Back 9 Endurance Run

The Back 9 Endurance Run is a unique time-based event held at the historic Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor, Michigan. Scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2026, the race takes place on a 3.68-mile loop that winds through wooded trails and the lodge's wilderness golf course. Located within the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, the race offers participants a rare opportunity to run under a protected night sky with views of Brockway Mountain and Lake Superior. The event emphasizes flexibility and strategy, allowing solo runners and teams of two or four to accumulate as many laps as possible within 12 or 24 hours.

The participation demographics for endurance events in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are influenced by the region's rural and remote geography. In Northern Michigan trail events, approximately 95.8% of participants identify as White. Participation from other groups includes roughly 1.4% Hispanic or Latino, 1.2% Asian, and 0.9% Native American. Black or African American participants represent approximately 0.7% of the regional trail running community. In Keweenaw County specifically, the general population is approximately 97% White, which is closely reflected in the local athletic community, though events at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge often draw a broader mix of regional runners from across the Midwest.

Event Logistics and Participant Information:

• -- Solo Rules: Individual runners must begin a new loop at least every 2 hours to remain active in the race. Pacers are permitted for 24-hour solo participants starting at nightfall.
• -- Team Rules: Teams of 2 or 4 must have one runner on the course at all times, with a new lap commencing at least every hour to avoid disqualification.
• -- Timing: The event utilizes an honor system where each runner is responsible for manually entering their lap times on the timing board at the end of every loop.
• -- Environment: Spring weather in the Keweenaw Peninsula is highly unpredictable. Required gear includes a headlamp with extra batteries, rain gear, and warm layers for potentially freezing night temperatures.
• -- Support: A warm-up shack and basic snacks/hydration are provided, but participants are primarily responsible for their own survival gear, including tents and sleeping bags.
• -- Location: Keweenaw Mountain Lodge (14252 US Hwy 41), situated in one of the most northern points of the continental United States.
• -- Policies: Registration is non-refundable and non-transferable. The race director reserves the right to pull struggling runners from the course for safety reasons.

The Back 9 Endurance Run offers a rugged, community-centered challenge for those looking to experience the wilderness of the Keweenaw Peninsula during the long transition from day to night.