Run MI 5K Challenge – one 5k in every county
I set a long-term challenge for myself: run a 5K in all 83 Michigan counties.
As of now, I’ve run in all 83 counties!
What began as a simple idea quickly evolved into something more substantial. It’s been more than running. It’s about showing up. Over and over. Through all kinds of weather, terrain, life changes, and unexpected detours. It’s a challenge built on consistency, not speed.
This page documents that journey—and hopefully inspires you to think about your own.
Click on each county for information about that run!
Viral Video!
Read about how this video went viral!
Final County Run – Keweenaw, MI
I completed my final county—Keweenaw, Michigan—on Friday, September 26th, 2025, on Isle Royale. It was such a wonderful day!
Explore the Challenge
Click on the map to explore each run. Every county has a short reflection, photos, and sometimes a few travel notes. If you’re a fellow runner, connect with me. I always welcome good running tips.
What’s Your Goal?
This project isn’t about competition. It’s about commitment.
We all have our own version of a 5K-in-every-county goal:
- Starting to run for the first time
- Finishing your first race
- Building a habit and sticking with it
- Recovering from injury
- Running through something hard
- Or simply deciding this matters to me
- Whatever your goal is, you’re not alone in working toward it.
My Running Journey
My journey as a runner began in 2005 when I signed up for a Couch to 5K program with Lisa Taylor. After finishing the program, I jumped right into a 10K—the Bayshore race in Traverse City. Since then, I’ve completed countless 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons.
Before starting this project, I realized I’d already run in 11 different Michigan counties—but for this project, I decided to start fresh. I’m revisiting each of them, intentionally, with this challenge in mind.
What’s Next: One Goal Ends, Another Begins
What’s Next: One Goal Ends, Another BeginsAs I near the finish line of my Run MI 5K Challenge, I’m setting a new, complementary goal:
To work with a small business in every Michigan county.
I’ve already worked with clients across several Michigan counties—helping with digital design, marketing, content, websites, and more. Now, I’d love to expand that reach and intentionally connect with one business in every county.
To make this goal more accessible, I’m offering a discounted rate to the first business that contacts me from each new county.
Learn more about the work MI county project here
Let’s Connect
If you’re a runner with a big goal, or a small business interested in working together, feel free to reach out. Whether we connect over running routes, stories, or future collaborations—I’d love to hear from you.
