A lakeshore getaway for Chicago runners, spectators, and families
By the time the skyline of Chicago slipped into the rearview mirror, the weekend already felt different. The usual race-day nerves were there, but so was the promise of more than a starting line. For athletes traveling from Chicago, Manistee, Michigan offers the rare kind of race weekend that feels like both a competition and a family vacation.
The drive north from Chicago to Manistee is manageable enough for a long weekend, covering roughly 261 miles and taking about four hours and fifteen minutes in typical conditions. It is the kind of trip that lets runners leave after work, cross into Michigan, and watch the pace of the weekend gradually slow as city traffic gives way to lakeshore roads, farm fields, and small-town signs pointing toward Lake Michigan.
For me, as a Chicago runner used to training along the Lakefront Trail, the appeal of Run the Pier was immediate. I ran the marathon on Saturday, July 25, in Manistee, where the event also included multiple distances, from the 5K and 10K to the half marathon. The course experience centered on one unforgettable feature: we headed out onto Manistee’s historic North Pier, circled the lighthouse, and returned with Lake Michigan at our side. From there, the marathon route continued along scenic Lakeshore Drive, offering sweeping water views and a Northern Michigan running experience that I found very difficult but very beautiful.
Race morning began with the familiar rhythm of every runner’s family trip: alarms before sunrise, quiet hotel hallways, coffee in travel cups, and runners bundled into throw-away sweatshirts even though the July day would soon turn warm. At Duffy Park, the festival atmosphere built quickly. All runners also received a free cup of coffee at the start line, which was a thoughtful touch before the long miles ahead. Athletes stretched, checked watches, and scanned for friends from local running clubs. Families spread out near the start and finish areas, holding signs, snacks, and camera phones. Food trucks and race-day activity made it easy for spectators to settle in rather than simply wait.
When the race began, the reason for the trip became clear. The air off the lake felt cooler than a Chicago July morning, and the course offered a visual reward that few city races can match. Runners moved toward the pier with the lighthouse ahead, the water stretching wide on both sides, and families cheering from nearby vantage points. For athletes chasing a personal best, the race offers structure, timing, and support. For runners who came for the memory, the pier itself becomes the medal before the medal.
For me, the course itself became one of the most memorable parts of the destination event. Although portions of the route offered welcome relief, the race was really a constant set of rolling hills. The first 5K was flat and took runners out to the pier, around the lighthouse, and back to the start line, giving me a smooth and confidence-building start before the harder miles began. From there, runners headed north and began the first real set of hills from miles 4 through 10. After that climb-heavy stretch, we reached a three-mile out-and-back that was flat, which gave us a chance to catch our breath and relieve our legs a bit before continuing the trek north. The route then carried us to the 16.5-mile marker, where we turned and headed back toward the start line. That portion of the course took runners through heavily wooded areas that were picturesque, quiet, and beautiful, even as the rolling terrain continued to test our legs. The entire course was on pavement, and the rest of the marathon was a real challenge, with enough steady climbs and rolling terrain to make pacing, patience, and mental toughness just as important as fitness. The full marathon began at 7:00 a.m., giving us an earlier start before the warmest part of a summer day on the lakeshore, and the paved route along Lake Michigan and scenic Lakeshore Drive still delivered the lake views, fresh air, shoreline curves, and signature North Pier and lighthouse section that made the miles memorable. On portions of the course, I lost my phone signal, which was both refreshing and terrifying because I was stuck listening only to my pounding feet.
Race amenities were also designed to support both serious runners and first-time destination racers. The event offered professional timing, custom finisher awards, an official Run the Pier race shirt, nine well-placed aid stations along the course, and enthusiastic volunteers. One of the most unexpectedly impressive amenities was the mobile restroom, which was incredible. It felt more like a mobile home than a typical race bathroom setup, with three stalls for men and three stalls for women, complete with a working sink. For Chicago runners accustomed to larger urban races, Run the Pier offered a smaller-field experience with a more personal, community-driven feel.
For lodging, we stayed at the Hampton Inn in Manistee, which made the weekend easy for a family traveling in for a race. Having a comfortable, reliable place to return to after packet pickup, beach time, and race-day activities helped keep the schedule manageable, especially with early alarms and post-race recovery to consider. For Chicago families, choosing lodging close to the race area can make a major difference: it reduces morning stress, gives spectators a convenient home base, and lets everyone enjoy Manistee without feeling like the weekend is only about logistics. The hotel is approximately 1.7 miles to the race start and finish. I enjoyed my morning walk to the start line, but took advantage of my family being at the finish for a ride back on tired legs.
What makes the weekend especially appealing for Chicago families is that the race does not have to be the entire itinerary. After the finish, Manistee opens into a relaxed lakeshore destination. Families can head to First Street Beach, which offers picnic areas, concessions, a playground, a walkable pier, and accessible amenities. Fifth Avenue Beach is another easy post-race stop, known for its lighthouse views, pier walk, playground, volleyball court, tennis courts, and classic beach atmosphere.
The downtown area was especially easy to fold into a race-weekend itinerary because much of the activity centered around River Street, where historic Victorian-era buildings housed a mix of locally owned shops, galleries, antique stores, bakeries, cafés, and restaurants. Families could wander without a strict plan—stopping for coffee or pastries, picking up fudge or chocolates, browsing boutiques and gift shops, or finding a casual lunch before heading back toward the beach. The Downtown Manistee Marketplace includes nearly 150 businesses and community resources, giving visitors plenty of options for food, shopping, entertainment, and services within a compact, walkable area. Restaurants ranged from relaxed cafés and Mexican food to brewpub-style stops and waterfront dining, while the nearby Social District, Riverwalk, Vogue Theatre, and Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts gave non-runners and post-race families several low-key ways to keep enjoying the afternoon without getting back in the car.
For Chicago runners, that balance matters. A destination race has to justify the packing, the drive, the lodging, and the logistics of traveling with family. Run the Pier does that by giving athletes a course worth training for and giving families enough nearby experiences to make the trip feel shared. The runner gets the early morning start, the lakeshore miles, and the finish-line pride. The family gets beaches, playgrounds, food, photos by the lighthouse, and a small-town summer weekend that feels far removed from city routines.
By Sunday, the trip back to Chicago felt different from the drive north. The car was sandier, and we were all a bit worn out from the sun, the race, and a weekend that had turned into the kind of vacation we did not want to end. Manistee had been amazing—beautiful, relaxed, and just far enough away to feel like we had fully stepped out of our normal routine. But as we crossed back over the state lines, reality slowly seeped back into the car. The traffic picked up around the Illinois/Indiana border, the lake weekend started to feel farther away, and it was time to go back.