Join us on Saturday, June 8, 2024, to kick off the 76th Mackinac Island Lilac Festival with a great morning race to enjoy the early season beauty on the Island. The course will provide you with the tree-covered paved roads through the center of the Island, and tremendous lake views with the Mackinac Bridge on the horizon. This is certainly a race you don’t want to miss!
Lil’ Lilac Kid’s Race!
There will be a special event for young children starting at 11:45, at the school. Children will run on the lawn outside the school (either 150 or 300 yards, depending on age and ability), and receive a medal at the finish. Race registration includes a shirt.
Race Start and Distance!
Location
The Lilac Festival Run & Walk will start in front of Wyndamere Park on Main Street and finish in the Mackinac Island School yard. (The start is 5 Minutes from the school, so please allow enough time).
The Lil’ Lilac Kids Run will begin and end at the Mackinac Island Public School. Children will run either 150 or 300 yards on the lawn outside the school.
The Bayview Mackinac Race – which will begin on Saturday, July 12, 2025 – is recognized as one of the most challenging freshwater boat races in the world. Join the excitement of the Port Huron to Mackinac Race as boat racers sail Michigan’s Great Lakes to reach their final destination, Mackinac Island. It’s all Pure Michigan from start to finish!
In the ten decades that the Bayview Mackinac Race has been sailed, much has happened. Wars, economic depressions, and other significant events have transpired, yet the Race has gone on. In fact, President Franklin D. Roosevelt wired a message to Bayview during World War II when word reached the White House that the Club was considering canceling the race. That message read: “Sail your race.” Even then, it was clear that this race was and is important for sailors and for the State of Michigan. Bayview did sail the Mackinac Race that year, and has done so every single year since the first Bayview Mackinac Race in 1925, making it the longest consecutively run freshwater race in the world. This year’s race starts on July 12, 2025.
In its own way, the Bayview Mackinac race has become a vital part of Great Lakes history, Michigan history, and sailing history.
Celebrate the start of the race in Port Huron. Then follow the course of the Port Huron to Mackinac Race as they head north along the shores of Michigan’s eastern coast. Join the festivities at the finish line on Mackinac Island. Where the hospitality and celebration is always second to none.
Sailors from 15 different U.S. states as well as Ontario, Switzerland, and as far off as Hong Kong, are preparing for the race of a lifetime – the 333 mile Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, presented by Wintrust.
The Mac, as it is affectionately known, kicks off Friday, July 18, 2025 (cruising division) and Saturday, July 19, 2025 (racing division) with 3,000 sailors competing in this world-class sporting event. Although The Mac remains primarily an amateur event, this race has a proven track record of attracting some of the finest sailing talent in the sport.
The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac is the longest, annual freshwater sailing race in the world. It takes place on Lake Michigan.
Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Quicklinks: (Look for updates as racetime approaches)
Chicago Yacht Club Race To Mackinac – Photos via Instagram
Here are the latest photos of Chicago Yacht Club Race To Mackinac via instagram. If you have an instagram photo to share of Chicago Yacht Club Race To Mackinac, tag it with #cycrtm and your photos will appear in the photo stream below.
It's off to Mackinac Island for more than 285 yachts as they leave Monroe Harbor in Chicago on July 22, 1978. Photo by Michael Budrys. #RacetoMackinac #Mackinacrace #sailing #CYCRTM #americasoffshorechallenge
It's off to Mackinac Island for more than 285 yach...
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Autumn starts tomorrow. Holidays are getting closer.
For family, friends, coworkers, clients…and your yourself! 2026 Chicago Calendar Click the link in the bio or go to BarryButlerPhotography.com
Autumn starts tomorrow. Holidays are getting close...
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Headed to the start of the 2022 Chicago #racetomackinac with team Alpha Puppy! Race #10
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#chicagosailing #lakemichigan #cycrtm #americasoffshorechallenge #chicagotomac #mackinacisland #sailing
Headed to the start of the 2022 Chicago #racetomac...
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The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac (racetomackinac) each year brings racers from across the Great Lakes (and the globe) for the largest annual freshwater yacht race in the world. 2021 was no exception as racers were able to compete in challenging conditions from wind and swells to competitive light air racing across Lake Michigan. This video captures the moments and sailors on board "Chewbacca," a Nelson-Marek 50' racing program from Bayfield, Wisconsin that I’ve been racing with for years as we competed in the 2021 CYC Race to Mackinac.
