Runners Take On the Mount Baldhead Challenge

They call it the race that will change your life. The Mount Baldhead Challenge is the ultimate multi-terrain race that begins and ends at our famous Oval Beach here in Saugatuck. After a year off in 2020, the race is back again on Sept. 11, 2021 – bigger, badder and better than ever!

The race has two innovative and challenging courses that test athletes while showcasing the beautiful and diverse landscapes of Saugatuck. The Challenge course twists, turns and climbs around 5.5 miles of Saugatuck trails, and the Ultimate Challenge tacks on an extra 2 miles, for a demanding 7.5 miles. Both courses offer breathtaking water views, fairy-tale forests and even some sandy beach sections. And let's not forget the grueling 302-step climb to the summit of Mount Baldhead. All proceeds from the race benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Saugatuck/Douglas.

It might have a funny name, but Mount Baldhead is no joke. It's a hill and a sand dune in the Sand Hills between Kalamazoo Lake and Lake Michigan. The iconic wooden steps traverse up 250 feet to an observation deck on top of the dune, where you can take in stunning panoramic views of the valley and lake. The park also has a fishing dock, picnic pavilion and hiking trails.

Book your stay with us at The Hotel Saugatuck and make a weekend of it. Pre-race activities begin Friday with the Market at SCA and packet pickup at Saugatuck Brewing Co. Friday evening, enjoy live music from the Kanola Band at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, followed by a Salute to Heroes fireworks display over Lake Kalamazoo. Stay Saturday after the race and explore all of the great restaurants, shops and art galleries that Saugatuck has to offer!