Sault International Festival of Races

About the Event

The 5 Mile International Bridge Run on Day 1 is a RUN. You are required to maintain a pace of 15 minutes per mile or faster in order to ensure the International Bridge can open back up in the appropriate time. This is NOT A WALK. Those who walk the entire course and are struggling to maintain pace may be asked to stop and receive a shuttle from the International Bridge Authority. There is a free annual walking event over the bridge in late June that usually coincides with Engineers Day.

The 2026 Sault International Festival of Races will take place September 26-27, 2026. Races will begin at 8:00am on both Saturday (5 Mile Bridge Run) and Sunday (Half Marathon, 5K Run, and 5K Walk). For those traveling from Canada make sure to note the bridge will have a specific closing time prior to the race (7:45-9:45am). Give yourself additional time in case of a traffic backup. The last event took place in 2025 which saw 720 participants take part in multiple races. The 5 Mile Bridge Run will run across the International Bridge on day 1 (Saturday) starting and finishing on the historic campus of LSSU. The start/finish area will now be at the LSSU Arts Center. There are views of the Soo Locks, LSSU, the St. Mary's Rapids, passing freighters, and more! There will be a half-marathon and 5k that DO NOT CROSS the International Bridge on Day 2 (Sunday) that will start/finish near the heart of downtown Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. Participants wanting to participate in both Day 1 and Day 2 races are required to register for each race separately.

You will want to carry an ID in case of a medical emergency. A passport is not required while running but recommended. All citizens traveling from Canada will still need a passport in order to travel into the US. We recommend that participants look into purchasing 1 day international health insurance from their providers. Emergency personnel will transport participants to the nearest hospital (Canada or US) in the case of a health emergency on the bridge during Day 1.

Races Offered

Virtual 5 Mile Bridge Run

Sep 26, 2026

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Distance — 5 Miles

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Type — Running

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00:00

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$30.00

5 Mile Bridge Run

Sep 26, 2026

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Distance — 5 Miles

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Type — Running

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08:00

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$25.00

Virtual 5K Run

Sep 27, 2026

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Distance — 3.1 Miles

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Type — Running

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00:00

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$30.00

Virtual 5K Walk

Sep 27, 2026

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Distance — 3.1 Miles

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Type — Running

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00:00

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$30.00

Virtual Half Marathon

Sep 27, 2026

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Distance — 13.1 Miles

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Type — Running

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00:00

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$30.00

5K Run

Sep 27, 2026

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Distance — 3.1 Miles

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Type — Running

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08:00

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$20.00

5K Walk

Sep 27, 2026

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Distance — 3.1 Miles

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Type — Running

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08:00

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$20.00

Half Marathon

Sep 27, 2026

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Distance — 13.1 Miles

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Type — Running

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08:00

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$35.00

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for September in Sault Sainte Marie.

thermostat Temperature

12.0° / 20.9°

wb_sunny Feels like

10.6° / 19.6°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

9h 58m

water_drop Avg rainfall

2.2 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

10.0 km/h (Light breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

Moderate

terrain Course conditions

Firm and slightly soft

sunny Max UV Index

Moderate (3.5)

humidity_mid Humidity

80.6%

wb_twilight Sunrise

07:16

nightlight Sunset

19:47

About Sault Sainte Marie

Learn more about the host city, Sault Sainte Marie.

Sault Ste Marie or is a city of 14,000 people (2010) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, across the river from the twin city of Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario in Canada.