2016 North Country Trail Relay Updated Event Instructions Jan 2016

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1 Welcome to the 2016 North Country Trail Relay (NCTR). organized by Bev Chesebro and Doug Bostian The race is run on the North Country National Scenic Trail, which is a 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. The section of the trail we will be using for the race runs through the Huron-Manistee National Forest. Registration: In the first part of June we will a copy of the final directions and a set of maps to the team captains. We will not have any extra copies of the maps or directions at packet pickup. Team captains will pick up packets at the start on race morning from 5:35 a.m. - 6:30 a.m. (We might possibly have packet pick before race day in Grand Rapids but the is yet to be determined). Shirts and numbers for the entire team will be in one packet. At 6:15 a.m. we will have announcements on any last minute updates. The race will start at 6:30 a.m. Each team will be given a set of the same numbers; runners are required to wear their team number while running. Trail - Runners must yield the trail to hikers; if you come up on a hiker from behind let them know you are approaching. Bikers are required to yield the trail to foot travel; some bikers follow this better than others. Follow the trail markings; it is marked with blue rectangular paint blazes. In some sections of the trail you will still encounter the gray or blue nailed-on diamonds (the previous markings in the Manistee National Forest). The beginning and ending of leg 1, the beginning of leg 2 and the last 0.4 miles of the race run on a spur trail; these sections are marked in white paint. A turn is indicated through the use of two blazes -- one placed 2 inches above the other and offset in the direction of the turn. The sections of the trail that run on roads are marked in the same manner as the trail. However, since the correct direction for these road sections is less obvious than when running on the trail additional information is included for those sections. We are guests of the Huron- Manistee National Forest and want to return so please help us leave a good impression. Do not litter. You must carry any trash such as gel wrappers to the end of the leg with you. Some of the exchange locations have restroom facilities; make use of them as you encounter them. Boardwalks can be very slippery; use caution when crossing. Runners will cross a number of busy roads. RUNNERS MUST YIELD TO TRAFFIC AT ALL TIMES. We will be monitoring some of the busy road crossings; individuals that fail to wait for traffic will have their entire team disqualified. Road - Park only on the right side of the road past the exchange point in the direction of the race flow unless directed otherwise. Remember to reset your vehicle odometer at the various corners in the instructions. If you don t it can be easy to drive right past the trailhead. We will have links to MapMyRun driving instructions on the website. Roster Changes: Team rosters should be complete by June 1st. But at the discretion of the race committee, we will make roster changes on race morning. At this point shirt sizes will not be guaranteed. Roster changes can be made by the team captains on the online registration site, We are also working a plan to migrate the teams that registered using the paper application to the online team management option without additional cost. Exchange Points: You may only exchange at the designated exchange points. Some of the exchanges are located by private property, please stay off their land. If an incoming runner reaches an exchange point and the next runner is not present, the incoming runner may wait until the next runner appears or they may continue on for the entire next leg. Once a runner starts a leg they must finish the leg. While waiting for your runner at exchange points refrain from straying into the middle of the road. Awards: Each runner must run a minimum of 7 miles. We have two divisions, mixed and open, with awards to the fastest teams in each division based on a handicap scoring method. The mixed division will include teams with two or more females. The winning teams will be the ones with the fastest handicapped time based on: women 13%, men