Stretching 33.5 miles between Kalamazoo and South Haven, Michigan, the Kal-Haven Trail presents a marathon experience that’s both rugged and accessible. This converted rail-trail offers runners and hikers a unique chance to engage with fierce stretches of forest and open farmland, where the terrain varies from packed gravel paths to occasional rocky patches. You will encounter an elevation gain of roughly 200 feet—not mountainous, but enough to keep the rhythm of your feet alert and the breath steady.

The marathon course weaves through stands of northern hardwoods and evergreens that seem to lean in, daring you forward. Rivers and streams cross the trail with currents that shuffle and chatter beneath wood bridges, their voices audible companions throughout the race. Open fields interlude the forest corridors, providing sweeping views where the horizon stretches clear and wide—places to pause, recalibrate, and appreciate the raw openness.

Practicalities are straightforward but vital. Hydration points are spaced but limited; carrying a hydration pack or bottles is essential. Footwear needs traction and cushioning suited for mixed gravel and packed dirt; trail shoes with reliable grip will serve better than road runners. The route’s surface demands vigilance — loose stones and occasional roots seek to trip the inattentive.

Timing the marathon for spring through early fall optimizes comfort—Michigan’s weather fluctuates, with cool mornings morphing into warm afternoons. Early starts can sidestep midday heat and afternoon rains common in summer months. Bringing layers matters; temperatures swing after dawn and shadows lengthen. A light windbreaker helps against gusts that tumble down from the lake nearby.

For those considering this test of endurance and resolve, preparation balances respect for the trail’s natural pulse and your own pace. The Kal-Haven Trail Marathon is not just a race — it is a measured engagement with a landscape that remains fiercely itself, holding you accountable to steady focus, endurance, and a clear-eyed love of moving through nature that talks back. Whether you’re a first-time marathoner or a veteran of trails, it’s a challenge that rewards presence and preparation in equal measure.