The Virtual Great Lake-to-Lake-to-Lake Challenge

The Virtual Great Lake-to-Lake Challenge is a free event for members of the Holland Running Club. (To join the club go to https://runsignup.com/Club/MI/Holland/HollandRunningClub3) The route starts at Holland State Park and extends 202 miles to Fort Gratiot Lighthouse in Port Huron. Doing this part completes the Lake-to-Lake Challenge. Making the return trip for a total of 404 miles completes the Lake-to-Lake-to-Lake Challenge. We start on June 1 and continue to August 31 giving us 92 days to complete the task. To virtually run across the state, you will need to average about 15.37 miles per week. To include the return trip, you will need to average about 30.74 miles per week.

How to log your miles:

• If you are already signed into RunSignUp go to the Results tab and continue below.
  • If you are not signed into RunSignUp go to  https://runsignup.com/Race/RegistrationLookup/?raceId=92627&renderMode=results_mode
  • Type in your name.
  • You then have to authorize your results by either inputting your email address or last 4 digits of your phone number. (You won't have to do this step if you are already signed into your RunSignUp account.)
• Click on Submit Virtual Results.
• Now put in your miles. the date, and click on Submit Activity.
• IMPORTANT: On the next page there will be a box for you to submit your goal. Put in 202 if you want to complete the 202-mile Lake-to-Lake challenge. Put in 404 if you want to complete the 404-mile Lake-to-Lake-to-Lake challenge. This can be changed in the future if you change your goal.
• You can now go back to the results and see everyone's progress. You can click on your name and see your progress toward your goal. At the bottom of this page there is a map of our route and where you are virtually located on the map. Very cool! (Note: It may take a minute or two for your results to show up after you submit them.)
• If you need to make any corrections or deletions in your activities. You need to log into RunSignUp, go to your activities, and click on the pencil icon to edit or the trash icon to delete.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Q: Do I have to run the whole way? A: No. You can run or walk and if you can’t walk, you may crawl. However, the use of  bikes, scooters, jetpacks, hoverboards, or the back of horses is prohibited. 
• Q: Do I need a GPS watch or Strava to show proof that I ran the distance? A: Most people will be using a GPS watch, but you don’t have to. You will be recording your miles using the Honor System. However, if you are motivated by kudos, you will need to be on Strava.
• Q: Do treadmill miles count?  A: Yes, but why in the world would you want to do that?
• Q: I'm also running in another virtual race this summer. Can I count those miles for the Lake-to-Lake run? A: Yes. While you can’t double dip your chip, you can double dip your miles.
• Q: My Fitbit keeps track of all the steps I make each day. Including those back and forth to my refrigerator and these really add up. Can I count these miles?  A: No. You should only be counting the distances you cover when you actually go outside to run or walk (except for those on a treadmill). The route across Michigan does not go through houses or next to anyone’s refrigerator, so we are not counting those miles in your house.
• How will you keep track of our distances? A: Once you finish your run or walk on a certain day, just go to Runsingup and enter your miles. You will be able to see your overall progress.
• Q: What about the miles I spend mowing my lawn outside---will those miles count? Mowing or spreading mulch miles will not count. We are not mowing across Michigan. Only include the miles where you actually go for a run or walk with the purpose of covering a distance.
• Q: Will there be finisher awards? A: Yes, we are planning on getting custom oval car stickers made, one for the Lake-to-Lake Challenge and one for the Lake-to-Lake-to-Lake Challenge. 
• Q: Is this the running motivation that I need this summer? Why yes. This is exactly the running motivation you need this summer. If you can’t wrap your head around how to start training for an October Riverbank run, this will help get you started. Also, all your friends will be doing it, so you won’t want to be left out.