Cntents GLOSSARY OF TERMS... 2 NEW THIS YEAR:... 2 INTRODUCTION... 2 LENA 50 MILE RELAY... 3 DEADLINES YOU MUST KEEP IN MIND... 3 BEFORE HEADIN DOWN THE TRACK... 3 HIRING YOUR CREW... 3 Shining times (starting time)... 3 Wearing the Blue... 3 Hw t Calculate Average Crew Highball (Average pace)... 4 Vlunteers... 4 Substitutins... 4 Refund Plicy... 4 INTEGRITY OF OUR EVENT -- DISQUALIFICATIONS... 4 HIGHBALLIN THE MAIN RAIL... 5 CREW CHECK-IN... 5 MAIN RAIL... 5 MAIN RAIL SWITCHES... 5 BEEHIVES... 5 PARKING AT THE REED CITY BEEHIVE... 6 DROPPING OUT OF THE EVENT... 6 RECOMMENDED CREW ROTATION... 6 Yard Crews... 6 Wrecking Crew... 6 Crew Supprt... 6 2017-- Peanut Rasters (crew vehicle)... 6 Visible Race Number... 7 Cell Phnes... 7 Peanut Raster Drivers... 7 Driving... 7 Respect Lcal Residents & Cmmunities... 8 REFLECTIVE VEST REQUIREMENTS FOR NIGHTTIME RUNNING AND CREW MEMBERS OUTSIDE OF PEANUT ROASTERS... 8 Night time running requirements... 8 Injured Runners during Race... 9 Littering & Prperty Damage... 9 Fllw Race Officials Instructins... 10 Weather... 10 Lightning... 10 In the Event f an Emergency Dial 911... 10 BUZZARD S ROOST... 10 BUZZARD'S ROOST IN COMSTOCK PARK... 10 Celebratin... 10 Page 1
Awards... 10 Results... 11 Glssary f terms "Crew" team "Cnductr"..captain f the team "Wrecking Crew"..ultra team f 6 runners fr The Fred "Yard Crew" standard team f 7 t 12 runners fr The Fred "Grunt Crew"...standard team f 4 t 6 runners fr The Ed "Cinder Crew"... standard team f 3 runners fr The Ed Lena Crew.standard team f 6 runners fr The Lena "Peanut Raster" team vehicle "Main Rail"...running rute "Switch".runner transitin pint "Spur" individual leg f run Beehive.main transitin pints fr 12 persn yard crews. Shining time..starting time Highball average crew pace Wearing the Blue..stpped because predicted average pace was t fast Cunting the ties.reducing speed Brken knuckles sleeping quarters fr crews Buzzard s Rst.finish line New this year: New event added The Lena a 50 mile relay starting n Saturday mrning Intrductin Yu must be thinking abut embarking n this great adventure if yu re reading the Crew Manual fr the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail 200 Mile Relay! 200 miles?!? Yu gt t be kidding me!! NO WAY!! But if yu really think abut it, it s nly abut 15 miles per runner fr a crew f 12! We feel yu can d it!! This year's newest additin is the Lena 50 Mile Relay!! Starting in Belmnt n Saturday, August 12, crews f up t 6 will run frm Ruge River Trail Head in Belmnt, MI t Piersn and back. All crews finishing the run will receive a finisher s medal fr each f their crew big, hnkin chunks f irn! Als, all crew members will get a great race shirt and enjy a catered menu frm Chef Vincent at the Buzzard s Rst this year!! Sme f the prceeds frm the event g directly t the Friends f the White Pine Trail. Their website address is http://www.whitepinetrail.cm. Page 2
Lena 50 Mile Relay This year we have decided t add a 50 Mile relay ptin running the mainline Saturday, August 12. The is a 5-6 persn relay the will start in Belmnt, traveling t Piersn Beehive and back t Belmnt. Participants will receive the full Fred experience nly in a shrter time frame. Can t d the vernight relay? This is the perfect ptin! Deadlines Yu Must Keep In Mind Crew Registratin Deadline August 1, 2017 Crew Highballin' Deadline July 15, 2017 Crew Captain Team Meetings July 30, 2017 3pm Krc Center Grand Rapids Final Crew Substitutins Race Mrning Befre Headin Dwn the Track Hiring Yur Crew Wrangle up sme buddies and register yur crew. Chse between Wrecking Crew (6 runners) and Yard Crew (7 t 12 runners) fr The Fred and chse between Cinder Crew (3 runners) r Grunt Crew (4 t 6 runners). Register yur crew at the run website, fredmeijerwhitepinetrail200.cm. Yu dn t need yur entire crew t register, but crews will need t be finalized by June 30, 2017. Yur crew is respnsible fr all race aid during the run. Yu must bring yur wn fd and water fr the entire event. There will be cnvenience stres alng the rute but if yu need