Running Between the Vines
Run through the largest park in the Lower Peninsula
The 20,000-acre park you’ll run through, the Waterloo Recreation Area is filled with lakes and dozens of miles of hiking, mountain biking and nature walking trails.
Most of the race unfolds along the dirt back roads that wind through Waterloo, along which you can expect plenty of rolling hills and perhaps even some wildlife you might see from the course, as well as plenty of shade from the trees along the roads.
Start at Sandhill Crane Vineyards
The race will take you on an out-and-back course that starts and finishes at the Sandhill Crane Vineyards, a family-owned winery that offers a beautiful backdrop for the race start, with wine grapes in the fields surrounding the tasting room center on the property.
From there, you’ll head out onto what is roughly a clockwise figure-eight-shaped loop through the Waterloo Recreation Area, starting with a downhill stretch in the first mile followed by ups and downs throughout the rest of the race.
And of course, there will be a glass of Sandhill Crane wine waiting for you at the finish line when you’re done.
Race Weather & Climate
Located about 40 miles west of Ann Arbor (and about 80 miles west of Detroit), Jackson typically sees some of its warmest and wettest weather of the year in August, when temperatures average between the upper 50s and 80 degrees, and rainfall totals average just under 4 inches for the month.
Starting Time
- 7:30 AM – half marathon
- 7:50 AM – 5K
- 8:30 AM – 5-mile
Fees
- $69 – $85 for the half marathon
- $44 – $60 for the 5-mile
- $39 – $50 for the 5K