Spike’s Challenge Race 2026 — Grayling, MI

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 that do not participate in the sprints will start in the last row. The C-1 Race is held on Saturday night and ends at Burton’s Landing. Lunch and Awards Banquet is held on Sunday at 2:00pm in the Grayling City Park Pavilion – bring a lawn chair. Lunch provided by Spike’s Keg ‘O’ Nails of Grayling. For Schedule of Events, Sprint Course Map, Sprint Rules, and Race Course go to: https://www.ausablecanoemarathon.org/events/spikes-challenge/