smething special, PACK IT! Yu are yur wn sag wagn!! Shining times (starting time) There will be several times t shine based n yur crew s average highball (see table belw hw t calculate Average Crew Highball). Shining times are based n accurate highball predictins. These predictins are critical t a successful event and will allw us t place crews in starting slts that prduce the least amunt f cnfusin n the curse fr bth participants and rganizers. It is extremely imprtant that the highball submitted fr each crew is accurate. The ED, the start times will anticipate crews leaving Cadillac between 9pm n Friday, August 11 and 1am Saturday August 12. See maps n website fr start lcatins. All Lena Crews will begin Saturday, August 12 at 6:30am. Wearing the Blue We pen and clse ur Beehives based n yur average pace predictins. If yu are running faster than yu predicted, we may nt have a vlunteer at the Beehive t recrd yur time. If yur team is running at least 1 min/per/mile faster than predicted, yur team culd pssibly finish 3 hurs faster than predicted. If yu team is ver ne minute faster at any pint in the event, yu will Wear the Blue which means we will hld back yur team t make sure we have ur vlunteers in place at the next Beehive. This time will be subtracted frm yur verall time, s it s nt really a penalty except fr the fact that yur team will be idle. Page 3
We will d everything t make sure that we have calculated ur Beehive times t help reduce the risk f this happening. Hw t Calculate Average Crew Highball (Average pace) Please email Pete (at phandwerker@sbcglbal.net) yur crews estimated pace time as sn as pssible... T accurately prject a crew s highball: Take each runners 1/2 marathn** PACE, add them up and divide the ttal by the number f runners n the team." **If individuals have nt participated in a cmpetitive half-marathn recently, we strngly encurage them t run ne befre submitting a crew highball Vlunteers OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF THIS RACE AND THEY ARE GIVING UP THEIR VALUABLE TIME TO SUPPORT YOUR RACE!! LET S KEEP THAT IN MIND!! BE SURE TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR TIME!! AND PLEASE, ALWAYS BE POLITE... Mst lng distance relays require crews t supply a vlunteer fr the event, we are waiving that requirement, but encuraging any extra friends, spuses, etc. t sign up as a vlunteer n the website. We appreciate any help crews can supply. Substitutins If crewmembers need t be changed, the crew cnductr can make thse changes by cntacting Leslie at lbstian928@live.cm r at time f check in. If yur crew Highball time is ging t change dramatically, yu need t let us knw ASAP s we can adjust yur shining time! Refund Plicy All entry fees are nn-refundable, even if a crew is n lnger able t participate in the relay. If entry is t be deferred, the crew must make request and deferment may be granted at the judgment f the event directrs. Deadline fr transfers is June 30, 2017. Integrity f ur event -- Disqualificatins One place that we will nt cmprmise is safety. Any vilatins that endanger the safety f yur crew r anther crew will result in immediate disqualificatin. Yu will be asked t leave the event immediately. Using an RV as a peanut raster is anther area where disqualificatin is immediate. We have rule fr peanut rasters fr a reasn (see sectin n Peanut Rasters) The runner that starts a leg must finish that leg unless injured. If yu feel a team is nt fllwing this rule, yu must tell Hward r Dug at the time f vilatin, nt the end f the race. We will need physical evidence..."spur number, team names, runner numbers, maybe even phts"...just because yu said yu saw the vilatin will nt be enugh. We are cmmitted t maintaining ur gd relatinship with the cmmunities alng the FMWPT. They generusly agree t let us use their facilities during ur event and we assure them that the participants will be n their best behavir. Cnsequently, if at any time during the event the Head Hbs Page 4
