North Country Trail Run – Info & Entry FormWelcome:We invite all runners age 18 & older to participate in our 7th annual event. This will be our 3rd year at our new location. The number of participants is growing every year. We will continue to make improvements in an effort to make this the very best trail race in the Midwest. We will be offering a pre-race pasta dinner this year. At this time we are uncertain as to whether we will be able to offer prize money.
Fee:$60.00 postmarked by Sept. 10, $75.00 thereafter including race day. $54.00 for Striders Club Members. Fees are non-refundable, please don’t ask. Place:Big M Trails, Manistee National Forest, Manistee Michigan (see page 2 for directions.) Packet Pick-Up:Your race packet can be picked up on Friday, September 15, at Big M between 5 - 8 p.m. or Saturday morning between 6:15 - 7:15 a.m. Course:The course is a well marked 25 mile loop. There is an additional 1.2 mile section for the marathon runners. The trail is a single-track hiking trail with enough hills to make for a challenging race. There are no mountains, no rocks to jump over, and no stream crossings to wade through, just a beautiful forest with a few roots to remind you you’re off pavement. Crews can attend to their runners at several points. Aid Stations:There will be fully stocked aid stations every 2 ½ - 4 miles. Fluids consist of water, Gatorade and defizzed Coke. Foods consist of pbj sandwiches, potatoes, bananas, cookies, candy, energy bars, GU gel, electrolyte capsules and potato chips. For pain relief we provide Vaseline, aspirin, band-aids, toilet paper, and at the finish line we have beer. It’s recommended that each runner carry a water bottle. Age Groups:18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 & over. Awards:Awards will be given out as runners finish. Overall male & female winners and masters winners will receive an embroidered sweatshirt and an additional gift. Age group winners will receive a sweatshirt. Additional awards will be given out 2 - 4 places in each age group. Each finisher will get a commemorative gift. Shirts:Each registered runner will receive a classic moisture management long sleeved shirt. It proved to be a big hit last year. But don’t choose to run our race because of the shirt, choose it for the challenge it offers. Mail Entries Payable To:Striders · 4045 Chicago Dr. · Grandville, MI 49418
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First Name:_______________________________ Last Name: ______________________________________ Address: __________________________________ City: ____________________State: ________Zip _________ Age on Race Day: ___________ Circle Sex: M F Shirt Size: S M L XL Phone No.:__________________ Which Race? Circle: 50 Miles Marathon Pre-race Pasta Dinner: $6 each. How many? ______ Waiver: I know that running a trail race is a potentially hazardous activity and I should not enter this event unless I am medically able and properly trained. I assume all risks associated with running in this event. In consideration of your accepting my entry, I for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release Striders and all other sponsors from all claims of liabilities of any kind arising out of my participation in this event. __________________________________ ______________ Participant’s Signature Date Signed
Pre-race pasta dinner:We will be offering a pasta dinner on Friday night at Big M. Cost of the meal will be $6.00. It will include spaghetti with marinara sauce or meat sauce, salad, bread & beverage. You do need to fill out the entry form and reserve the number of dinners you will need. Please pre-pay with your entry fee. Race Time Limit:There is a 12 ½ hour time limit (15 minutes per mile pace) for all 50 mile runners to finish. Drop Bags:There will be a drop bag site for anything extra you need about ½ way around the loop and also at the start/finish line which the 50 mile runners will pass at mile 25. Post-Race Food:Each runner will be treated to fruit, hot soup, hamburgers, veggie burgers, salads, chips, and cookies. Beverages will include water, Gatorade, soda pop & cold beer. Driving Directions To Big M:The Big M trail system is located east of Manistee and west of Cadillac. The easiest access is from M55. From the intersection of US 31 & M55 in Manistee go east on M55 14 miles to Udell Hills Road. Go south on Udell Hills Road for 3.4 miles to the Big M Trails. If you’re coming from the east, get to the intersection of M37 & M55. Go west on M55 11.5 miles to Udell Hills Road. Go south on Udell Hills Road for 3.4 miles to the Big M Trails. Lodging:
Other Lodging:M55 – about 1 mile west of Udell Hills Road. (5 miles from Big M) Country Rest Motel 888 567-9877 (they only have 11 rooms) Camping:Big M parking lot. The Forest Service is going to allow us to camp at Big M. There are no designated sites, just a very big parking lot where you can set up camp along the outer edge. No electric, no showers, no water, no reservations, but yes there are pit toilets. We would like to limit camping at Big M, so please try the places below first. Heart of the Forest Campground – This campground is located on M55 in Wellston next to the Cozy Restaurant. Located about 7 miles from Big M. 20 sites with electric hook-ups, hot showers. $14.00 per night. Call 231 848-4161 for reservations. Pine Creek Lodge & Campground – This facility has cabins & 25 camp sites. Electric & hot showers are available. Located on M55 about ½ mile east of Udell Hills Road. It’s about 4 miles from Big M. $14.00 per night. Call 231 848-4431 for reservations. Sponsors:New Balance & Striders Running Store (Grandville, MI) Contact Us at Striders: Phone 616 261-9706 email: steve@stridersrun.com http://stridersrun.com |