and women age 14 5%, age 15 5%, age 16 3%, age 17 1%; men and women years old 1% for each year over 39, and men and women over 49 years, 10% plus 1.5% for each year over 49 years. Results will be ed to team captains and available on the web at nortcountrytrailrelay.com the week following the race. Automobiles: You must display the NCTR vehicle permit on the dashboard of your vehicle. You are limited to one vehicle per team. The safety of runners is of the utmost concern. In some sections runners and vehicles will be sharing the road. Please use caution and reduce speed at exchange points, areas where the trail crosses the road, or sections where runners and vehicles will be sharing the road. You have plenty of time to get to each of 2016 NCTR Event Details 2/3/2016 8:24 PM Page 1 of 6

2 the exchange points while driving at the posted speed limits. Runners have the right of way at all times when relay automobiles and runners are in the same area. Injured/Lost/Aid to Runner: An injured runner may be replaced, however, the injured runner is done for the race. If the injured runner has not completed the minimum distance their entire handicap will be lost. The trail is very well marked. If a runner goes off course, you may take them back to the point where they went off course. The trail often times merges onto and off of an occasional two-track road, pay attention - it can be very easy to run past the trail where it leaves the two-track. Starting with leg 4 you may have a teammate run with the official runner if you so choose. Biking the course with the runner is prohibited. Make sure to have plenty of fluids in your vehicle and maintain proper nutrition and hydration levels; it can be a long hot day. Severe Weather: In the event of severe weather have your runner wait before starting the leg. You must sit the runner out in increments of 15 minutes. Report the lost time at the finish so the results can be adjusted accordingly. If the race committee feels that the weather poses too much risk to runner safety, the event will be canceled. Gasoline/Food/Beverage Stops: Marathon gas/convenience store located at the corner of M37 and M55, it opens at 5:00 a.m. Gas/convenience store in Wellston on M55 a few miles before your turn to the start, it opens at 5:00 a.m. On the way to Chicago Avenue (leg 3). The store is located in Brethren on High Bridge Road just north of Coates On the way to 3 Mile Road (leg 9) go left on Bass Lake road for about 1 mile to the Na-Tah-Ka party store On the way to the Wingleton Road (leg 11) just west of the corner of US-10 and Tyndall Road, food only no gas Penalties: We will impose penalties in the form of minutes added to your time up to team disqualification for infractions of the rules including, but not limited to: reckless driving, more than 1 vehicle at an exchange, excessive speed, no number, failure to follow the instructions of a race official or course marshal, or littering. The race committee reserves the right to adjust penalties as necessary. Concurrent Running: Teams unable to complete the relay in under 11 hours will need to run currently to get them to the finish by 5:30 p.m. Teams running concurrently will not be eligible for awards. Concurrent running involves sending your outgoing runner off before your incoming runner arrives. You will need to keep track of your time for each leg and turn it in at the finish so we can correctly post the time for your entire team. Thanks: This event would not be possible without the help of the many individuals who have worked to make it successful: Kathy Bietau, Huron-Manistee National Forest, Baldwin Ranger District; American Land & Leisure who maintains the campground at the finish; the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians for allowing the event on sections of the trail that cross tribal land, and the Spirit of the Woods Chapter of the North Country Trail Association that is responsible for the section of the trail we are running on. Special thanks to the volunteers who make the event a success. Emergency Contacts: Police: Emergency Dispatch 911 Legs 1-6 run through Manistee County: Sheriff s office Legs 7 12 run through Lake County: Sheriff s office Hospitals: Manistee West Shore Medical Center Ludington Memorial Medical Hospital: Cadillac - Mercy Hospital: Reed City - Spectrum Health-Reed City: TO GET TO THE START: FROM CADILLAC: Follow M-55 west from US131 for 20.9 miles to the corner of M-37 and M-55 FROM THE INTERSECTION OF M-55 AND M-37: Head west on M miles to N Warfield Rd. Turn right on N Warfield Rd for 5.0 miles to Coats Hwy. Turn left on Coats Hwy for 2.1 miles to Upper River Road. Turn right on Upper River Road. We will have parking attendants to direct you to parking; you may not park in the road NCTR Event Details 2/3/2016 8:24 PM Page 2 of 6

