2019 Festival of Races

Participants in the 2019 Stafford’s Top of Michigan Festival of Races enjoyed a great day of competition on the Little Traverse Wheelway on Saturday, May 25. The challenge of five different races were met by a total of over 600 runners. This race event is hosted by Top of Michigan Trails Council with volunteer assistance from of the Petoskey High School track, cross country and soccer teams and a multitude of community volunteers. The proceeds from the event benefit Northern Michigan trails as well as the PHS teams that assist on race day. The Charlevoix 5K event was hosted by Charlevoix Fitness Center, with support from several Charlevoix area businesses. Participants in the 2019 Stafford’s Top of Michigan Festival of Races enjoyed a great day of competition on the Little Traverse Wheelway on Saturday, May 25. The challenge of five different races were met by a total of over 600 runners. This race event is hosted by Top of Michigan Trails Council with volunteer assistance from of the Petoskey High School track, cross country and soccer teams and a multitude of community volunteers. The proceeds from the event benefit Northern Michigan trails as well as the PHS teams that assist on race day. The Charlevoix 5K event was hosted by Charlevoix Fitness Center, with support from several Charlevoix area businesses. Proceeds from this race benefit Charlevoix High School sports.

Runners took part in three point-to-point events: the Marathon (Charlevoix to Harbor Springs), the Half Marathon (Bay Harbor to Harbor Springs) and the 10K (Trail Center on M 119 to Harbor Springs). Two and 5K out and back races were held as well, one from the marathon start line in Charlevoix, and one from the finish line in Harbor Springs.

The 5K race in Harbor Springs offered a venue for the final race for “Harbor Soles” and “Petoskey Runners by the Bay”, two groups that encourage character and strength in elementary girls through a spring running program. Over 125 girls and their support runners completed the course.

This event depends on the support of area businesses and organizations in order to be successful. In addition to the title sponsor, Stafford’s Hospitality, the Trails Council is grateful to the following platinum, gold, silver and bronze sponsors for their financial and material support for this year’s event: 4Front Credit Union, American Spoon Foods, Bay Harbor, Bayside Family & Sports Medicine, Bearcub Outfitters, Brummeler & Associates, Charlevoix Agency, Charlevoix State Bank, Grain Train, Harbor Brenn Insurance, High Gear Sports, Kring Chevrolet Cadillac, Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau, Petoskey News-Review, Rotary Club of Charlevoix, and Skydive Charlevoix.

Top finishers in each race:

Marathon Female: 1) Julia Stock, Spring Lake MI 3:09:36.0; 2) Mary Crisenbery, Cadillac MI 3:11:11.0; 3) Molly Mclaughlin, Lake Orion MI, 3:37:42.0.  Marathon Male: Grant Hawes, Milford MI 2:54:51:0 2) Paul Hagan, Petoskey MI, 3:07:32.0 3 12; 3) Jonathan Meengs, Holland MI, 3:19:55.0

Half Marathon Female: 1) Rebecca Molski, Bellaire MI, 1:42:12.0;  2) Jean Seward, Okemos MI, 1:44:36.0; 3) Lacey Sapkiewicz, Ferndale M, 1:45:24.0. Half Marathon Male: 1) Brendon Thomas, Chiang Mai, 1:22:07.0; 2) Dave Smith, Gaylord MI, 1:26:25.0; 3) Bruce Mayrand, Walled Lake MI, 1:27:05.0.

10K Female: 1) Amanda Paul,l Cheboygan MI, 44:05.0; 2) Courtney Busch, Gaylord MI, 46:09.0; 3) Dallas Decklever, Sarasota FL, 51:59.0. 10K Male: 1) Tony Karafiat, Chicago IL, 42:18.0, 2) Ben Waggoner, Maumee OH, 43:08.0; 3) Gerry Mazzola, Okemos MI, 46:27.0.

Harbor Springs 5K Female: 1) Mia Rhudy, Petoskey MI, 22:31.0; 2) Christine Pichardo, Fort Wayne IN, 24:05.0; 3) Tamaki Imai, Plymouth MI, 24:15.0. HS 5K Male: 1) Tom Nisbet, Brighton MI, 22:00.0; 2) Tommy Eberhardt, Roswell GA, 22:45.0; 3) Doug Ritter, Grand Haven MI, 24:13.0.

Charlevoix Fitness 5K Female: 1) Melissa Purdy, 2) Amanda Evans, 3) Jennifer Jess. Male: 1) Jeff Mason, 2) Ben Peterson, 3) Matt Peterson.