Chicago Mackinac Race 2025 Location. Started in 1898, the race annually hosts more than 3,000 sailors and covers 333 statute miles, starting from chicago’s navy pier on lake michigan and finishing at mackinac. Sailors from around the world gather in chicago to compete in this challenging race, navigating the waters of lake michigan to reach the picturesque mackinac island, located in lake huron.
At 333 miles (289.4 nautical miles), the race to mackinac is the oldest annual freshwater distance race in the world. The 115th annual chicago to mackinac race is taking place today, and among the competitors are several iceboaters trading the hard water for soft water.