YANKEE SPRINGS WINTER CHALLENGE

The 2026 Winter Challenge will be held on Saturday January 3.  We will be starting at the Long Lake Outdoor Center and running the same beautiful and challenging courses as in previous years.  The start/finish will look a little different because the Long Lake Outdoor Center under new management is closed for the winter, but we have the use of the grounds.  We'll have a heated tent set up for registration and for post-race food.  Cabins will not be available as in previous years, but there are a variety of nice hotels nearby for those who need lodging.

Start/finish location

Long Lake Outdoor Center

10370 Gun Lake Rd, Middleville, MI 49333

Click here for a map.

Race Day Schedule

  • Packet Pickup
    7:00 am-10:00 am
  • 50k start
    8:00 am
  • 25k start
    9:00 am
  • 10k start
    9:30 am
  • 5k start
    10:00 am
  • 5k start
    10:00 am
  • 5k start
    10:00 am
  • cut-off time for all races
    5:00 pm
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The Course

The courses are all rolling, mostly wooded  single track trail with beautiful lake views.  The 5k, 10k, and 25k are single loops.  The 50k is two laps of the 25k.

Click here for a course map.

Aid Stations

There will be one aid station on the 10k course and 3 on the 25k course, one of which 25k runners will go through twice.  There is also a start/finish aid station for 50k runners.  Distances between aid station range from 2 to 4 miles.  All aid stations will serve water, Gatorade, Coke, oranges, bananas, and a variety of sweet and salty snacks.

Pacers

50k runners may have pacers on the second 25k loop.  Pacers are welcome to food and drinks at the aid stations.  We will have a waiver for pacers to sign at the start/finish.  To avoid confusion in timing we ask that pacers step off the course before the finish line.

Race fees

Listed prices include the Ultrasignup registration fees.  Included with the race fee is a crew neck sweat shirt.  Register by December 8 to be guaranteed a sweat shirt.  After that sizes will be available while supplies last.  

Race race day
5k $33.50 $43.50 $45
10k $53.50 $66.25 $70
25k $76.87 $87.50 $90
50k $92.81 $103.43 $105

If you’ve already registered but you want to add lodging, click here >

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