The vote is in. The public has spoken.
After a full month of nominating in November, then voting through December, the results are locked. 1,032 unique voters. 24 unique categories.
And now, we can reveal the Top THREE finalists in every category.
As we reflect on the past season and look ahead to what’s next, one thing remains clear: Michigan’s endurance community continues to show up, push forward, and support one another in meaningful ways. The FLY Awards were created to capture that spirit and to serve as a shared snapshot of the races, athletes, and moments that defined the year.
Now in its eighth year, the FLY Awards have grown from a simple end-of-season poll into a statewide reflection of Michigan racing. In 2025, participation reached new levels, with more voices, more categories, and more engagement than ever before. From road and trail to gravel, triathlon, and multisport, the results reflect a community that is both deeply rooted and constantly evolving
This past year highlighted a strong return to consistency: established events continued to thrive, grassroots races held their ground, and new experiences found their footing. We saw packed starting lines, creative formats, and a renewed emphasis on community, volunteerism, and local impact. Cycling and gravel events continued their momentum, youth participation remained strong, and legacy races proved once again why they matter.
As we share the results of the 2025 FLY Awards, we celebrate not only those who rose to the top, but the broader ecosystem that makes Michigan racing what it is. The organizers who take risks, the volunteers who give their time, the athletes who line up year after year, and the communities that welcome us all.
This is what makes the FLY Awards different. It’s not a panel. It’s not a committee. It’s the Michigan endurance community showing up and weighing in on the races, athletes, shops, volunteers, and moments that made 2025 memorable!
Thank you for being part of it. Here’s to another year of showing up, building something meaningful, and moving Michigan racing forward together.
The 2025 FLY AWARD TOP THREE FINALISTS
FAVORITE 5K
1ST – GRAND RAPIDS TURKEY TROT
2ND – DIRTY DUEL 5K
3RD – BRIAN DEIMER FESTIVAL OF RACES
FAVORITE 10K
1ST – AMWAY RIVER BANK RUN 10K
2ND – REEDS LAKE RUN 10K
3RD – SHE RUNS 10K
FAVORITE HALF MARATHON
1ST – TCTC BAYSHORE HALF MARATHON
2ND – DETROIT FREE PRESS HALF MARATHON
3RD – GRAND RAPIDS HALF MARATHON
FAVORITE MARATHON
1ST – GRAND RAPIDS MARATHON
2ND – TCTC BAYSHORE MARATHON
3RD – DETROIT FREE PRESS MARATHON
FAVORITE WEIRD DISTANCE
1ST – AMWAY RIVER BANK RUN 25K
2ND – LCMU BRIDGE RUN 10 MILE
3RD – REEDS LAKE RESOLUTION RUN 4 MILE
FAVORITE TRIATHLON
1ST – TRI DEL SOL
2ND – GRAND RAPIDS TRIATHLON
3RD – MICHIGAN TITANIUM
FAVORITE BIKE RACE
1ST – BARRY ROUBAIX
2ND – DIRTY DONUT
3RD – ICEMAN COMETH
FAVORITE TRAIL RUN
1ST – DIRTY DUEL
2ND – WTF WINTER TRAIL FEST
3RD – MARJI GESICK TRAIL RUN and NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL RUN
FAVORITE KIDS RACE
1ST – I LOVE GRAVEL RACE’S UNCLE JOHN’S GRAVEL RACE
2ND – RUN GR’S MAGIC OF THE MILE
3RD – AMWAY RIVERBANK RUN JUNIOR RACE
TOUGHEST RACE
1ST – MARJI GESICK MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE
2ND – AMWAY RIVERBANK 25K
3RD – MICHIGAN TITANIUM ULTRA TRIATHLON
MOST SCENIC RACE
1ST – TCTC BAYSHORE MARATHON/HALF MARATHON/10K
2ND – COAST TO COAST GRAVEL RACE
3RD – MELTING MANN GRAVEL RACE
FAVORITE OVERALL MEDALS
1ST – DIRTY DONUT GRAVEL RACE
2ND – AMWAY RIVER BANK RUN 25K/10K/5K
3RD – BARRY ROUBAIX GRAVEL RACE
FAVORITE FINISHER MEDALS
1ST – DIRTY DONUT GRAVEL RACE
2ND – AMWAY RIVER BANK RUN 25K/10K/5K
3RD – UNCLE JOHN’S GRAVEL RACE
FAVORITE COACH
1ST – MIKE WOJCIAKOWSKI
2ND – KARI STUART
3RD – TODD BUCKINGHAM
FAVORITE AFTER PARTY
1ST – ICEMAN COMETH
2ND – AMWAY RIVER BANK RUN 25K/10K/5K
3RD – BARRY ROUBAIX GRAVEL RACE
FAVORITE RACE DIRECTOR
1ST – DONUT DAN FRAZIER
2ND – MATT ACKER
3RD – ROB HYDE
FAVORITE ANNOUNCER
1ST – LARRY CRABBE
2ND – ERIC ZANE
3RD – JEFF JACOBI
FAVORITE VOLUNTEER
1ST – JAKOB THE SPEEDY SLOTH
2ND – JILL BECKWITH
3RD – BILL NORMAN
FAVORITE RUN CLUB
1ST – RUN GR
2ND – STELLAFLY
3RD – PERRIN RUN CLUB
FAVORITE CYCLING TEAM
1ST – I LOVE GRAVEL RACING
2ND – CHILI CATS
3RD – TURBO
FAVORITE LOCAL ATHLETE
1ST – PETER HATHAWAY
2ND – ALYSSA MCELHENY
3RD – DONNIE HARPER
FAVORITE NOT-FOR-PROFIT
1ST – MYTEAM TRIUMPH WEST MICHIGAN CHAPTER
2ND – MAKE A WISH MICHIGAN CHAPTER
3RD – WEST MICHIGAN MOUNTAIN BIKE ALLIANCE
FAVORITE LOCAL BIKE SHOP
1ST – BIKED GRAND RAPIDS
2ND – PEDAL KALAMAZOO
3RD – FREEWHEELER GRAND RAPIDS
FAVORITE LOCAL RUNNING STORE
1ST – GAZELLE STORES – GRAND RAPIDS/HOLLAND
2ND – STRIDERS – GRANDVILLE
3RD – THE RUNNERY – COMSTOCK PARK