Wonderful people, memories, and racing all around with the Chewy crew – Better late than never on the edit
#sailing #documentary #cinematographer #photojournalist #yacht #cycrtm #midwest #mackinacisland #yachtracing #sonyalpha
Post-race partying after six days of race committee duty for racetomackinac, and a tiny view of the minor chaos of docking 100+ boats at the island. Parties included a newly created brunch for first timers - both crew of new boat/skipper combos doing their inaugural race, and individual crew members doing their first Mac. Love the positive reinforcement for newbies. #cycrtm
The 2025 Annual Bridge Walk is currently scheduled for Monday, Sept. 1, 2025. Any updates will be posted here as the event approaches.
The Mackinac Bridge will be closed to public traffic from 6:30 a.m. to noon on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025 to accommodate the 2025 Annual Bridge Walk.
No bus transportation across the bridge will be provided as part of the event. Walkers who decide to walk across the entire bridge will need to arrange their own transportation back to the end of the bridge where they started after the bridge reopens to public traffic at noon. There is limited parking space available west of the Mackinac Bridge Authority plaza area.
For those seeking alternative transportation during the event, the local Mackinac Island ferry companies offer transportation between St. Ignace, Mackinaw City, and Mackinac Island, as well as between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. Local transportation companies also offer shuttle service between various locations.
There is no fee or registration required to participate in the walk. The walk begins at 7 a.m. You may start walking any time after the governor’s party starts the walk at approximately 7 a.m. No one will be permitted to start after 11:30 a.m., so make sure you arrive early.
The walk begins in St. Ignace at the north end of the Mackinac Bridge in the Upper Peninsula, and in Mackinaw City at the south end of the bridge in the Lower Peninsula. To participate in the walk you may:
– Walk form either end of the bridge, turning around at the midpoint and returning to the city you started from, where your transportation is located. The turnaround points will move towards the ends of the bridge beginning at 10 a.m., but walkers can walk at least a portion of the bridge if you start by 11:30 a.m. Walkers must be on the side of the bridge they wish to return to before 10 a.m. or you will be turned back.
– Walk from either end of the bridge and continue across to the other side. This option is most like previous bridge walks. However, since bus transportation across the bridge will not be provided, walkers who choose this option will need to arrange for their own transportation back across after the bridge reopens at noon. Walkers who do not reach the midpoint of the bridge before 10 a.m. will be turned back.
– Walk from either end of the bridge, continuing across to the other side, then walking back to the end of the bridge you started from. This option will mean a 10-mile round trip for participants. If walkers in this option do not reach the midpoint of the bridge on their return trip by 10 a.m. will be turned back.
Walkers will use the left-hand outside paved lane as they walk onto the bridge, regardless of which end of the bridge they start from. Walkers who turn back at the midpoint will turn right, then return using the opposite side outside paved lane. Walkers who choose to cross the entire bridge will stay in the left-hand outside paved lane all the way across.
The Michigan State Police and other official personnel will be available in the event of an emergency.
Please note, there are no restrooms on the bridge and the average length of time to walk the bridge is about two hours. Portable toilets will be available in St. Ignace and Mackinaw City.
Baby strollers and wheelchairs are allowed on the bridge during the walk. Prohibited items include signs, banners, umbrellas, bicycles, roller skates, skateboards, wagons and similar types of devices. With the sole exception of working service dogs, no animals are allowed. Walkers must stay away from bridge railings. The inside lane in both directions will remain open for emergency vehicles.
Except for pre-qualified, registered participants in the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness Run, no running or racing is permitted on the bridge. Playing tag on the bridge is not permitted and no smoking on the bridge, please. For information on the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness Run, please go to www.michiganfitness.org or contact the Governor’s Council at 517-347-7891.
You will receive a numbered bridge walk certificate at the completion of your walk. Certificates will be distributed at both ends of the bridge. Individuals under the age of 18 should have the permission of a parent or guardian to participate in the walk. Any two or more people walking together should make plans for a meeting place in the event that they become separated during the walk.
