Sat, Sep 26, 2026

Betsie Valley Trail Run

Thompsonville, MI

Registration openAnnual since at least 2021

Half Marathon10K5K1 Mile

Entry is $15 now and rises to $20 after Sep 24, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Betsie Valley Trail Run

The courses follow the Betsie Valley Trail, starting at a sports complex in Thompsonville. The trail is built on an old railroad bed, so it stays flat the whole way. Underfoot is a firm aggregate surface, and the route passes through wetlands and pine and hardwood forest, crossing a creek and a river along the way.

Packet pickup runs the evening before at the Webber Sports Complex, with a race-morning window as well, though the organizers push hard for the earlier option. Parking is right at the ballfield start or a short walk away in downtown Thompsonville. Aid stations carry water, sports drink, and crackers; runners are encouraged to bring their own hydration vessel.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

3.1 Miles · 2025 results

34finishers

21:15winner

33:43median

54:26cutoff

Top 3: Michelle Witt (21:15) · Katie Tritten (22:09) · Joe Coleman (22:39)

13.1 Miles · 2025 results

29finishers

1:27:08winner

1:54:58median

2:52:08cutoff

Top 3: James Smith (1:27:08) · Chris Markules (1:34:16) · Charles Fritz (1:35:54)

6.2 Miles · 2025 results

24finishers

39:46winner

1:00:13median

1:26:32cutoff

Top 3: Kevin Hoxie (39:46) · Blake Howe (41:05) · Adam Lorton (41:16)

The Betsie Valley Trail Run has been held every year since at least 2021. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 3.1 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

13.1 Miles9/26/2026 08:00$79

6.2 Miles9/26/2026 08:30$49

3.1 Miles9/26/2026 09:00$39

1 Mile9/26/2026 11:00$15

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

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Common Questions About the Betsie Valley Trail Run

Will I finish last at the Betsie Valley Trail Run?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.1 Miles field finished slower than 33:43, and the last recorded finisher came in around 54:26, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Betsie Valley Trail Run a good first 3.1 Miles?

It is a small race (34 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 3.1 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Betsie Valley Trail Run?

The 3.1 Miles winner ran 21:15 while the median finisher took 33:43. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.