Freighter Festival of Races

SELLS OUT AT 200 PARTICIPANTS

HALF MARATHON TIME LIMIT OF 3 HOURS (13:45 PER MILE PACE)

RESULTS LINK 2026

RESULTS LINK 2025

 

Celebrate the opening weekend of the Freighters passing through the Soo Locks for the beginning of the shipping season!  Yooper Running Company is hosting the 2nd Annual Freighter Festival of Races in downtown Sault Sainte Marie!  There will be a 5K Run, 5K Walk, and Half Marathon Run.  The races will start at 9:00am. The courses will run East along the St. Mary's River to catch some views of upbound and downbound freighters!  NEW START/FINISH AREA: Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours at 515 E Portage Ave next to the Pullar Ice Arena and the Museum Ship Valley Camp.  

 

5K Run and 5K Walk Registration Prices + Option for $20 Long Sleeve T-Shirt

2025 - $20

January 2026 - $25

February 2026 - $30 

March 1 to March 26 - $35

March 27-28 - $40

 

Half Marathon Prices + Option for $20 Long Sleeve T-Shirt

2025 - $40

January 2026 - $50

February 2026 - $55 

March 1 to March 26 - $60

March 27-28 until 8pm - $65

 

Long Sleeve T-Shirt Cutoff: $20.00/Long Sleeve T-Shirt.  Select Size T-Shirts will be for sale at packet pickup.

 

Early Packet Pickup: There will be an early packet pickup from 4-7pm on Friday at the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours (515 E Portage Ave, SSM, MI, 49783).  Arrive early to pick up your bib and t-shirt.  Additional t-shirts available for purchase.

 

Race Day Packet Pickup: Race Day Packet Pickup will be available from 7:30-8:45am near the start/finish area at the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours at 515 E Portage Ave.  There is a parking lot at the Museum Ship Valley Camp (501 E Water St), Pullar Stadium (435 E Portage Ave), and  across from the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours at a large Blue Pole Barn that says Attraction Marketing Services (1157 E Portage Ave)!  Do not park at the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours as that is the staging area for the start/finish.  Any other race day parking will have to be on street parking.  Portage Avenue will be shut down between Johnston and Barbeau Streets from 8:45am-12pm.  The remainder of the course is open to traffic so please stay in the bike lanes opposing traffic on your way out (North Side of the Road heading East) and then back (South Side of Road heading West).  Pasties from Yooper Pasty will be on sale from 9am-12pm race day along with some beverages inside the lobby.  

 

Awards (5K Run, 5K Walk, and Half-Marathon) All participants will receive a unique freighter medal. Long Sleeve T-Shirts are available to purchase with online registration. There will be select sizes available for purchase at packet pickup via EXACT CASH ($20) or Venmo.

Overall Award for Gender, Masters, and Grand Masters: Custom Mug from Bricco Designs, 12oz coffee bag from Drummond Island Coffee. Overall Gender Winners will receive 2 free tickets to a Famous Soo Locks Boat Tour and a free entry into 7 Bridge 7 Brews 5K/10K as well. 

Age Group Awards 1st Place: 0-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+. Custom Mug from Bricco Designs, 4oz coffee bag from Drummond Island Coffee.

 

Hotels: Please check the following website for a list of lodging options. There are many hotels within several miles of downtown.  Sault Sainte Marie Hotels and Motels

 

Restrooms: There are plenty of indoor restrooms available inside the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours Building.  Their building is within 50 meters of the start/finish.  There will be 1 porta potty on course near the Riverside Cemetery that is located around the 4mile/9.1mile mark of the half marathon.

 

Aid Stations: There will be 7 aid stations with water, Gatorade, and snacks throughout the half-marathon course. Aid Stations will be located at:

 

Aid Station 1 and 7: 1.55 mile mark near Aune Osborn Campground (5k turnaround North Side of Road) / 11.55 mile mark (South Side of Road)

 

Aid Station 2 and 6 (McLeod Residence): 3.1 mile mark (McLeod Northeast Side of Road) / 10 mile mark (McLeod Southwest Side of Road)

Sponsored by Jess Johnston of Five Water Realty, and Jason McLeod

 

Aid Station 3 and 5 (Riverside Cemetery): 4 mile / 9.1 mile mark w Porta Potty

 

Aid Station 4: 6.55 mile mark (half-marathon turnaround).

 

Volunteers:  We will need volunteers for packet pickup (needed), aid stations (LSSU Kinesiology Club), traffic intersections/turns, and awards table.  Free or discounted entries for current or future races available.  Email yooperrunning@gmail.com if interested.