03 Jun Ninth Annual Stafford’s Hospitality Top of Michigan Festival of Races
Light rain and cloudy skies did not deter over 300 participants at the ninth annual Stafford’s Hospitality Top of Michigan Festival of Races on May 25 at Bayfront Park in Petoskey.
Runners and walkers of all ages joined in one of three different races, half marathon, 10k, or 5k, all organized by Top of Michigan Trails Council.
Like last year, this year’s race featured routes that kept athletes off of local roads, and on trails, including diverting them through Petoskey State Park.
Petoskey High School track and cross country team members volunteered in a variety of ways, some serving as course marshals while others distributed finisher medals.
Top female finishers in the half marathon were Hailey Richards of Ypsilanti (1:32:37.4), Marissa O’Leary of Oxford (1:43:45.5), and Sofia Coker of Clare (1:43:39.8).
Top male finishers in the half marathon were Daniel Scarpino of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (1:17:28.7), Brendan Thomas of West Olive (1:21:08.9), and Matthew Bondy of Petoskey (1:26:48.4). Scarpino also won last year’s half marathon, but posted a new personal best time this year.
In the 10k run/walk, top female finishers were Elizabeth Meier of Harbor Springs (43:26.9), Rylee Miller of Columbus, Ohio, (46:07.5), and Clare Furlo of Saginaw (50:13.7).
Top male finishers were Noah Honaker of Petoskey (37:20), Paul Hagan of Petoskey (40:40.5), and Ben Waggoner of Maumee, Ohio (42:56.1).
Top female finishers in the 5k were Sarah Mikesell of Shorewood (18:30.5), Koaki Beyersdorf of Farmington Hills (21:57.7), and P. Ford of Harbor Springs (24:55.4).
Top male finishers were Angel Rosado of Morovis (16:25.7), Utah Gusa of Ubly (17:04.2), and Isaac Kaufman of Petoskey (19:21.9).
Stafford’s Top of Michigan Festival of Races serves as a major fundraiser for Top of Michigan Trails Council, a Petoskey based non-profit working to create a network of recreational trails throughout Northern Michigan.
According to Race Director Becca Nelson, the event could not happen without the support of its title sponsor, Stafford’s Hospitality, as well as many others, including, the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau, 4Front Credit Union, American Spoon, Evening Star Joinery, Harbor-Brenn Insurance Agency, Meijer, High Gear Sports, Oleson’s Food Stores, The Outfitter, Rotary Club of Petoskey, Nub’s Nob, Crooked Tree Breadworks, Grain Train Natural Foods Market,, Citizens National Bank, Bay Pines Veterinary Clinic, Bearcub Outfitters, Petoskey Plastics, and Grandpa Shorter’s.
“We are incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to work with our partners, like the City of Petoskey and Petoskey State Park to create a race venue that highlights the beauty of our region. ” Nelson said.
Top of Michigan Trails Council is a Petoskey-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to create and promote a network of recreational trails throughout northern Michigan. Find out more at www.trailscouncil.org.