Spike’s Challenge Race 2026 — Grayling, MI

Date
July 18, 2026
Location
Grayling, MI
Venue
3979 E Beaver Island Road
Start Time
9:00 AM
Entry Fee
$5.00 – $40.00
Events
Spike’s Challenge C2 - Expert 1, Spike’s Challenge C2 - Expert 2, Spike’s Challenge C-2 - Junior or Fledgling, Spike’s Challenge C1, Spike’s Challenge C-1 - Youth (18 and younger), Spike’s Challenge C-1 - Grand Veteran (70 years +)
Includes
T-Shirt
The race is held the weekend prior to the Consumers Energy AuSable River Canoe Marathon and runs from the streets of Grayling to McMasters Bridge. Time trials for starting position are held on Saturday in the Grayling City Park pond. The C-1 Race is on Saturday night and runs from Borcher’s Canoe Livery to Burton’s Landing. The C-2 race is on Sunday where the canoes and teams line up on Ingham Street at 8:30am. The horn sounds at 9:00am and the teams are running towards the Old AuSable Fly Shop for their trek to McMasters Bridge. The purse for this race is over $7000. Held the weekend before the Consumers Energy AuSable River Canoe Marathon, Spike’s Challenge includes a C-1 Race, C-2 Race, Junior and Fledging Races and Mentor Race. The C-2 Race (Grayling to McMasters) is held on Sunday morning and features a Le-Mans style start. Teams line up on Ingham Street at 8:30am and the race starts at 9:00. Sprints are held on Saturday to determine starting positions for the C-2 teams. Teams tha

Spike’s Challenge Race 2026 — Grayling, MI

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Race Travel Insurance

Don't forget travel insurance for July 18.

You've trained for months and booked a trip to Grayling, MI. A pre-race injury, a delayed flight, or a family emergency can derail the whole thing. Travel insurance can help cover your race entry fee, hotel, and flights if you can't make it, and may cover medical costs if something goes wrong on the course. Plans typically only run 5-7% of your total trip cost — and running events are covered under standard plans with no additional coverage needed.

  • Trip cancellation up to 100% of prepaid costs
  • Running events covered under standard plans — no add-ons needed
  • Trip interruption up to 150% of non-refundable costs
  • Emergency medical up to $250,000
  • Cancel For Any Reason add-on available
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