Fall Fitness Challenge

It’s fall and a beautiful time to get outdoors and get moving! Pick one of the four fitness challenges – register at the Mackinac Island Tourism Booth and receive a copy of the course you selected and a special Mackinac Island water bottle for participating! Be sure to share your photos along the way using the hashtag #GetFitOnMackinac.

Iron Belle Trail Challenge

M-185, which runs the perimeter of Mackinac Island, is part of the Iron Belle Trail. The trail extends more than 2,000 miles from the western tip of the Upper Peninsula to Belle Isle in Detroit. The Native American Cultural Trail also runs along the perimeter road. You will find six individual panels explaining the history and impact of Native Americans in the Great Lakes region. You will need to rent a bike or bring your own for this challenge. This is a relatively flat route with beautiful water views the whole way. You’ll also pass by island landmarks such as Arch Rock, British Landing, Devil’s Kitchen and more! Here’s the challenge:

• Find the Iron Belle Sign near Small Point B&B and do 20 Jumping Jacks.

Along this trail, at each of the six Native American Cultural Trail history panels, perform one of the following challenges:

• 20 Sit-ups
• 10 Lunges (each leg)
• 20 squats
• 20 High Knees
• 20 Kick Butts
• 10 Push-ups

Botanical Trail Challenge

• Weaving along the Arch Rock Bicycle Trail, the Mackinac Island Botanical Trail features seven turnouts with plantings and interpretive signs about the floral life on Mackinac Island. Benches are also scattered along the trail to allow visitors to sit and reflect on the natural beauty around them. This a great way, low impact way to get your exercise, learn about island flora and make your way to one of the island’s most popular destinations, Arch Rock.

Advanced Uphill Challenge

This is an adventurous walk in the woods, with quite a few stairs involved! You’ll get your heart pumping while visiting some island landmarks such as Arch Rock, Sugar Loaf and Fort Holmes! Lace up those hiking shoes and get out there!

Heading East, past Mission Point, before Mile Marker 1 (by Dwightwood Springs):

• walk up Arch Rock Steps

Take Sugar Load Road to Sugar Loaf Rock:

• walk up steps to Sugar Loaf Overlook

Continue up to Fort Holmes:

• do a 20 second wall sit

Take steps down from Fort Holmes:

• Do 20 Jumping Jacks

Walk/jog down Garrison Road past cemeteries, to Turtle Park

At Turtle Park do:

• 10 situps
• 10 second plank

Take Cupid’s Pathway, to Custer Street to the top of Fort Street:

• Stretch at the top of Fort Street

Cool down – take Fort Street down to town – go to Tourism Booth to share photos/video and get your prize

Family Fun Challenge

There is a little something for everyone in the family with this course! You’ll be running, skipping and climbing your way through this challenge all while seeing some great island sights such as Arch Rock, the Botanical Trail and Skull Cave! This route is fun and educational for all!

Start in Marquette Park:

• Run around the statue of Father Marquette 3 times

Far right corner of Marquette Park:

• go up the stairs to East Bluff

Follow the Botanical Trail to Arch Rock:

• Do 10 lunges at Arch Rock

Take Rifle Range Road to Skull Cave:

• Do 15 Jumping Jacks at Skull Cave

Follow Garrison Road to Great Turtle Park:

• Run the length of the soccer field
• Do 15 situps
• Log Roll down the hill 3 times
• Run the bases at the baseball field 1 time
• Swing on the swings for three minutes (or longer)

 Walk/Jog/Skip down Cupid’s Pathway to Custer Street

Be sure to stretch at the Top of Fort Street and walk back downtown