Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Run

 

Basics.

• The Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Run starts on the St. Ignace side of the Mackinac Bridge on I-75, which is on the northbound side of I-75, just southeast of the tollbooths. The runner area is fenced off and near the LED Mackinac Bridge sign (refer to photo above). There will be Bridge Authority staff to help guide you to the entrance to the runners area. See map below.
• You must arrive to the fenced off runners area no later than 6:20 a.m. to take part in the event.
• You must have/wear your official Bridge Run tee to be able to enter the runners corral, no exceptions.
• We do not provide shuttle service to the start line, however third party shuttle service is available. See below.
• Hotel Shuttles are for the Bridge Walk and will not prioritize getting you to the starting line for the run on time. Do not rely on hotel shuttle services.
• There are no ferry lines that will bring you to the starting line. 
• Do not stay on Mackinac Island the night prior to the run, unless you have your own boat to get you to the other side, then transportation to get you to the starting line. There are no early ferries or planes off Island that will get you to the run on time. 
• Traffic is generally heavy the morning of the event as folks will be lining up for the Bridge Walk at the same time.
• There is no packet pick up at the starting line, you must pick up your shirt/bib/etc., at the Mac City Recreation the day prior or morning of the event.

Transportation Options from Mackinaw City Rec Center to the Start Line

Northern Transport & Shuttle offers shuttle service for a fee from either side of the Mackinac Bridge. They pick up the Mackinaw City Recreation Center (same place as packet pick up). Reservations are not required. It is first come first served and they will operate continually from 5:00 a.m. until 6:10 a.m. The cost is $20 per person and they accept cash only. Tipping is encouraged. The location for the shuttle service on the St. Ignace side will be added here by midsummer.

Uber & Lyft
Uber and Lyft provide service in the Mackinaw City area. It will be vital to book ahead as they sell out. You must inform your driver that you need to be the starting line near the Mackinac Bridge Toll Booth on the St. Ignace side of the bridge no later than 6:00 a.m. You can be dropped off at the St. Ignace Welcome Center, then walk about 10 minutes south (towards the bridge) to the starting line to enter the runners corral.

Drop off by family and friends

You can be dropped off at the St. Ignace Welcome Center, then walk about 10 minutes south (towards the bridge) to the starting line to enter the runners corral.

Mackinaw City Parking

All runners are welcome to park at the Village of Mackinaw City Recreation Center. We recommend having someone drop you off on the St. Ignace side of the Mackinac Bridge, then they are welcome to head back and park at the Rec Center for easy post run meet up.

Village of Mackinaw City Recreation Center
507 West Central Avenue, Mackinaw City, Michigan 49701
(231) 436-5351 
Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/WpUQtxWy8cmaF2W38 

Note: This is not the Mackinaw City Recreation Complex, if you have arrived there, leave the complex and turn right to go east on Central Ave. Then turn right one block later on S. Askins Street to enter the parking lot for the Village of Mackinaw City Recreation Center.

St. Ignace Start Line & Parking

If driving from the north to St. Ignace, parking is available on a first come, first served basis at the St. Ignace Welcome Center or the Bridge Authority parking lot. Please note, due to the Labor Day Bridge Walk that follows the run, the parking lots fill up early. The Straits Park is also available, however, it is on the opposite side of the freeway and that makes it difficult to cross, we do not recommend parking there.

Alternate parking may be found on Graham Avenue by Lakeside Cemetery in St. Ignace. Just take the short walk on the pathway through Straits State Park to the Bridge Authority. The best way to avoid traffic to this location is to get off I-75 on exit 348 and follow the road through town to the cemetery.
Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/6scRHCbza9MRsT4cA. 

Mackinac City Post Race Transportation

We do not provide post event transportation. For runners parked at the Village of Mackinaw City Recreation Center, it is an easy walk from the finish line, about 7-ish city blocks, (approximately .7 miles) which takes about 15 minutes. 

Walking Directions: Finish Line to the Village of Mackinaw City Recreation Center: https://goo.gl/maps/5DDgrUCZSiNkVxAW6

St. Ignace Post Race Transportation

There is no public transportation from Mackinaw City to St. Ignace after the run (or walk). Runners will have to make their own arrangements to get back to St. Ignace. The Mackinac Bridge will reopen to vehicle traffic at noon. 

Runners may use the Mackinac Island ferry lines to return to St. Ignace. For schedules, check Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry or Star Line Ferry. Consider spending the day on Mackinac Island. It is a National Historic Landmark and a beautiful place to visit.

NOTE: This registration is for the Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Run, not the Labor Day Bridge Walk. For Bridge Walk details, visit https://mackinacbridge.org/events/walk.

Map to the Runners Staging Area