Hurt The Dirt: Michigan

Hurt the Dirt is 100% flowing, dirt singletrack through hardwood forest and a small section of meadow. Designed by the International Mountain Bicycling Association and West Michigan Mountain Biking Alliance, Luton Park is considered one of the top trail systems in the state for trail running. The trails provide plenty of passing opportunities and racers in past years have found lots of running room fairly quickly into the race. You will race on the green, black, and red loops via the blue loop which is the hub that connects all of the “spokes.” See the Course page for the route.

DISTANCES
quarter marathon – 10k+ (one 6.55 mile loop)
half marathon (2 loops)
marathon* (4 loops)

Runners can “hurt the dirt” because it’s more forgiving than pavement but we want to encourage participants to avoid “hurting the dirt” during the race, when running other area trails and in all of life’s activities. Michigan Adventure Racing is working with the West Michigan Mountain Biking Alliance (WMMBA) and the West Michigan Trail Runners group to help runners, bikers and other trail users understand how to protect Luton Park and other natural areas. The first step is to avoid using trails during muddy or soft snow conditions whether on foot or bike so that our trails remain in great condition and at a singletrack width. Dodging puddles is not a solution – that actually does more damage by widening the trail. And while bikes cause deep ruts, shoe prints can as well. While trails are drying out, find a nice gravel road near you and run that. Thanks!