Disqualification to any athlete that throws any type of refuse on the course at any point. We ask that you please leave clean tracks and put garbage in the designated bins.

In order to maintain pedestrian safety at the event site and along M-109, the SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE and the LEELANAU COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT is requiring that no vehicles are allowed to park along M-109 at anytime for any reason. Vehicles parked along M-109 will be ticketed.

During equipment drop-off, vehicles must pull into the designated drop-off area and unload their vehicle and move out to park at an off-site location as soon as possible. Also after the race, participants must use the designated pick-up area to load their equipment. Due to the small event site area, we ask that participants please be prepared to unload and load their equipment as quickly as they can. We will have volunteers available for assistance. 5 minute parking for loading/unloading only in the Event Site Parking area. Absolutely no unattended vehicles. Any unattended vehicle will be ticketed by the NPS.

Please, please, please try and drop off your kayak/SUP and bike at the event site during the Friday staging time. There is a security guard that will be monitoring all equipment Friday night. The event site space is limited and there will be LOTS of traffic, so for your own peace-of-mind, we ask you drop your boat off on Friday. You can leave your bike overnight, or ride it from the parking lot to the event site in the morning.

Athletes are required to supply their own equipment, including bikes (road bikes or mountain bikes), helmets (mandatory), water transportation (kayak/canoe/stand up paddle board/etc), and paddles. Local rental options are available through Crystal River Outfitters in Glen Arbor. (For Traverse City rentals, try Brick Wheels.) You are encouraged to reserve your rental early due to limited inventory.

Every kayak and SUP must have a GLA sticker to launch. You must get your sticker from the Glen Lake Association, either at the boat wash station or on Friday at registration.

To prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and to comply with local and state ordinances, participants must meet one of the following requirements before launching:

• A) Have their kayak/SUP and all equipment washed and inspected at the Glen Lake Association (GLA) boat wash station (7075 W. Day Forest Rd.), or
• B) Certify at check-in that their watercraft and equipment have not been in another body of water within the past 10 days, or
• C) Certify at check-in that their watercraft and equipment have been professionally power-washed with hot water.

To protect the watershed, the GLA provides free power washing services. Participants will receive a GLA tag once compliance is confirmed.

WATERCRAFT WITHOUT A GLA TAG WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO LAUNCH AT THE RACE SITE. NO EXCEPTIONS.

There will be no opportunity to inspect or clean equipment after 7:00 am on race day. Please plan accordingly. To prevent transporting invasive species elsewhere, please return your kayak or SUP to the boat wash station after the race, or dry it for 10 days before putting it into another body of water.

Inspection Locations: Glen Lake Association Boat Wash Station: 7075 W Day Forest Rd. (on the northeast side of Little Glen Lake) Hours: Friday, June 11, from 6:00 am – 8:00 pm; Race Day from 6:00 am – 7:00 am. M22 Store: 6298 W. Western Ave Hours: During event check-in: 3 pm – 7 pm

The event will be chip timed with mats in three locations: the start line, entrance or exit of the transition area, and the finish line.

Northern Michigan can bring any type of weather so be prepared for clear blue skies and 85 degrees, or cool rain and fog. The race start will not be delayed for any weather-related reason unless there is severe lightning visible in the area, which would most likely pass quickly. Be ready for the start of the race at 8 am regardless of rain or fog. If there is a delay it will be in 15-minute increments and announced at the event site, our Facebook page, and Instagram.

Road closure: M-109 will be closed from Day Farm Rd. to W Harriger Rd. from 7:45 am until approximately 9 am on race day. Plan your arrival around it.

Be prepared for traffic and long lines to park the morning of the event. All competitors and spectators are asked to park in downtown Glen Arbor and use the provided shuttle service, or park at the “Dune Climb” parking lot, the “North” lot, or the “South” lot – no parking is allowed at the event site or on the side of the road (Park regulations). There will be handicap parking available at the event site.

Participants can park in the overflow “South” lot of the Dune Climb, BUT they must be out of the lot by 12:30pm. Participants can park in the field office “North” lot north of the Dune Climb. Dune lot is open for parking. We ask that you please use the North lot and South lot first.

We encourage those who would like to warm up before the race to park downtown Glen Arbor and ride their bike the 3 miles to the event site.

Shuttle service begins at 6am from the M22 store at 6298 Western Ave. (M22) in Glen Arbor MI. The shuttle returns every 15 minutes, making this an effortless way to get to and from the event site.