3 FROM MANISTEE: Follow M-55 east from US31 for 23.0 miles to N Warfield Rd. Turn left on N Warfield Rd for 5.0 miles to Coats Hwy. Turn left on Coats Hwy for 2.1 miles to Upper River Road. Turn right on Upper River Road. We will have parking attendants to direct you to parking; you may not park in the road. ********************************************************************************************************************************** * Leg 1 Manistee River Trail Leg: 8.00 miles Total 8.00 Scenery: Visually Orgasmic Difficulty: Gut Buster + Elevation Change Gain 1741 Loss 1856 Trail: Run north on Upper River Road about 0.5 miles, loop around an island of trees then follow the power lines back to Upper River Road. Continue south on Upper River Rd. to the Manistee River Trail (MRT). Turn Right and follow the MRT for 0.2 miles to the top of the hill where the MRT meets the North Country Trail. Turn left and follow the NCT for 6.7 miles to the edge of the bluff overlooking the Manistee River. Turn left following the spur trail for 0.2 miles to the exchange at the road. (At 1.7 miles you will cross Coats Hwy., which is a busy paved road, watch for traffic. At 7.4 miles you will cross Dilling Road, another busy paved road. Continue diagonally across Dilling Road for another 0.6 miles to the exchange. We are using the beginning section on Upper River Rd to spread the runners out before entering the trail, we will have volunteers directing you where to turn. As an added benefit the road section will add a couple of nice down hill sections to get your legs turning over. The first half of this leg will get your heart rate up; enjoy the gorgeous views of Tippy Dam Pond. Road: Head south on Upper River Road 0.1 miles to Coats Hwy. Continue South on Upper River Road from Coats Hwy for 4.2 miles to a stop sign, turn right for 0.1 miles to a second stop sign. Turn right on Dilling Road for 0.6 miles to the Sawdust Hole Recreation Area. You will find a 2-track on the right with plenty of area where you can pull off the road to park. This is a popular area for fisher persons often traveling at a high rate of speed, stay off the road and watch for traffic. To get to the exchange you will need to walk from the parking area. Turn left on FS8799 for 0.3 miles to the edge of the bluff the, runners will come down the trail from the right to the exchange on the road. Do not drive into the Sawdust Hole Recreation Area. Leg 2 Sawdust Hole Leg: 7.71 miles Total Scenery: Visually Orgasmic Difficulty: Gut Buster Elevation Change Gain 916 Loss 982 Trail: Head back out the trail retracing the direction of the incoming runner, follow the trail along the bluff 0.2 miles until you reach the North Country Trail marker. Turn left, really going straight. Follow the trail, at 2.8 miles you will make a sharp left turn after running up a hill on a short section of an old two track road. At 4.4 miles you will come to a 2-track road with signage indicating the trail has been re-routed. Turn right and follow the 2-track, at 5.1 miles you will come out to High Bridge Road (a paved road). Turn left, really going straight, run down the hill along the left side of High Bridge, at 5.8 miles the trail crosses the Manistee River stay on the walkway on the left side of the road bridge, do not run down the road, after you cross the river you will then cross High Bridge Road, run through the parking area on the other side of the road. Exit the far corner of the parking area and follow the trail to the exchange where the trail will merge onto a gravel road, this is Chicago Avenue. A collection of flats and climbs, the views on the ridge along the Manistee River will help you to forget the switch-backs. Yield to traffic when crossing High