Alpena, Michigan - May 2023
The Sunset Project is excited to announce a new partnership with the Huron Endurance and Resources Project (HERP) to jointly promote this year’s Bay to Beacon Half Marathon. This exciting collaboration brings together two area organizations who both share a dedication to improving the Northeast Michigan community.
The Bay to Beacon Half Marathon, an annual event organized by HERP, is focused on offering a unique opportunity for community members to come together, enjoy the beautiful scenery of Northeast Michigan, and help build both physical and mental well-being through endurance sports.
The Sunset Project and HERP have been working together to find ways in which both organizations can help contribute to this awesome opportunity. The Sunset Project will be helping to spread awareness for the cause through their social media platforms, as well as being one of the beneficiaries from this year’s proceeds.
Together, The Sunset Project and HERP are aiming to make a lasting impact on the Northeast Michigan community by encouraging individuals to engage with their environment and prioritize their mental and physical well-being.
This year’s Bay to Beacon Half Marathon will be held August 18-19, 2023, and will feature a variety of race types including: The Bay to Beacon Half Marathon
Registration Cost (through June 30th): $65
The Bay to Beacon 10K Run
Registration Cost (through June 30th): $45
The Bay to Beacon 5K Run
Registration Cost (through June 30th): $35
The Bay to Beacon Kids 1 Miler
Registration Cost (through June 30th): $15
To learn more about the Bay to Beacon Half Marathon, registration information and to sign up, please visit baytobeaconhalfmarathon.wordpress.com today!
About the Huron Endurance and Resources Project
The Huron Endurance and Resources Project (HERP) has a strong history of promoting physical and mental well-being in the Northeast Michigan community. The organization's journey began in 2020 when Joe LaVigne initiated discussions with local community members and leaders about hosting a race that would celebrate the region's natural resources and offer an alternative to traditional "outdoorsman" activities.
Realizing the connection between the environment, mental health, and physical activity, Joe teamed up with Sue Keller, the president of the Friends of Negwegon State Park, to promote and protect the park and its rare swales along the Lake Huron coast.
In 2021, the inaugural Bay to Beacon race series was held, featuring a point-to-point half marathon, 10K, and 5K, running from Negwegon State Park to Sturgeon Point Lighthouse. The event attracted 136 participants across the three distances, and local residents provided support by hosting water stations along the half marathon route. The evening before the race, a pancake dinner was held at a local you-pick blueberry farm, raising $1,000 which was donated to the Friends of Negwegon State Park and The Alcona Historical Society.
The following year, the Bay to Beacon race series became a zero-waste initiative to further align with HERP's environmental mission. The 2022 race series saw 137 participants, and The Sunset Project was added as a third beneficiary, emphasizing the importance of mental health and suicide awareness in the NEMI region. HERP was officially incorporated in August 2022, and the pre-race pancake dinner continued to support the local you-pick farm, with local musicians providing entertainment during packet pickup.
In 2023, HERP was granted nonprofit 501(c)(3) status, and the organization now oversees the Bay to Beacon race series through a dedicated board of volunteers. To further promote its mission and establish NEMI as a prime location for endurance athletes, HERP plans to launch additional races in the area. The Bay to Beacon race series now includes a kids' 1-mile event to encourage whole-family participation and aims to host 300 participants in the upcoming edition.
This partnership with The Sunset Project for the Bay to Beacon Half Marathon marks another significant milestone in HERP's ongoing journey to promote physical, mental well-being, and sustainable engagement with the environment in Northeast Michigan.
For additional information on HERP and their mission, please contact:
Joe LaVigne
Email: nemihalfmarathon@gmail.com