Mt. Baldhead Challenge

Mt. Baldhead Challenge Race Information

<h3><span style="color:rgb( 232 , 182 , 67 )"><strong>Get ready to conquer the Midwest’s Ultimate Multi-Terrain Race™!</strong></span></h3> <p><span style="font-size:14pt">The Mt. Baldhead Challenge is a multi-terrain race unlike any other. You&#39;ll run through scenic woodland trails, scale coastal dunes, pound the pavement, and climb the 300&#43; steps to the top of the iconic Mt. Baldhead in beautiful Saugatuck, Michigan.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14pt">Lace-up those running shoes and get ready for an unforgettable challenge! &#x1f3c3;‍♂️&#x1f3c5;</span></p> <h5> </h5> <h3><span style="color:rgb( 232 , 182 , 67 )"><strong>Course Information</strong></span></h3> <p><span style="font-size:14pt"><strong>Course Distances:</strong></span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:14pt">There are two course options to choose from: the 10K&#43; (7 miles) or the Half Marathon (13.1 miles).</span></li><li><span style="font-size:14pt">Both courses start at Oval Beach and finish at Coghlin Park in downtown Saugatuck.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:14pt">Both courses trek through gorgeous fresh water wooded sand dunes, trails, and up the Mt. Baldhead steps.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:14pt">The Mt. Baldhead Steps occur at about mile 3.5 for the 10K&#43; course, and mile 4.25 for the Half Marathon course.</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:14pt"><strong>Race Timing:</strong></span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:14pt">Based on chip-times.</span></li><li style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-size:14pt">There will be a staggered start by wave to avoid course congestion. Enter your expected finishing time during registration to be slotted into your respective wave. </span></li><li style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-size:14pt">There is a time limit for the race. All participants must return to Coghlin Park by 12:30 PM based on our contracts with the city and our ability to staff volunteers.</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:14pt"><strong>Hydration &amp; Restrooms:</strong></span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:14pt">Gatorade and water will be provided at hydration stops throughout the course. </span></li><li><span style="font-size:14pt">Each station is no more than 1.5 miles apart.</span></li><li style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-size:14pt">Portable restrooms are located at Oval Beach, Coghlin Park and at designated locations through the course.</span></li></ul> <h5> </h5> <h3><span style="color:rgb( 232 , 182 , 67 )"><strong>Signup Information</strong></span></h3> <p><span style="font-size:14pt"><strong>Registration:</strong></span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:14pt">Priority registration for 2025 and prior participants and 2025 wait-listed runners opens October 18, 2025. Public registration opens November 1, 2025.</span></li><li style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-size:14pt">Early registrants enjoy special pricing. Price increases go into effect on <strong>May 1, 2026.</strong></span></li><li style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-size:14pt">Register early to avoid the wait list.</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:14pt"><strong>Refund Policy:</strong></span></p> <ul><li style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-size:14pt">Refunds are not available. Instead, you may defer to the next year or transfer events/registration.</span></li><li style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-size:14pt">There is race insurance available during registration.</span></li><li style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-size:14pt">There will be a new bib number issued for transfers.</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:14pt"><strong>Gender Options:</strong></span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:14pt"> Non-binary, male, and female options are available.</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:14pt"><strong>Ultimate Lifetime Challenge Participants:</strong></span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:14pt">Ultimate Lifetime Challenge members have guaranteed entry and are not subject to the waitlist.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:14pt">Your registration details will be sent via email, with a unique link to register for this year&#39;s event. Click through this link to claim your guaranteed entry.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:14pt">You must register for this year&#39;s event to participate.</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:14pt"><strong>Deferred 2025 Registrants:</strong></span></p> <ul><li style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-size:14pt">Your registration details will be sent via email. </span></li><li style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-size:14pt">You will have a credit in your RunSignup account that can be applied to your 2026 registration.</span></li><li style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-size:14pt">You must register for one of the 2026 events to claim your deferral.</span><span style="color:rgb( 241 , 196 , 15 )"><span style="color:rgb( 232 , 182 , 67 )"></span></span></li></ul> <h3> </h3> <h3><span style="color:rgb( 241 , 196 , 15 )"><strong><span style="color:rgb( 232 , 182 , 67 )">Pre-Race Information</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 );font-size:14pt">Packet Pickup:</span></strong></span></h3> <ul><li><span style="color:rgb( 241 , 196 , 15 )"><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 );font-size:14pt">Location: Community Church of Douglas</span></span></li><li><span style="color:rgb( 241 , 196 , 15 )"><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 );font-size:14pt">Date &amp; Time: </span></span> <ul><li><span style="color:rgb( 241 , 196 , 15 )"><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 );font-size:14pt">Friday, September 11: 12 pm - 8 pm</span></span></li><li><span style="color:rgb( 241 , 196 , 15 )"><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 );font-size:14pt">Saturday, September 12: 7 am - 8 am</span></span></li></ul> </li><li><span style="color:rgb( 241 , 196 , 15 )"><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 );font-size:14pt">You can also have your packet mailed to you by selecting the mail away packet option during registration.</span></span></li></ul> <p><span style="color:rgb( 241 , 196 , 15 )"><strong><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 );font-size:14pt">Parking:</span></strong></span></p> <ul><li><span style="color:rgb( 241 , 196 , 15 )"><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 );font-size:14pt">Locations: Oval Beach and Community Church of Douglas</span></span></li><li><span style="color:rgb( 241 , 196 , 15 )"><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 );font-size:14pt">Shuttles: Buses from the Community Church of Douglas to Oval Beach, departing beginning as soon as the first bus is filled with runners.  </span></span></li></ul> <h3><span style="color:rgb( 241 , 196 , 15 )"><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 );font-size:14pt">   </span></span></h3> <h3><span style="color:rgb( 232 , 182 , 67 )"><strong>Post Race Information</strong></span></h3> <ul><li style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-size:14pt">Celebrate with your fellow runners at the Mt. Baldhead Challenge post-race party at Coghlin Park! </span></li><li style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-size:14pt">Complimentary music, lawn games, photo opps, food, and refreshments will be provided. All runners will receive a free drink ticket (21&#43;, please bring valid photo ID) with their bib. </span></li><li style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-size:14pt">Pick up some MBC merch at the Swag Store.</span></li><li style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-size:14pt">Shuttles will return you to your parked vehicles at the Community Church of Douglas and Oval Beach.</span></li></ul> <h5> </h5> <h4><span style="color:rgb( 232 , 182 , 67 )"><strong>Why We Race</strong></span></h4> <p><span style="font-size:14pt">Every dollar of net proceeds supports FREE after-school and summer life-enrichment programs at Saugatuck Public Schools provided by the Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of Greater Holland.</span></p> <h5> </h5>