Disclaimer of liability: Before beginning the walk, all participants should carefully determine that they are physically fit and medically able to participate in the annual walk since the physical strain of the walk could lead to serious health problems. Participants should also understand that walking involves risks of injury from falls due to the surface condition of the bridge, contact with other participants, and the effects of weather including high heat and/or humidity.
THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, MACKINAC BRIDGE AUTHORITY, ST. IGNACE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MACKINAW CITY CHAMBER OR COMMERCE, AND ALL THEIR RESPECTIVE EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, VOLUNTEERS AND SPONSORS ASSUME NO OBLIGATIONS WITH REGARD TO SUCH RISKS AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY ARISING FROM ANY WALKER’S PARTICIPATION IN THE ANNUAL WALK.
It’s been a bit since I shared some Mackinac Bridge scenery…so I figure now is a great time! It might go quite well with the update and am about to make too Most specifically….it’s that time of year again! Aka 2024 calendar season is upon us! How in the world has it already been a year anyway ha! In any case, I did just want to let everybody know that I am working diligently on putting together the annual Michigan Landscapes and Lighthouses calendar as we speak! And on that note I just wonder, what do you all think about this new one? I would love to know your thoughts and if you would like to see this one in the calendar! Thanks a million always, everybody and I will be making that announcement soon when they are ready! Most definitely NO later than Thanksgiving 🩷 #mackinacbridge #lights #prettylights #morning #dawn #longexposure #benrousa #nightphotography #neverstopexploring #ice #shotzdelight #uptravel #shotz_fired #eclectic_shotz #mynorth #puremichigan #natgeo #natgeotravel #mackinawcity #earth_shotz #ig_shotz #uptravel #reflections #nisifilters #nikonnofilter #michiganders #midwestlivingmag #natgeo #natgeotravel #ipulledoverforthis #visualambassadors #earth_pix #nikonusa
It’s been a bit since I shared some Mackinac Bridg...
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This is the wide range of #PureMichigan colors you can find when you #KeepSummerFresh. Use the hashtag with your own post and every Friday we will share some of the best warm weather moments from around the state.
: cowtownchad : Blue Water Bridge
: burgerplex : Mackinac Bridge
: csterken : Little Presque Isle
: chrisahernphotography : Hart Plaza
: mv_analog : Lake Erie
#BlueWaterBridgee #MackinacBridge #LittlePresqueIsle #VisitDetroit #LakeErie #LakeLife
Evening strolls at sunset on Mackinac Island are t...
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Did you know these islands are found in the Upper Peninsula?
Les Cheneaux Islands is located about 30 minutes east of the Mackinac Bridge and is a small archipelago of 36 islands. It's one of the less traveled areas in the U.P. and is filled with endless opportunities for exploring.
Read our Weekend Guide to The Les Cheneaux Islands by shaleewanders for more details about this hidden Great Lakes gem
shaleewanders
64 years ago today the Mackinac Bridge opened to t...
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In the world of landscape photographers, there is a term we refer to as the ‘bucket list shot’. As we have to work with and are basically at the mercy of Mother Nature and weather conditions (they do what they want! )…there are times a plenty where we have to make multiple (maybe even many!) attempts at getting ‘that shot’. And this is one of those examples. I have envisioned this Mackinac Bridge shot with the following elements: calm, glassy waters (aka reflections! ), a beautiful pre-dawn sky, and some peacefully floating (thawing, ‘Spring-vibey’ ice! I also gotta hand it to greatlakesgirlimages, who has far more discipline than me in the weeee morning hours haha! After having a grand old time on the OTHER side of the bridge last night, 5am came awfully early! Early enough where…I found myself making excuses for hitting that snooze button and convincing myself, we’ll maybe I could just sleep a little longer! Sooo thaaank you, Karen for encouraging me to get out of bed early enough to get there early enough that I wasn’t running like a ‘last minute Sally’ for the sunrise! We managed to capture so much beauty…freedom from the ‘nautical start’ hour, blue hour and clear to sunrise! And what a beautiful morning it was!! I hope everyone has had a fabulous weekend so far! #snow #mackinacbridge #winter #weather #sunrise #blueice #neverstopexploring #ice #shotzdelight #uptravel #shotz_fired #eclectic_shotz #mynorth #puremichigan #natgeo #natgeotravel #natgeoyourshot #earth_shotz #ig_shotz #uptravel #reflections #nisifilters #nikonnofilter #michiganders #midwestlivingmag #natgeo #natgeotravel #ipulledoverforthis #visualambassadors #ig_myshots #earth_pix #nikonusa
Mac & Trees. #michigan #puremichigan #mackinacbrid...