Volunteers: Please park downtown Glen Arbor and take the shuttle from the M22 shop to the event site. Anyone parking at Little Glen Picnic Area must have a M22 Parking sticker visible in their windshield. If they don't have a sticker the vehicle will be ticketed and towed.

The M22 Challenge takes place within the boundaries of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. For this reason all participants and spectators must have a National Park Entrance Pass. For private vehicles, the pass is $25 and covers everyone riding in the vehicle. All passes are valid for 7-days. An Annual Park Entrance Pass for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is also available for $45. Passes can be purchased at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire or the Dune Climb Entrance Station. IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU BUY YOUR PASS AHEAD OF TIME. For more information about entrance fees, please call the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center at 231-326-4700, ext. 5010.

In celebration of your accomplishment, our presenting sponsor River Club Glen Arbor is hosting a post party for all race participants.

Athletes will receive a complimentary meal ticket. Join fellow racers and rest your weary bones to some live music along the Crystal River. Grab your friends and family for this post race celebration from 11AM-7PM, June 12th. Free parking included.

River Club is located directly across from the M22 Store on Oak Street in Glen Arbor.

In the Glen Arbor area there are many vacation homes for rent, along with several camping options. Check out the Glen Arbor Chamber, DH Day Campground, Maple Lane Resort, or Bear Lake Bed and Breakfast.

Visit Up North Vacation Rentals is offering 22% off the rental rates for the race weekend (two night minimum, subject to availability) for race participants! To speak with a reservationist that can assist you, call (231) 922-8922.

Sleeping Bear Bed & Breakfast: 231-835-1567

Leelanau Vacation Rentals is happy to offer M22 Challenge participants their special Spring Rates for the event weekend.

The Homestead - Call The Homestead at 231-334-5000 and ask for the M22 Challenge Special for all M22 Challenge visitors.

The Cottonwood Inn Bed and Breakfast is located in the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes. Surrounded by giant cottonwoods it has all the ambiance you would expect from a historical farm house, including three rambling porches and the perfect red barn.

Dune Climb Inn (formerly the Duneswood Resort), is just steps away from the dune climb right in the heart of the National Park, with a complete renovation and rebrand in 2024, The Dune Climb Inn is the perfect home base for your outdoor adventures and escape.

Run. To excel at this event, jog trails at the Dunes. If you have access to sand even on a flat surface (such as our beaches in town), use them as training grounds. Try doing sprint intervals in the sand for short distances of 30, 50 and 100 yards. It would be a good idea to set markers at each distance. After a thorough warm-up, try 30 yards at full effort then rest until you feel ready to go again. Sprint 50 yards at about 80% effort and then after minimal rest, try 100 yards or more at 60% effort. You want to lean forward slightly while in the sand and take smaller steps. Lunges, squats and skipping rope are good exercises for leg strength, coordination and development.

Bike. Establishing a steady working pace considering the distance is the key to shaving time off the clock. You need to know the course layout to develop a plan if you are in it to win. Many people practice in the off season attending spinning classes or riding at home on their own stationary set up. The key is to ride flats and hills that are farther and steeper than what the event calls for while maintaining a good pace. Try 20-25 miles at a challenging pace and by race time you can pick up the intensity for the shorter distance. If you are a local, climb Philosophy Hill (Co Rd 675) twice a week for endurance and hill training.

Paddle. Balance and coordination lead to efficiency. If you plan to do the stand-up paddling method, make sure that in addition to getting out on the water that you spend time using other devices to enhance balance. If you are a member of a health club, you can find things like the Bosu balance device, Bongo boards, Indo Boards or anything similar. You have to train the legs and brain in a variety of ways to improve the training effect. With practice, you will improve technique and posture, spend less time clenching your board with your toes and spend more time delivering a powerful paddle stroke. When you have a strong foundation with the legs, practice keeping your abdominals engaged especially when you start the paddle stroke. You want to try and keep your hips square so you don't lose power as you follow through. Some exercises for the upper body and core would include dumbbell rows, cable pulls to the chest and performing rotations for the trunk with cables or elastic bands. These exercises would be similar for kayak users with the exception of the leg involvement.

Any question/comment regarding the M22 Challenge, please email events@m22.com.

Shirt exchange and Awards pickup will be at the Traverse City M22 store only, up to two weeks post event.

Lost and Found will be at the Glen Arbor M22 store only, up to two weeks post event. M22 is not responsible for lost or stolen items.