Bridge Road. Use care on the boardwalks, they are slippery. The re-routed section of the trail leading to High Bridge is marked with blue diamonds attached to trees. You may notice some pink flagging along the two-track, ignore them, they are for some future trail improvements. Road: Continue down Dilling Road 2.1 miles to Coates Hwy. Turn left on Coates Hwy for 3.4 miles to High Bridge Road. Turn left on High Bridge Road for 3.7 miles to Chicago Avenue (at 2.8 miles you will cross the Manistee River, on the far side of the bridge runners will be crossing High Bridge Road please be careful. YOU MAY NOT STOP AT THE RIVER, continue on to the exchange). Turn right on Chicago Avenue for 1.3 miles to the exchange where the trail merges with Chicago Avenue on the right hand side of the road. Park before the exchange. Both sides of the road in this area are private property you may not trespass or use the woods as a rest stop NCTR Event Details 2/3/2016 8:24 PM Page 3 of 6

4 Leg 3 Chicago Avenue Leg: 4.54 miles Total Scenery: Scenic Difficulty: Easy Elevation Change Gain 508 Loss 536 Trail: Continue on Chicago Avenue 0.2 miles to Michigan Avenue. Turn left on Michigan Avenue for 1.1 miles to Cedar Creek Rd. Turn right on Cedar Creek Rd. for 1.0 miles to Huff Road (no sign). Turn left on Huff Road (do not run across Huff Road into the power lines) for 0.3 miles to where the trail re-enters the woods on the right hand side (at 0.1 miles Huff Road crosses Pine Creek, continue up the road for another 0.2 miles and look on the right hand side for the point where the trail re-enters the woods). Follow the trail for 1.2 miles to M-55. Cross M-55 and continue straight down Firetower Road for 30 yards to where the trail re-enters the woods on the right hand side of the road. Follow the trail for 0.7 miles to the exchange at FS5502. Use caution crossing M-55, this is a busy road - you must yield to traffic. Road: Continue straight on Chicago Avenue for 0.8 miles to Huff Road. Turn left on Huff Road for 1.2 miles to Pine Creek. Turn right on Pine Creek for 1.2 miles to Horseshoe Bend. Turn left on Horseshoe Bend for 0.5 miles to M-55. Turn left on M-55 for 0.3 miles to Firetower Road. Turn right on Firetower road for 0.7 miles to FS5502. Park on Firetower Road before or after FS5502, walk 0.1 miles (to the right) down FS5502 to the trail. You may not wait for your runner at M-55 and Firetower Road, watch out for runners crossing M-55 at this intersection from left to right. The trailhead at M55 has a bathroom for those that wish to use it. Leg 4 FS5502 Leg: 6.14 miles Total Scenery: Visually Orgasmic Difficulty: Gut Buster Elevation Change Gain 754 Loss 705 Trail: Follow the trail, at 5.0 miles you will come out to a gravel road, follow the trail across the gravel road and back into the woods. At 5.4 miles the trail will come out to a paved road, Udell Hills Road. Turn right on Udell Hills Rd for 30 yards to the intersection of S. Skolcelas and Udell Hills Rd. Turn left on S. Skocelas Road for 0.5 miles to Riverside Drive. Turn left on Riverside Drive for 0.2 miles to the exchange where the trail re-enters the woods on the right hand side of the road. You will negotiate some major ups and downs on this leg. Road: Continue down Firetower Road for 5.0 miles to Riverside Drive. Turn left on Riverside Drive for 0.2 miles to the exchange where the trail re-enters the woods on the right hand side. At 0.7 miles stay right, at 1.0 miles stay right, at 1.6 miles go left on FS8190, at 2.2 miles stay left, at 2.4 miles go straight, at 2.9 miles go right, at 4.1 miles continue straight on the paved road (this is S. Skocelas Road) for another 0.9 miles to Riverside Drive. Turn left on Riverside 0.2 miles to the exchange where the trail re-enters the woods on the right had side of the road. At 4.1 miles the trail crosses the road from right to left, watch out for runners. Leg 5 Riverside Drive Leg: 5.12 miles Total Scenery: Gorgeous Difficulty: Challenging Elevation Change Gain 431 Loss 402 Trail: Follow the trail for 5.1 miles to the exchange at FS5203. Just enough variation to make this a fast leg, careful on the boardwalk it will be slippery. Road: Continue on Riverside Drive for 4.1 miles to FS5331, (sign says 10 1/2 Mile Road). Turn right on FS5331 