The North Country Trail Relay is a six-person team race run on single-track trails through a portion of the Manistee National Forest in the Northern Lower Peninsula. Runners receive a premium shirt, a finisher's gift, and a post race celebration. Proceeds from the race are donated to the Alzheimer’s Association of West Michigan and the North Country Trail Association.
Date: June 14, 2008
Start time: 6:00 a.m.
Distance: 77.8 (+ or -) Miles
Fee: $330.00 per team; must be received by May 1, or until field limit is
reached. No refunds will be given for any reason unless race directors refuse
entry. Teams that participated in the prior year race have until April 1 to
submit their entry and reserve their spot for this year’s race. New teams may
send their entry at any time, open spots for the new teams will be awarded on a
first come basis. Entire roster need
not be completed with initial entry and payment. Team roster accompanied
with a signed waiver must be received by June 1. Last minute
changes/substitutions to the team roster will be accepted up to the start of
the race.
Teams: Teams consist of 6 runners. Each runner must run a minimum of 10 miles.
The race is broken down into 15 legs; the lengths of the legs vary in distance
from 2.3 miles to 9.2 miles. Each team
is limited to two vehicles; due to space restrictions at some of the early
exchange points you may be limited to only one vehicle per team. Minimum age
for participation is 14 years of age.
Awards: The winning team will be the one with the fastest handicapped
time based on age and gender. Teams
will complete in one of two divisions; Open and varied. The varied division
will consist of teams with two or more females. A handicap system for scoring
will be used: Women 13%. Men and women age 14 – 5%, age 15 – 5%, age 16 – 3%,
age 17 – 1%. Men & women 39 – 49 years old 1% for each year over 39. Men & women over 49 years 10% plus 1.5%
for each year over 49 years. Each participant will account for one-sixth the
team handicap.
Accommodations: Motels - Pine Creek Lodge –
231.848.4431, located on M-55 about 15 miles east of Manistee and about 30
minutes from the start. The Mushroom Cap Motel - 231.885.1222, located
in downtown Mesick about 4 miles from the start. The Village Motel -
888.999.2049 or 231.885.1370, located on M-37 one block south of M-115
about 4 miles from the start. Cadillac area - located about 22 miles east of
the start Best Western – 231.775.2458, Day’s Inn - 231.775.4414, Super
8 - 231.775.8561. Camping is available at the finish line at Bowman Bridge
Campground or near the start at Seaton Creek Campground. The Campgrounds are
rustic (pit toilets, water pump).
Course: The race is run on the North Country National Scenic Trail, which is a premier footpath that one day will stretch more than 4,000 miles to link communities and wilderness areas across seven northern states from North Dakota to New York. Already, more than 1,600 miles have been completed. The North Country Trail Association is a nationwide nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the National Park Service to build, maintain and promote the North Country National Scenic Trail.
The race uses a portion of the North Country Trail running through the scenic Manistee National Forest. The race is run on a point-to-point course, which runs through lush meadows, oak and pine forests. The trail varies from steep hillsides and long vistas to slightly rolling; you will run past lakes, along and over several rivers and streams. Most of the course will be dry, however, occasional short sections of the trail can be wet during the event. A small percentage of the trail runs on gravel and paved roads. Come and enjoy the beauty and wildlife that the national forest has to offer.
The relay starts at the Mesick Roadside Park, 4 miles west of the intersection of M-115 and M-37 near Mesick, MI and follows the North Country Trail to the finish at Bowman Bridge Campground which is located just West of Baldwin, MI.
Team members will have contact with their runner only at exchange areas. Runners are encouraged to carry fluids with them. Each team will be responsible for providing their own aid/support to their runners. Biking the course with the runner is prohibited.
For more information: Brian Buchanan, 5075 Coltons Run, West Olive, MI 49460.9345, Phone - 616.786.2945, e-mail - nctrelay@nctrelay.org or check the web site at www.nctrelay.org for the latest information on the race.
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