determine that any member f yur crew has cmprised the integrity f the event and/r endangered ther participants, we reserve the right t disqualify yur entire crew. A decisin such as this is left entirely t the discretin f the Head Hbs and is nt subject t review. N refunds will be given. We are all adults, let cmmn sense prevail. Highballin the Main Rail Crew Check-In Crew cnductrs must have the entire crew sign race waivers and present the fllwing items t a race fficial/ staff at the time f check in: At least tw (2) led runner lights each peanut raster. At least ne (1) running headlamp r hand held flashlight. Each runner must have a reflective vest. Runners shuld carry cell phnes while running at all times even during the day. Upn check-in, crews will receive runner numbers and peanut raster signage. The signage needs t be visible t anyne utside f the peanut raster. Driving instructins and last minute details will be relayed t crews at this time als. Lena crews d nt need any lights but may need a reflective vest fr the first runner n Saturday mrning. Main Rail G t http://www. http://www.fredmeijerwhitepinetrail200.cm/ each spur. fr individual maps f Main Rail Switches The run cnsists f 36 switches alng the main rail with 6 f the switches dented as a "Beehives." At "Main Switches" ALL peanut rasters are allwed t park. Beehive switches are Shining Time at Ruge River Park in Belmnt Piersn Reed City Nrth Cadillac Middle Schl Reed City Piersn Buzzard's Rst in Belmnt Beehives At the Reed City and Piersn (Saturday Only) Beehives, we have facilities set up fr crews t set ut sleeping gear. Sleeping gear cannt be in these facilities if the crew van is nt the ff van. In ther wrds, if yur van is heading twards Cadillac, yu cannt reserve space fr when yu return. NO AIR MATTRESSES! This ain t n Hliday Inn!! The Scut Building in Reed City and the Piersn Twnship Hall will again be places fr crews t bed dwn. The Reed City Scut Building in Reed City has a clsing time f 8:00am. If yur crew need mre sleep time, head t the Piersn Building. Page 5
Parking at the Reed City Beehive With the additinal vehicles we are requiring all crews t park at the Scut Building in Reed City and nt in the Yplait parking lt. Drpping ut f the Event If yu are ging t drp ut f the event fr whatever reasn, yu need t cntact Hward r Dug immediately. If thse tw are nt available, yu need t cntact Pete. We need t knw that yu are n, lnger n the curse and we aren't hlding vlunteer at a check pint waiting fr yu. Recmmended Crew Rtatin Yard Crews Each member f the crew will cmplete three legs f the relay. Runners may run any leg that they wish, but we recmmend runners run in the same sequence thrughut the run t help facilitate which runners g in which peanut raster. Fr example, if a runner runs spur 1, he shuld als run spur 13 and 25. If this methd is fllwed, runners in peanut raster #1 will run spurs 1-6, 13-18, and 25-30. The runners in peanut rasters #2 will then be respnsible fr spurs, 7-12, 19-24, and 31-36. Wrecking Crew Each member f the crew will cmplete six spurs f the curse. Because yur whle crew will be in ne peanut raster, we really dn t want t knw what ges n in there!! Als, limit yur Facebk psts as nt t scare yur yunger friends. Crew Supprt This is a self-sufficient race. We d nt prvide fd r water. Crews are respnsible fr all nutritin fr themselves and the runners alng the curse. There will be pprtunities t stp at cnvenience stres and restaurants (fr Yard crews) alng the way. But if yu want smething special, bring it with yu. We are trying t make arrangements at different lcatins fr extended stays (rlling ut sleeping bags and shwers) fr the crews t rest. Watch the website and yur e-mails fr details as we get clse t the event. Sme crews have spectatrs traveling with them in a separate vehicles. These vehicles cannt park in the trailheads except at the Scut Building. 2017-- Peanut Rasters (crew vehicle) We recmmend 12 15 passenger peanut rasters whenever pssible. Runners will have a lt mre rm t relax. We d nt allw any vehicle lnger than 20'. Mtr hmes, RV s, campers, trailers, buses r lims are nt allwed n the curse. Yard Crew -- 2 vehicles max Wrecking Crew -- 2 vehicle max Grunt 2 vehicles max Cinder -- 1 vehicle max. Lena Crew 1 vehcile max. Crews prvide their wn vehicles. Page 6
