Rainbow Run

Rainbow Run

TART Trails and Up North Pride are hosting the annual Rainbow Run, a color fun run and fundraiser around the Boardman Lake Loop Trail. On June 20, 2026, the event will celebrate the trail systems and the Northern Michigan 2SLGBTQ+ Community during Pride Month. Participants and spectators will be invited to Hull Park to enjoy music and refreshments before and after the run.

The run/walk route will take participants counterclockwise around the 4-mile Boardman Lake Loop Trail. There will be five distinct and separated stations along the route for participants to receive their colors. All participants who register by May 30th will receive a branded white t-shirt. We will be using a powder made of colored cornstarch that will be human, fish, and environment-friendly and will wash out after a rain to have no long-lasting effects on the park or the City infrastructure. The trail will stay open for public use so please be kind to other trail users.

When

• Friday, June 19, 2026 - packet pick up | Fleet Feet, downtown Traverse City: 4:00-7:00 pm
• Saturday, June 20, 2026 - race day | Hull Park, Boardman Lake Loop Trail: 8:00 am | late packet pick up / check in, 9:00 am | run / walk start, 12:00 pm | event ends

Where

Hull Park | 660 Hannah Ave, Traverse City, Michigan 49686

Route

The run/walk route will take participants counterclockwise around the 4-mile Boardman Lake Loop Trail. Water and bathrooms will be available at Hull Park and Medalie Park. Five distinct color stations will also offer water along the route.

Waves

Participants will identify themselves as runners or walkers at check-in and will be assigned a wave. There will be 8 waves that start 2 minutes apart. Each wave will be limited to 50 participants. This is done so people will generally start and run/walk most of the event near people of their own abilities and speeds. This will also prevent participants from waiting in line to receive their color spray at each color station along the route.

Who benefits

Proceeds will be split between Up North Pride and TART Trails

What is the cost?

• Pre-Registration | $25 Student (17 and under) / $30 Adult (18+) | must register by May 30th to guarantee a t-shirt & early bird pricing
• May 31st price increase | $30 Student (17 and under) / $35 Adult (18+)

Parking & Bathrooms

Public Parking is available across the street from the Traverse Area District Library, at the Department of Public Services (DPS) at 625 Woodmere Ave. (The large back lot is accessible from Hannah Ave.) For safety, we ask that you use either the crosswalk directly in front of the library, or at the Woodmere/Hannah intersection. There is also limited pull-in parking along the railroad tracks on the east side of Hull Park. The Public Restrooms in Hull Park open around 7 am. There are also restrooms just inside the library, which opens at 9am, and at Medalie Park on the far side of the course.

Packet Pick Up

Join us for packet pick up at Fleet Feet on Friday, June 19 between 4 to 7 pm. Grab your t-shirt, wave assignment and stick around for lots of fun at Fleet Feet. There will be a raffle and opportunity to create your own Rainbow Run swag using their custom heat press! Check-in and packet pick up will also be available Saturday morning at Hull Park beginning at 8 am.

Inclement Weather Information

In the event of inclement weather (thunder, lightning, threatening rain), we may postpone or cancel the Rainbow Run. Please check your email on the morning of the event for updates. TART Trails and Up North Pride will also post updates to social media channels if needed. In the event of cancellation or postponement, your registration fee is non-refundable and will be considered a tax-deductible donation to TART Trails and Up North Pride.

The 2026 Rainbow Run is presented by JenTees Custom Logo Gear and Molina Healthcare.