Image of past Canal Run (courtesy of Brockit Photography)

It was a warmer-than-usual winter for us in the Keweenaw and Spring is just around the corner. It’s time to set our sites on our health and get outside to walk and run. It’s also a great time to train for this year’s Canal Run.

The Canal Run was founded by Bob Olson in 1975 and has become the premier running event in Upper Michigan’s Keweenaw. Olson was an avid runner and for several years, he ran the event with his family and a couple of volunteers. The race continued to grow with the support of D&N Bank who signed on to sponsor the event. In the early 2000s, UP Health System-Portage (2007) and Finlandia University (2010) signed on to help sponsor the event.

To honor Bob Olson’s tireless commitment to making the Canal Run the premier event it has become, the 10-mile run was renamed the 10-mile Bob Olson Memorial Run and the Canal Run Planning Committee created a scholarship following his death in early 2018.

In 2009, Canal Run expanded to include a five-mile event, in 2013, a half marathon was added and in 2018, a two-mile fun run/walk was added. Following the rolling hills along the Portage Lake Shipping Canal, the race currently offers a half marathon, half marathon wheelchair division, 10-mile run, 10-mile walk, 5-mile run, 5-mile blade division, 5-mile walk, and 2-mile run/walk!

The race has had as many as 850 runners and looks to grow participation with its Race to 1000 referral program where Canal Run runners and walkers can refer first-time racers for a discount on their race. Anyone registering for the 2024 Canal Run can refer new racers for a $5 discount. Get 2 new racers to sign up and get $10 off your race entry.

Canal Run is a self-sustaining event, bringing in enough money in registration fees and sponsorships to cover all the costs to host the race. Since 2011, the organizing committee created the Canal Run Gives Back Program that’s raised more than $25,000 for nonprofits in our community. This year’s recipient is the Copper Country Humane Society.

Become a sponsor today

Canal Run invites you to become a sponsor. Your company has a chance to get your brand in front of many people, support a healthy and family-friendly event that’s been a staple in our community for 49 years, and feel good being a part of an event that gives back. Become a race name sponsor offering a scholarship to allow more racers free registration or hosting an aid station in your company’s name are potential opportunities for you for 2024. Contact Canal Run by calling 906-483-1187 or emailing hello@canal.run for more information.

Preparing for 50th Anniversary in 2025

Do you have more information on the race’s history? E-mail Canal Run the information you have at hello@canal.run, if you have old photos, videos or memorabilia, we’ll add it to our website!