With the additinal vehicles we are requiring all crews t park at the Scut Building in Reed City and nt in the Yplait parking lt. We have limited parking at sme runner switches, s please park nly ne peanut raster at these switches. Peanut raster numbers will be assigned at check-in. These numbers need t be visible in the frnt and rear windws. Crews using just ne vehicle shuld pst bth peanut raster numbers in their windws s they are allwed at each exchange pint. Tw peanut rasters are allwed at Beehives where the runner rtatin requires it. Mst crews will have 12 runners, s Beehives lcatins are: Shining Time Ruge River Bank in Belmnt Piersn Reed City Nrth Cadillac Middle Schl Reed City Piersn Buzzard's Rst in Belmnt We recmmend peanut raster #1 cntains runners 1-6 and peanut raster #2 cntains runners 6-12. Runner #1 frm peanut raster #1 begins at the starting line. Once the race starts, peanut raster #1 travels t the first runner exchange pint where runner #2 will prepare t run. Runners frm Peanut raster 1 cntinue t run in rder up t runner switch #6; At switch #6, peanut raster #2 shuld be waiting. At this pint, runner #6 frm Peanut raster #1 will hand ff t runner #7 frm peanut raster #2. Then, peanut raster #2 cntinues alng the race curse rtating runners until the next majr switch, switch #12, where they will hand ff t Peanut raster 1 again. This pattern cntinues until the Finish. Visible Race Number Crew race numbers must be wrn and visible n the frnt f each runner at all times while running. Bib numbers must be pinned t the uter mst layer f clthing, including jackets, shrts, and reflective vests. At night, please attach the bib in a manner that des nt bscure reflective material. Cell Phnes Runners shuld carry cell phnes at all times even during the day. Because runners will be away frm the rad during parts f the run, it will be very helpful if they carry a cell phne in case f injuries r ther issues. Peanut Raster Drivers We recmmend that Grunt crews in The ED shuld have a separate driver and we require that a Cinder Crew in The Ed have a separate driver. Peanut raster drivers DO NOT need t be members f the crew. Driving Written driving instructins are being develped and will be psted n-line as sn as they are finalized. An email will be sent t the cnductrs as changes are made. Garmins, TmTms r Onstar types f GPS navigatins systems are strngly recmmended fr all crew, ne fr each peanut raster. We have tried t capture actual Page 7
address lcatin as clse as pssible t all runners switches. If yu dn t have access t a GPS unit, written driving instructins and maps will be prvided t the crews. We ask that all drivers be alert and drive at r belw psted speed limits. Be sure t leave adequate time t arrive at exchange pints s that there is n temptatin t speed. Please be curteus all thers n the rad. D nt hnk in residential areas. Respect Lcal Residents & Cmmunities While traveling thrugh the lcal cmmunities, please remember we are guests and yu shuld treat all residents with curtesy and respect. Ging ut f yur way t thank lcals will g a lng way in securing ur ability t return each year. Reflective Vest Requirements fr Nighttime Running and Crew Members Outside f Peanut Rasters If there is ne thing we will nt waiver n is runner safety, especially at night. Nighttime reflective gear and lighting will be required frm dusk t dawn. Every crew member utside the supprt vehicle MUST wear a reflective vest at dusk (this time t be determined). Night time running requirements Runner MUST wear tw (2) led runner lights, ne in frnt, ne in back Runner MUST wear ne (1) running headlamp Runner MUST wear a Fred Apprved Reflective Vest r Harness. Runners shuld carry cell phnes at all times even during the day. A chaperne fr nighttime runners will be allwed either as anther runner r as a biker. But that extra runner/biker must have the safety lights and apprved vests just as the runner is required t have. After sunset n Friday and until sunrise at Saturday mrning, these safety measures must be fllwed. SAFETY IS THE ONE REASON THAT WE WILL DISQUALIFY A TEAM FROM THE EVENT. S bring extra batteries fr yur lamps. Peanut rasters are nt allwed t fllw the runner while runners are n rads. Please d nt stp r slw dwn in places that will impede traffic Runners are t run n the left shulder f all rads (against traffic), using sidewalks when available, unless signs r race fficials direct therwise. Page 8