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The Mighty Mac and blue ice catching some morning sunlight.
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#puremichigan #uptravel #mackinac #mackinacbridge #blueice #mackinacblueice #bestofthegreatlakesstate
The Mighty Mac and blue ice catching some morning ...
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It's not Halloween, but it looks straight out of a horror movie: The Mackinac Bridge looked like it disappeared into some scary-looking fog Wednesday afternoon.
"Unfortunately, what you're seeing today is not fog surrounding the mackinacbridge but smoke coming from the wildfires and our neighbors to the North," the Mackinac Bridge Authority posted on Wednesday.
Check the link in our bio for more.
#detroit #michigan #mackinacbridge #wildfires #canada #canadianwildfires #fog
It's not Halloween, but it looks straight out of a...
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Mighty Mac in Blue!! Had to post some blue for Lions vs Commanders today! puremichigan detroitlionsnfl
#blue #blueice #mackinac #mackinaw #mackinacbridge #frozen #ice #winter #cold #michigan #puremichigan #michiganphotography #golions
Race Start Time is 9:30 am on Saturday, September 6!
End your Summer with the Mackinac 8 Mile Road Race
Join us for the 54th anniversary of this exciting, summer-ending event. You will experience Mackinac Island in one of the oldest and most scenic races in Michigan. The Island is a unique destination that can only be reached by ferry. Step back in time to a bygone era where travel is done by foot, bicycle, carriage or horse. With up to 1,600 runners and walkers, this is definitely a race you and your family will never forget!
Great Race Shirt and Medal!
A great long sleeve shirt
Commemorative Mackinac Island Eight Mile finisher medal\
Free race photos
2025 Mackinac Island Trio Series!
Register for three RunMackinac races (either the Fort2Fort 5 Mile or the Lilac Festival 10K, plus both the Mackinac Eight Mile and the Great Turtle Trail Race) and you will receive a special Mackinac Island Trio Series medal. This will be a separate medal from the other finisher’s medals you will receive at the completion of all three races, and will be awarded following the Great Turtle Half Marathon. To register for the Trio, go to either the Fort2Fort or Lilac 10k races and you will see the registration box. You can also register individually for all three events and be eligible for the Trio and the medal.
Special Rates at Mission Point Resort for the 8 Mile Race and the Trio Series!
Mission Point is holding rooms for all RunMackinac events at special rates – if you call to reserve rooms for your three Trio races and tell them you are doing the Trio, you will receive a 10% discount. Call 800-833-7711 to get the 10% Trio discount.
For something different, something fun, tee up the vacation of a lifetime with our Late Summer Michigan Golf Live Package. Named for the state’s leading golf program, Michigan Golf Live, show host Bill Hobson coordinates this special event — complete with three days of unlimited golf on The Jewel, prize giveaways, private evening receptions, a golf scramble, and more.
Package Includes:
Grand Hotel Accommodations
Breakfast and dinner daily
All Grand Hotel Amenities
Unlimited golf on The Jewel (cart included)
Welcome Reception
Monday morning golf tournament
Boxed lunches on Monday afternoon
Monday evening reception and awards presentation
Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum
This Michigan Golf Live Package can also be booked by calling Grand Hotel Reservations at 1-800-334-7263. We encourage you to book early as both golf packages have sold out in previous years.
About Michigan Golf Live
Now in its third decade of celebrating the greatest game on Earth, Michigan Golf Live continues to grow its audience throughout the Midwest on both radio and television. Executive Producer and Host, Bill Hobson is found behind the mic and in front of the camera every weekend of the season, with MGL Radio heard across the state on 15 stations every Saturday morning, and MGL TV seen on FOX Sports Detroit each Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 AM.
*Subject to Michigan 6% sales tax, 3% Mackinac Island assessment, and a $15.00 per person, per stay, baggage-handling charge. Regular children’s rates apply. Extra charges apply for additional adults over double occupancy rates. Dates are subject to availability. A 30-day cancellation policy applies.
