North Country Trail Relay Flyer

The North Country Trail Relay is a team race run on single-track trails through a portion of the Manistee National Forest in the Northern Lower Peninsula. It is organized by the North Country Trail Relay, LLC.  Runners receive a premium shirt, a finisher's gift, and a post race celebration.

 

Date: Saturday, June 9, 2012

Start time:  6:30 a.m.

Distance: 62 (+ or -) Miles

 

Fee: $275 per team with 5 participants ($330 for returning teams from last year with six participants); must be received by April 15, 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. Open spots for new teams will be awarded by drawing from all new team entries received by April 1st until the field limit has been reached. Entries can be submitted at any time.  Entire roster need not be completed with initial entry and payment but shirt sizes are required with your entry. Team roster accompanied with a signed waiver must be received by June 1. Last minute roster changes/substitutions will be accepted up to the start of the race.

 

Teams: Teams consist of 5 runners (6 runners if everyone from your team from last year returns for this year). Each runner must run a minimum of 7 miles to have their handicap included in the scoring. The race is broken down into 11 legs; the lengths of the legs vary in distance from 3.3 miles to 7.7 miles. Each team is limited to one vehicle. Minimum age for participation is 14 years of age.

 

Awards: The winning team will be the one with the fastest adjusted time based on age and gender. Teams will complete in one of three divisions; female, mixed and open. The female division will include teams made entirely of females. The mixed division will consist of teams with two or more females. The open division will include teams with one or fewer females. A 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 fifth (one sixth for a six person team) of the team handicap. You must pick up your award we are not able to mail them.

 

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 30 minutes north from the start. Cadillac area - located about 31 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.

 

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 Manistee River Trail trailhead 7.5 miles east of Brethren, MI, on Upper River Road just north of Coats Highway 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 aid/support to their own runners. Biking the course with the runner is prohibited.

 

For more information: Brian Buchanan, North Country Trail Relay, LLC, 5075 Coltons Run, West Olive, MI 49460.9345, 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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