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Into the mystic chill of an autumn morn, runners from all over the Midwest descend on the deserted dunes of Lake Michigan’s southeastern shore. It is a pilgrimage of sorts, a spiritual experience that distance runners refer to as “running the ridge.” The ridge itself is the highlight of a 7-mile trek located amongst hills and wooden canopied paths of Indiana’s National Lakeshore.

The Ridge is but one chapter in a long-storied love affair between region runners and the majestic awe of Dune Country. Indiana has a great legacy of distance running. This is Hal Higdon country, the father of the modern marathon, a legend in the running community who has inspired many region athletes to take to the sand and solitude of the dunes. It’s also home to Al Mussman and Brian Rotz who, in the early ’80s, created the Zoy Run, which grew to such popularity in the mid ’90s that the Indiana Department of Conservation cancelled the event for fear of environmental damage. Although the original Zoy no longer exists, a number of other trail races, such as the Bride of Zoy and Zoy Relapse, have sprung up in its place.

Misty Chandos, running coach, accomplished Ultra marathoner, and manager of Fleet Feet in Schererville, says, “Dune running is essential to anyone training for marathons or Ultra races . . . The combination of versatile terrain, elevation changes, and breathtaking scenery make for the perfect environment to meditate, commune with nature, and transform the average runner into an elite athlete. It’s how I know when I’m really in shape or not—the ridge lets you know.”

Josh Powers, Crown Point native and avid distance runner, adds, “I run the dunes every weekend. It’s a rite of passage for any distance runner in these parts. Although it’s a half-hour drive just to get to the ridge from where I live . . . the hills of sand slipping under foot will shred you unlike anything else.”

With marathon season in full swing, there are sure to be many taking to the dunes for their training. Throughout the year, the XYZ trail series hosts a number of events, including the upcoming Zoy Relapse, a 12K in Warren Dunes on November 22.