Wolverine State 100

Why We Keep Coming Back

We asked a few Wolverine ambassadors a simple question: Why Northern Michigan in the fall? Their answers reminded us that this race is about more than miles. It's about the places, people, and moments that keep bringing us back. Here's how Sean Brennan answered:

A Love Letter to Northern Michigan in the Fall

Running across northern Michigan is like a series of vignettes, a love letter to the outdoors.

In one weekend, I saw two Great Lakes, clouds of every kind rolling overhead, blue jays, robins, deer, raccoons…

At 3:45 am, all alone, under the light of a moon so bright it didn’t matter that there were no street lights, I saw a meteor shower falling across a crystal-clear, pitch-black sky. 90 minutes later, I was serenaded by an octet (give or take) of chatty elk.

The locals along the way, whether or not they knew about the race, cheered and supported and made it clear why the Mitten is home to us all. I can’t wait to run it back.

Somewhere Along the Way

Andrew Maki, 2025 and 2026 100 Mile Runner

Northern Michigan in the fall isn’t just another place to run. It’s one of the top reasons I fell in love with ultrarunning. You spend hours moving through forests that seem to go on forever, catching glimpses of lakes, watching the sun come up through the trees, and hearing elk bugle in the distance. Somewhere along the way, the pace stops mattering and you start paying attention to everything else.

That’s what makes the Wolverine State 100 so special. It isn’t just a race. It’s a chance to experience Northern Michigan the way very few people ever will. One step at a time, one sunrise at a time, one unforgettable mile at a time. I can’t think of a better place to spend a fall weekend.

Trail Is for Everybody

Shelby Pasch, 2025 Aid Station Captain & 2026 100-Mile Runner

When I first found out about the inaugural Wolverine 100 it checked all the boxes for my debut 100 miler, however, I knew I wasn’t ready. Running 100 miles has been on my list for years knowing that it would take just that – years of preparation. I wanted to give my body – and my family - adequate time to acclimate to the rigorous dedication that training for 100 miles takes. With that, I decided to volunteer. I wanted firsthand experience of what it looked like to run 100 miles. I have volunteered in the running community for years and it never ceases to amaze me how selfishly fulfilling the experiences are. Every nerd cluster and cup-o-noodles handed out impacts someone’s race.

When you are a runner, you have only your experience of the race. Being a volunteer means being a part of every runner’s journey. You get to help 100s of people to keep moving toward their goal. Is it always easy? No. At Wolverine, I captained the aid station at mile 72, meaning we seen runners all night, runners chasing cut-off times, runners whose stomachs have flipped, runners battling hypothermic conditions. Whose feet were battered questioning if they could take another step. When people were in the deepest part of their pain cave, those silent miles seen only by headlamp and fireflies, where you question everything, you know about yourself – the aid station crews are there for you.

I will never forget the moment, around 4am, looking at so many runners huddled around the heater - internally bargaining with themselves if it was worth it to leave the warmth and comfort of a cozy blanket and thinking to myself – they look miserable. That stuck with me even after registration opened but I knew, if I was going to go after this big scary goal, I only wanted to do it in my home state.

So, I signed up. The cherry on top is that it is hosted in Northern Michigan. You ask anyone from Michigan where they go on vacation and I guarantee 90% of them will say, “up north”. Nothing beats fall in Northern Michigan – when time starts to slow down, leaves are changing, you have warm temperatures during the day followed by cool evenings.

The trail running community really is the best. It is a welcoming environment for everyone – walkers, hikers, runners, newbies, veterans of the sport – or if you are like me, the post collegiate - postpartum mom who was sick of chasing PRs and discovered pushing endurance boundaries by seeing how far I can go while making new friends and eating all the snacks! So, whether you are on the trails as an athlete, pacer, crew, or volunteer – you will be welcomed with smiles and cowbells.

Volunteer