for 0.8 miles to FS5203. Turn left on FS5203/Tyndall Road for 0.3 miles to the exchange where the trail crosses the road. Leg 6 FS5203 Leg: 2.53 miles Total Scenery: Scenic Difficulty: Easy Elevation Change Gain 192 Loss 320 Trail: Follow the trail to Freesoil Road, cross the road to the exchange at the sign in the trailhead parking area. Just enough elevation change to be interesting but no major climbs. Road: Continue straight on FS5203 for 1.9 miles to Freesoil Road. Turn left on Freesoil Road for 0.6 miles to FS5327 (no sign). Turn Right on FS5327, the exchange is at the trailhead on the corner of Freesoil Road and FS5327. Park along FS5327, do not park in the trailhead parking area NCTR Event Details 2/3/2016 8:24 PM Page 4 of 6

5 Leg 7 Freesoil Road Leg: 4.07 miles Total Scenery: Scenic Difficulty: Easy Elevation Change Gain 429 Loss 380 Trail: A relatively flat section, follow the normal trail markings to the exchange at 5 Mile Road. (The trail follows a abandoned 2-track for 0.3 miles then the trail turns right off of the 2-track.) Road: Continue straight on FS5327 for 3.8 miles to 5 Mile Road. Turn left on 5 Mile Road for 0.2 miles to the exchange where the trail comes out onto the road. The property on the right side of the road in this area is private property you may not trespass or use the area as a rest stop. Leg 8 West 5 Mile Road Leg: 5.77 miles Total Scenery: Scenic Difficulty: Easy Elevation Change Gain 519 Loss 706 Trail: The trail turns left and follows the road for 2.3 miles at this point the trail re-enters the woods on the right had side of the road. Follow the road directions below. Once you re-enter the woods follow the trail for 3.5 miles to the exchange at 3 Mile Road. The 2 miles on the paved section of 5 Mile road have some rolling hills that can be busy with traffic, run on the shoulder against traffic. The second section of the leg has some challenging hills with a nice downhill finish to the exchange. Road: Continue straight on 5 Mile Road for 0.3 miles to the stop sign, at this point 5 Mile Road turns to pavement. Turn left on 5 Mile Road following the pavement for 2.0 miles to the point where the trail re-enters the woods on the right side of the road. At 1.0 miles on the section of paved road you will come to a stop sign at the intersection of Five Mile Road and Bass Lake Road, stay right following 5 Mile Road. Caution, runners will be running along 5 Mile Road reduce your speed, please drive with care. You may aid your runner in finding the turn into the woods or continue on to the exchange. From the point where the trail re-enters the woods continue straight on 5 Mile Road for 2.7 miles; at this point 5 Mile Road turns to the left; continue straight on 3 Mile Road which is a gravel road. (At 2.1 miles on 5 Mile Road the road turns to the right and changes names to Brooks) Follow 3 Mile Road 2.2 miles to the exchange where the trail crosses the road. Leg 9 3 Mile Road Leg: 6.20 miles Total Scenery: Visually Orgasmic Difficulty: Gut Buster Elevation Change Gain 1146 Loss 981 Trail: - Follow the trail crossing several two track roads to the exchange at 8 th Street. If you missed out on some of the early legs of the day then here is your chance to experience some of the best running of the day. The section along McCarthy Lake will allow you to almost forget the climb you have to make up after the downhill finish on leg 7. At 2 miles you will cross Mac Road, which is being used by the support vehicles use caution when crossing. Road: Continue straight on 3 Mile Road for 0.7 miles to Mac Road (no sign). Turn left on Mac Road for 2.3 miles to stop sign, this is FS5196. (At 1.5 miles on Mac Road the trail crosses the road please watch out for runners.) Turn left on FS5196 for 1.0 miles to FS5441. Turn right on FS5441 for 2.0 miles to 8 th Street. Turn right on 8 th Street for 0.5 miles to the exchange where the trail crosses the road, turn your vehicle around. Leg 10 8 th Street Leg: 4.89 miles Total Scenery: Gorgeous Difficulty: Challenging Elevation Change Gain 1498 Loss 2233 Trail: Follow the trail to the exchange at Wingleton Road. At 3.1 miles you will come to a Y where the NCT meets a spur trail leading to Timber Creek Campground, go left following the main trail. At 3.2 miles you will come