Aravaipa Running to Continue the Legacy of Great Lakes Endurance

September 5, 2025

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Sept. 5, 2025 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Aravaipa Running is honored to continue the legacy of Great Lakes Endurance, ensuring that its beloved Midwest trail races carry forward for years to come. Aravaipa will take stewardship of five hallmark events: Rock River Canyon, Two Hearted Trail Run, Waugoshance, Grand Island, and Tahqua Trail Run.

Great Lakes Endurance has been a cornerstone of ecologically mindful trail running in Michigan and Wisconsin. For 26 years, founders Jeff Crumbaugh and Lois Bressette poured their energy into creating events that fused endurance with environmental stewardship, giving runners a way to experience the Midwest’s most wild and beautiful places with care.

“After 26 years of work dedicated to building Great Lakes Endurance, Lois and I are pleased to hand off the reins to Aravaipa Running,” said Crumbaugh. “We are confident that Aravaipa has the experience, skills and passion to take Great Lakes Endurance to the next level. They have also shown a deep respect for the historical traditions of our events and for the Great Lakes Endurance community of runners and volunteers. Great Lakes Endurance will be entering an exciting new chapter under the guidance of Aravaipa Running.”

To honor this legacy, Aravaipa is debuting a short film, The Race Director, releasing today. The film tells the story of Jeff and Lois’s remarkable journey of building Great Lakes Endurance—highlighting the community, the landscapes, and the values that defined their work.

This tribute not only celebrates what Jeff and Lois created, but also marks the beginning of a new chapter as Aravaipa carries their vision forward. The Great Lakes Endurance name will remain, serving as Aravaipa’s Midwest hub for trail running and community connection.

As part of this commitment to the region, Aravaipa will also open applications for its Racing Team across Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Ontario. This expansion is designed to support and grow the local trail running community by welcoming athletes, volunteers, and storytellers who embody the values of Great Lakes Endurance.

“We are deeply grateful to Jeff and Lois for the trust they’ve placed in us,” said Jamil Coury, founder of Aravaipa Running. “Great Lakes Endurance is more than a race company – it’s a community, a set of traditions, and a living example of how trail running can connect people to the environment. Our promise is to honor what Jeff and Lois have built while continuing to serve this community of runners and volunteers with care.”

For the Great Lakes Endurance community, this is not the end – it’s the beginning of a new chapter. The races, friendships, and spirit that Jeff and Lois cultivated over the past 26 years will carry forward, guided by Aravaipa’s promise to remain authentic, inclusive, and deeply connected to the land.

About Great Lakes Endurance
Great Lakes Endurance has been a cornerstone of trail running in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, weaving environmental stewardship and community values into every mile. Its hallmark events—Rock River Canyon, Two Hearted Trail Run, Waugoshance, Grand Island, and Tahqua Trail Run—are celebrated for their rugged courses, ecological mindfulness, and deep connection to the region’s wild landscapes.

Learn more at www.greatlakesendurance.com and connect with the community on Instagram (@greatlakesendurance), Facebook (@greatlakesendurance), and the new Great Lakes Endurance Strava Club.

About Aravaipa Running
Aravaipa Running is an endurance event company based in Phoenix, Arizona, dedicated to creating outdoor experiences that connect people – to themselves, to each other, and to the land. With races across the U.S., Aravaipa is committed to redefining what’s possible in trail and ultra running while honoring the communities and landscapes that make each event unique.

Media Contact:
Matt Feldhake
Director of Marketing
Matt@aravaiparunning.com