******************************************************************************************** Injured Runners during Race In the event f an injury, any f the remaining runners can replace the injured runner. With the exceptin f the leg in which the runner was injured, legs cannt be split in sectins. Once a runner drps ut f the race, he r she cannt re-enter back int the race. Once an IV is administered, the injured runner is n lnger eligible t run. Crews can substitute the injured runners legs in any fashin they see fit. Littering & Prperty Damage Any runners wh are reprted t have damaged private r public prperty r t have littered, urinated r defecated n private r public prperty will be disqualified and will nt be invited back. Tilets and trash bins are available at all exchange pints. Page 9
Fllw Race Officials Instructins Race fficials include staff and vlunteers. Curse vlunteers will be statined at strategic switches alng the trail, but nt all. We are all adults here. We dn t feel that we need t baby-sit crews at all switches. We trust the crews t make hnest switches because we are here t have fun, right? I SAID RIGHT? That s better!! Weather The train is rlling whether it s rain r shine. Hwever, under certain severe weather cnditins wherein significant damage r alteratins t the race curse may ccur, we reserve the right t cancel the event. There will be n refunds given if the race is canceled due t severe weather cnditins. The race may be canceled r delayed due t, but are nt limited t, the fllwing: severe electrical strms/ thunderstrms, typhns, earthquakes, severe raining, flding, fg, landslides, mudslides, etc. Every effrt will be made t hld the event!! Lightning If there is lightning at the start f the race we reserve the right t delay starts until the lightning clears. If yu see lightning n the curse after the race has started, get yur runner ff the rad and int the supprt vehicle. Make a nte f the time and the lcatin where yu exited the curse. If lightning clears within 1 hur put yur runner back n the rad where they left and make a nte f the time. If lightning persists lnger than an hur, Race Officials will give yur crew instructins n hw and where t prceed In the Event f an Emergency Dial 911 We will have n medical staff n hand. First aid will be statined at all majr exchanges. They will be equipped t handle nly minr sprts injuries. Please be aware f this and plan ahead n hw yu will handle any emergencies. It is the respnsibility f each crew t be aware f the lcatin f hspitals and ther medical facilities and their hurs f peratin. In the event f an emergency, dial 911 Then ntify the nearest race fficial, as they will be able t cmmunicate with medical persnnel r call fr an ambulance if the emergency is severe. Buzzard s Rst Buzzard's Rst in Cmstck Park Celebratin Jin us at Ruge River Park fr the Fred/Ed Buzzard Rst!!! Mre details t fllw! Awards The Fred trphy will g t the verall winning team, whether yard r wrecking crew. A permanent plaque will be affixed befre we let the winning team take the trphy. Details will be wrked ut between the event and the winning team. Awards will als be given t verall yard crew and wrecking crew (minus the verall winner). We will als be giving away prizes fr best crew design, best crew name, mst crew spirit, and anything else we can cme up with! Page 10
Results Start and finish times will be tracked and results will be psted n the web site fllwing the event. Team times will be recrded at all Beehives. Page 11