In 2024, I stepped onto the DTE Energy Foundation Trails for the first time at the Bonfyre Trail Fest. The experience was rewarding. Crisp autumn air, crunchy leaves, and beautiful trails. Who could ask for anything more?
Apparently, I could ask for more.
This year, I returned to Bonfyre Trail Fest to tackle the 18-mile course and to wrap up my season. Same great trails, just more miles to explore.
Here is my breakdown of the “dirt roller coaster” and what you need to know before you sign up for the long haul.
The Bonfyre Trail Fest Course
The DTE Energy Foundation Trail is located in the Waterloo State Recreation Area and is nicknamed “Michigan’s dirt roller coaster.” This is because the trail was built to provide constant ups and downs.
The 3 loops that make up the course are the Green Lake, Big Kame, and Winn Loop. The 5-mile distance follows the Green Lake Loop, the 10-mile follows Big Kame and Green Lake, and the 18-mile traverses all 3 loops.
All three distances have the same cutoff time of 5 hours, making the 5 and 10-mile distances also hiker-friendly.
All three distances started at the same time. They released us in short waves, but with runners of all different paces converging onto a single track a short distance from the start, we almost immediately entered a slow-moving conga line.
Thankfully, the congestion didn’t last long. Before we hit the one-mile mark, the first split occurred. The 5-mile participants split off. With the pressure of the crowds lifted slightly, I was able to fall into a rhythmic pace. We entered the Big Kame Loop.
This loop features the largest climb of the race. I took a moment once I reached the top to enjoy what is perhaps my favorite view of this race. This vantage point allowed me to see how far I had climbed but also offered a truly beautiful view of the surrounding forest.
The scenic course continued to wind through classic DTE terrain, rolling hills, and dense forest. We ran through rows of pines and along steep embankments.
Around mile 5 or 6 (GPS isn’t reliable on this course), the split for the 10 and 18-mile participants arrived. We entered the Winn Loop.
This is where the race experience shifted. Our group went from 10 or 15 runners down to 2. It felt like I had left the race behind and was alone on the trails.
The Winn Loop delivered the same flowing, runnable trail (with plenty of roots and rocks) that was found on Big Kame. The hills were easily manageable, the course was smooth, and there was plenty of interesting scenery. My favorite view along this section was the view of Winnewanna Impoundment. This lake is about 500 acres in size, and the course took us right along the edge for a short period of time.
We completed the 8 mile loop and arrived back at the Big Kame loop intersection where we continued onward to complete that loop as well.
All that was left was the Green Lake Loop – 5.2 miles. This loop was the easiest of the three. There was less climbing but still a few small hills here and there. The far side of the loop, closest to the finish, also took us along side Green Lake. During this final stretch, I could hear the noise coming across the lake from the finish line.
Along the 18-mile course, there were 5 aid stations. Aid station A and B we passed twice. The aid stations offered water, gateraide, and GU gels. I carried all of my fuel and stopped once for water.
There wasn’t any part of this course that I didn’t like. It was beautiful, runnable, and exactly the type of trail run I enjoy.
Tips for Participating
Train for Hills. It is a trail run on a mountain bike course. There are hills. The hills aren’t monsterous and are entirely managable. But they are consistant.
Your Watch Lies. Your GPS will be wrong. That’s the nature of trail running in general. Switchbacks, tree cover, an elevation changes notoriously confuse GPS watches. Focus on effort, not split paces. My watch read around 16.6 miles. The course is manually measured to ensure the distance is correct.
Open for Biking. While the organization does a great job of informing bikers that there will be a race taking place, the trail isn’t closed. I encountered a few. Most were nice, one was not. None of them announced that they were approaching us from behind, and they all expected us to yield. Just be prepared to encounter them and keep your ears and eyes peeled.
Arrive Early for Parking. Parking is limited. Carpool if you can. Arrive early or you might have to walk a ways.
Arrive Early for Bathrooms. Despite having multiple port-a-johns, this race has a lot of runners who are all leaving at the same time and all want to use the bathroom at the same time. If you’re planning on using it, arrive early so you have time to do so.
Enjoy the Trail. Take time to enjoy the views. It is a race but it is also beautiful out there.
Manage the Conga Line. Expect the Conga Line at the start and come up with a game plan for how you want to deal with it. Do you want to start off harder and get ahead of it? Or do you plan on running conservative and working your way through it?
The Goodies
All participants receive a beanie that is different from year to year. This year was a blue and orange one that I can’t stop wearing. Finishers receive a neat campfire mug.
All participants received a beanie. All finishers received a neat campfire mug.
Additional awards are given to age group winners.
In RFEvents fashion, post-race treats, foods, and entertainment are available. Food trucks, a small fire at a s’mores station, a live band, and a beer garden are waiting at the finish line. Unfortunately, when I had finished my race, the s’more station had already closed up. I was really looking forward to that.
Overall
The 18-mile distance at Bonfyre Trail Fest didn’t disappoint. The trails are very beautiful and peaceful. The course offers a little bit of a challenge but nothing a new trail runner couldn’t tackle – just remember to watch your feet.
For more information, visit Run Bonfyre.
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