to US 10, use caution crossing this busy road, you must yield to traffic; follow the trail across the road. Road: Go back 0.5 miles to FS5441. At this corner FS5441 changes names to FS5197. Turn right on FS5197 for 1.9 miles to US-10. Turn right on US-10 for 3.9 miles to Tyndall Road (map says Hamilton Road). Turn left on Tyndall Road for 0.5 miles to Stevenson Road. Turn left on Stevenson Road for 1.2 miles to W. Wingleton Road (at 0.9 miles Stevenson Road turns to the right and changes names to S. Branch Road). Turn left on W. Wingleton Road for 0.7 miles to the exchange where the trail comes out onto the left side of the road, turn your vehicle around and park before the trail NCTR Event Details 2/3/2016 8:24 PM Page 5 of 6

6 Leg 11 Wingleton Road Leg: 3.31 miles Total Scenery: Gorgeous Difficulty: Challenging Elevation Change Gain 583 Loss 626 Trail: Turn right on Wingleton Road for 0.7 miles to South Branch Road. Turn left on South Branch Road for 0.4 miles, shortly after crossing the Pere Marquette River veer left where the trail re-enters the woods. Follow the trail another 1.7 miles to 40 th Street. Turn left on 40 th Street for 0.5 miles to the exchange where the trail re-enters the woods. The beginning and ending are pretty easy with a fairly good climb in the middle. Road: Go back 0.7 miles to S. Branch Road. Turn left on S. Branch Road for 1.2 miles to 40 th Street. Turn left on 40 th Street for 1.5 miles to the exchange where the trail re-enters the woods. At 0.4 miles on S. Branch Road the trail re-enters the woods, you may aid your runner at this point to ensure they make the turn into the woods. Leg th Street Leg: 4.85 miles Total Scenery: Visually Orgasmic Difficulty: Challenging Elevation Change Gain 576 Loss 647 Trail: Turn right and follow the trail for 3.1 miles where you will cross 56 th Street, a busy paved road (at 2.9 miles a spur trail branches off to the right, continue straight on the main trail). Continue straight across 56 th Street following the trail for another 1.3 miles to the spur trail that leads to Bowman Bridge Campground. Turn left on the spur trail for 0.4 miles to the finish. For the last 0.4 miles you will be following white blazes instead of blue. With 0.2 miles to go you will cross back over 56 th Street. This last leg of the day has a little of everything, you will be able to cool off in the Pere Marquette River when you are done, enjoy! Road: Continue straight on 40 th Street for 3.0 miles to 56 th Street (no street sign, you will come to a stop sign, at 2.6 miles 40 th Street turns right.) Turn left on 56 th Street for 0.9 miles to Bowman Bridge Campground. Turn left into Bowman Bridge Campground, take the first road to the left up the hill and follow it to the back of the campground to the finish area. Double park in the group site 4 parking areas or along the right hand edge of the circular drive at the end of the road. Make sure to maintain an open lane for traffic. One individual from each team will need to report to the scoring table to notify us if circumstances did not allow each of the runners to run the minimum number of miles to qualify for their handicap, report total time run if your team ran concurrently and to pick up the participation awards for the team. You do not need to wait for your runner to finish the leg before picking up your participation award. For access to the river continue straight instead of taking the first left after turning into the campground and follow the drive to the river. If you want to park down by the river you must purchase a vehicle parking permit from the pay station. When driving in the campground you must observe the posted speed limit of 15 MPH. Please watch out for runners and campers. We do not have a lot of space at the finish area for parking; please do not park more than one vehicle in the area. If you have individuals meeting you at the finish they will need to park down at the river parking area NCTR Event Details 2/3/2016 8:24 PM Page 6 of 6

7 June 11, 2016 toilet Leg #1 (Start) Dist Toilets Water & Toilets Leg # 2 Dist /3/2016 8:25 PM NCTRM1 2016

8 June 11, 2016 Leg #2 Dist Leg #3 Dist Leg #4 Dist Water & Toilets Leg #5 Dist Leg # 6 Dist Leg # 7 Dist /3/2016 8:25 PM NCTRM2 2016

9 2/3/2016 8:24 PM NCTRM June 11, 2016