On the morning of May 24, 2024, Nick Gapp and I, Keith McCaffery, embarked on a run across Michigan using the Michigan Shore-to-Shore Trail. This trail spans from Empire on Lake Michigan to Oscoda on Lake Huron. We began by dipping our feet in Lake Michigan at Empire Beach and aimed to finish at the mouth of the Au Sable River in Oscoda, with a target of completing the run in 3 ½ days (84 hours). Our crew consisted of Carly Kish, Marie Clos, Laura Gapp, and Nancy Gapp, who provided support along the way with aid stations, food, fluids, clothing changes, and shoe replacements. We were also joined by several supporters who ran with us for portions of the journey.
Day 1 went smoothly overall, despite some navigation challenges getting from the beach to the trailhead in Empire. Jay VanDerhovel started with us and ran approximately 27 miles to Garey Lake Trail Camp, where we met our crew for the first time. From there, we continued to Lake Dubonnet, 26 miles away. This stretch was exposed to the increasingly hot sun and included deep, sandy ORV trails, which slowed us down significantly and exhausted our legs. Upon reaching Lake Dubonnet, I had been without water for two miles, leading to dehydration and hunger. After a much-needed break to replenish, we adjusted our strategy to meet our crew every 10-15 miles to avoid running out of essentials again, which proved effective for the rest of the day.
By the end of Day 1, we left the touristy towns near Lake Michigan and Traverse City behind, entering more scenic areas with better tree cover and numerous streams and rivers where we could cool off. However, ticks became a major issue towards the day's end; Nick had encountered at least a dozen, and I had one or two. We finished Day 1 at Scheck’s Trail Camp, covering just over 73 miles from our starting point. Given the longer-than-planned duration, we decided to push our start time for Day 2 from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and rested at a motel in Kalkaska for the night.
Day 2 began at Scheck’s Trail Camp a little after 8 a.m. With adjustments in our mileage expectations, we planned for 58 miles instead of the original 72. The terrain varied from deep sand and roads to wooded trails, including sections reclaimed by beavers where we had to navigate carefully. Ticks continued to be a nuisance, interrupting our progress frequently. We were joined by Dan Hughes at Goose Creek Trail Camp, and together, we navigated through challenging terrain to 4 Mile Trail Camp. Despite warnings of a sandy section ahead, we managed to run most of it, adding an extra four miles to our Day 2 total of just over 55 miles. We stayed at a family member’s house in Mio that night, adjusting plans again due to the longer trail time.
Day 3 brought cooler weather and mostly wooded single-track trails, offering scenic views of the Au Sable River Valley. Despite the pleasant surroundings, tick checks became even more frequent. By evening, I developed sharp ankle pain that extended into my shin, making walking painful and slowing our pace. Nick maintained our momentum, urging us forward as we encountered wildlife like badgers, possums, and a porcupine but thankfully no bears. We stopped a few miles past McKinley Trail Camp around 11 p.m., concerned about my leg's condition. Despite reluctance to halt our progress, we slept briefly at my dad's house, having covered an additional 52.3 miles.
Day 4 brought continuous rain, soaking us throughout the day. Surprisingly, we made excellent time over the first 15 miles, arriving earlier than expected at South Branch Trail Camp to a welcoming surprise of pancakes and bacon from our crew. The trail offered stunning views of the Au Sable River, but as the rain intensified, our determination to continue grew challenging. By the time we reached River Road Trail Camp, our crew provided much-needed hot soup as my dad and stepmom arrived to support us. Despite feeling chilled and tired, we pressed on with Jen Crutchfield joining us to finish the final 14.5 miles, equivalent to a half-marathon. Despite lingering discomfort in my shin, we kept a steady pace, eventually leaving the trail behind and entering Oscoda. With just 2 miles to go, we saw our crew and families waiting, forming a makeshift finish line where Nick and I splashed into Lake Huron simultaneously. Exhausted but elated, we celebrated with hugs, tears, and immense gratitude for everyone who supported us. Our final time was 83 hours and 55 minutes, just under our goal of 84 hours.