Introducing Run Milford: a New "Trail Town" Racing Series for Exploring Community Trails
- Dan Cooke
- 16 hours ago
- 5 min read
Can you feel it, Detroit runners? Racing season is JUST AROUND THE CORNER, including the full spectrum of races to register for. Don't miss the opportunity to support "trail town" community racing - AND save on fees - by joining the "Run Milford" Racing Series!
Communities, first and foremost, are built on values.
Yes, excellent schools, exciting events, cutting-edge restaurants, bountiful parks, and an energetic business environment are core elements as well. But without a cohesive set of core values, growing communities often lose that charm, ethos, and identity that made them so attractive in the first place.
For the Village of Milford, Michigan - and its surrounding municipalities - one core value is an emphasis on community-wide outdoor recreation. We first noted that by bestowing Milford the honor of receiving our inaugural "Trail Town Spotlight" feature. The fine folks at Pure Michigan followed suit two years later and named Milford its latest "Pure Michigan Trail Town." The citation included that Milford "has a long history of trail support, planning and development and has served as a destination location for outdoor enthusiasts to live, work and recreate," including near-immediate access to 3 Michigan State Parks, Kensington Metropark, the Michigan Air Line Trail, the Huron Valley Trail, and the Huron River National Water Trail.
And that just scratches the surface. Milford is also home to the annual Milford Bike Fest and Trail Challenge, the hallmark mountain biking event in southeast Michigan. Add in Milford Memories and countless other community-wide events throughout the year, and you can see why Milford constitutes one of the fastest growing municipalities in Metro Detroit.
Speaking of fast, now greater Milford's running community has yet another reason to celebrate. NEW FOR THE 2026 SEASON, our #ExpeditionPartner RunningVenture has unveiled the "Run Milford" racing series: a four-event, season-long series that provides a 20% discount for all participants (plus extra swag). Better yet, we at Expedition Detroit will be providing certain "Age Group Awards" throughout the series.
Ready to "Run Milford," Detroit runners?! Well, you better start moving towards the starting line: this series kicks off THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21st.
Here's a breakdown of everything that you need to know for the Run Milford racing series:
RACE 1: FROSTY 5K
Date: February 21st, 2026
Distances: 5K
Starting Times: 10 AM
Starting/Finishing Line Location: Milford Central Park
Bundle up, Detroit - the Run Milford series kicks off with its "Frosty 5K" race! Starting off from Milford's stunning and recently-renovated Central Park, the majority of the race follows the forested (and paved) Milford Trail through Hubbell Pond Park until its turnaround point just north of the scenic Huron River. After the race, be sure to check out the Milford Winter Market at The Warehouse (located at River's Edge Brewery in Milford).
Pre-Race Information
Registration available online.
Packet pick up and registration on site at The Warehouse from 8:30-10 AM
Race is professionally chip-timed with age group awards and photos.
Swag Details
All finishers receive a custom race medal
All participants will receive a custom race shirt
Awards for top male and female in each event along with top 3 in each age group
RACE 2: MILFORD MEMORIAL DAY RUN
Date: May 25th, 2026
Distances: 1 Mile, 5K, and Double
Starting Times: 8:30 AM (1 Mile/Double) and 9 AM (5K)
Starting/Finishing Line Location: Carl's Family YMCA in Milford
With spring in full swing, embrace the heat and cross off your first "holiday 5K" of the year at the "Milford Memorial Day Run!" Starting off from the pavilion at the Carl's Family YMCA (located adjacent to Hubbell Pond Park), the Memorial Day Run route sticks to the paved Milford-Kensington Trail, hugging the stunning northern shoreline of the Huron River (including a dramatic crossing over the historic Milford Dam). After the race, be sure to stick around town for the celebrated Milford Memorial Day Parade along Main Street.
Pre-Race Information
Registration available online.
Packet pick up and registration on site at the YMCA pavilion starting at 7AM.
Race is professionally chip-timed with age group awards and photos.
Participants are allowed to change races at any time, as long as there is open availability.
Swag Details
All finishers receive a custom race medal
All participants will receive a custom race shirt
Awards for top male and female in each event along with top 3 in each age group
RACE 3: MILFORD FIRECRACKER RUN
Date: July 4th, 2026
Distances: 1 Mile, 5K, and 10K
Starting Times: 8 AM (5K and 10K) and 9:30 AM (1 Mile)
Starting/Finishing Line Location: Christ Lutheran Church
Happy 250th birthday, America! Kick off your holiday with the annual "Milford Firecracker Run," which includes a full suite of 1 Mile, 5K, and 10K distances to choose from. While the race largely follows the familiar Milford-Kensington Trail from "Run Milford" races past, the Firecracker's route starts at Christ Lutheran Church (north of GM Road) before venturing east towards Kensington Metropark and Camp Dearborn, before turning around to head north towards Hubbell Pond Park - before turning around again to finish at the Church. As is tradition, be sure to head back to Main Street in Milford after the race for the marvelous 4th of July Parade!
Pre-Race Information
Registration available online.
Packet pick up and registration on site at Christ Lutheran Church starting at 7 AM
Race is professionally chip-timed with age group awards and photos.
Swag Details
All finishers receive a custom race medal
All participants will receive a custom race shirt
Awards for top male and female in each event along with top 3 in each age group
RACE 4: GOBBLER GALLOP
Date: November 28, 2026
Distances: 1 Mile, 4 Mile, and Double
Starting Times: 8 AM (1 Mile/Double) and 8:30 AM (4 Mile)
Starting/Finishing Line Location: Downtown Milford (in front of For Feet's Sake)
Last but certainly not least, get ready to burn off that extra helping of turkey at the Run Milford grand finale: the annual "Gobbler Gallop" race! This cherished holiday tradition takes runners on a grand tour of Milford, starting from the northern end of Main Street, into Central Park, before converging onto - you guessed it - the Milford-Kensington Trail. There is a time limit to the Gobbler Gallop, since the race ends just in time for the start of Milford's annual Holiday Parade featuring dozens of floats, bands, and of course, Santa Claus!
Pre-Race Information
Registration available online.
Packet pick up and registration on site at The Warehouse from 8:30-10 AM
Race is professionally chip-timed with age group awards and photos.
Sign up 4 or more people at once and save $5 per person on the registration – applied automatically at checkout.
The race course and park are still open to the public, so please be courteous to other runners/bikers who may be using the path.
Swag Details
All finishers receive a custom race medal
All participants will receive a custom race hoodie
Awards for top male and female in each event along with top 3 in each age group
CONGRATS! With the completion of the Gobbler Gallop, you can now cross off "Finishing the Run Milford series" off of your bucket list. In addition to that great honor, you will also receive a special "Run Milford" finisher award.
Now all that's left to do is rest up your legs for completing the series again in 2027...
Expedition Detroit is proud to partner with RunningVenture on the promotion of its Run Milford racing series, as well as other community-focused races. If you are interested in working with us on promoting your events, organization, products, or other ventures, please contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com.
This sponsored article contains affiliate links that align with Expedition Detroit's Disclosures Policy.