Canal Run

With safety in mind, most of Canal Run course will be closed for vehicles in 2025

Portions of M-203 will be closed from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025 during the Canal Run, which is celebrating 50 years this year. The closure will be from US-41 to High Point Road. Downtown Hancock on Quincy Street will also be closed as it normally is from the finish line (in front of Quincy Green) down to the start of M-203. 

"Safety has always been our number one concern," Race Director Angela Luskin said. "This move will make the likeliness of an accident much smaller and should give our participants much more peace of mind as they move along our picturesque race course."

The biggest change for racers, in addition to the greater levels of safety, will be slight changes to the shuttles. All participants in the two-mile fun run/walk and five-mile events must take the shuttle to the race starts. The final shuttle for the five-mile race has been moved to 7:45 a.m. The final shuttle for the two-mile fun fun/walk remains at 8:45 a.m. 

On race morning, a detour will in place that directs traffic down Lake Annie Road to get back to M-203. This change is in place to try and make the race as safe as possible for racers and volunteers. The Canal Run's organizing committee will reevaluate next year. 

This change comes after many years of discussions and planning with local and statewide officials. 

"We want to thank Michigan Department of Transportation, the City of Hancock, Hancock Township, Houghton County Sheriff's Office, Houghton County Road Commission, Michigan State Police and many others who provided guidance through this process," Luskin said. "The timing is great as it looks like we might have the biggest event in our 50-year history."

This year's Canal Run includes a half marathon, 10-mile walk, Bob Olson 10-mile run, five-mile walk, five-mile run, two-mile fun run/walk and Keweenaw Coop Kid's Dash. Registration is open now at www.canal.run. Volunteers are also still needed, with a full list of volunteer opportunities listed on the website.

Road Closure (new for 2025!)

• Portions of M-203 will be closed from 8-11 a.m. from High Point Road to the Finish Line in downtown Hancock.
• All racers should plan to take the shuttles to their race start.
  • This is especially true for participants in the two- and five-mile events as the road will be closed for vehicles at their starting location. Racers who miss their events' last shuttle will not be able to get to the start because of the closure.
  • Final Shuttle for five-mile start is 7:45 a.m.
  • Final shuttle for two-mile start is 8:45 a.m.
  • Shuttles leave from the Church of the Resurrection, 900 Quincy St. in Hancock
• Participants who get dropped off at the half marathon and 10-mile starts will need to take the detour through Lake Annie Road on their way back.
• This change is in place to try and make the race as safe as possible for racers and volunteers, the Canal Run's organizing committee will reevaluate the decision for next year.