Waugoshance Trail Marathon Race Information 2013

Waugoshance Trail Marathon 1/2 Marathon, 5K & Kid’s 2K Emmet County, Michigan July 13. 2013

The course follows a remarkable section of the North Country Trail that travels from Cross Village to Mackinaw City in the far northwestern region of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The course features over 90% single track and includes rolling bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan, coastal forests, inland wilderness lakes. The half marathon starts in Wilderness State Park. The inaugural event in 2013 filled to capacity one month before race date.

Purpose

We are working with the Little Traverse Conservancy to promote awareness of the need to preserve wild habitat in northern Michigan. This event will help support environmental education efforts that focus on land preservation and knowledge of local flora & fauna.

2013 Waugoshance Trail Run Event Schedule

Registration

Registration is available online only. This is part of our ongoing efforts to minimize waste. The marathon is limited to 200 runners and the half-marathon is limited to 200 runners. The limitations are implemented by the Michigan DNR to minimize environmental impact, a measure we fully support. Registration will be turned off when events reach capacity. There is no waiting list. Please do not contact Great Lakes Endurance to request entry after the event reaches capacity. Runners must register by June 29, 2013 to receive a shirt. REGISTER NOW

Travel & Lodging

Nearest Airport: Pellston, MI
Exclusive Host Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Mackinaw City, MI.
Reservations recommended: 866.394.8339
Chamber of Commerce: 888.455.8100
Chamber of Commerce Website: http://www.mackinawchamber.com/

We recommend lodging at the Holiday Inn Express, which is only two blocks from the finish line and bus pick up to the start.

Packet Pick Up

Runners may pick up their packets on Friday, July 12, 1:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Mackinaw City High School in Mackinaw City. There is no race day packet pick up. In addition to receiving your race number & race shirt you can also attend the Interpretive Program on the Natural History of the Waugoshance Point, Sturgeon Bay, and Cecil Bay areas, also held at the Mackinaw City High School (See details below). Representatives from Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce will be on hand to provide runners with information on mountain biking, kayaking, swimming, hiking and other opportunities for outdoor recreation in the area.

Race Map Weekend Schedule

Events

Marathon

The marathon starts on Wycamp Lake Rd just north of Cross Village. The course follows the North Country Trail along Wycamp Lake before ascending the Sturgeon Bay bluffs. Runners travel through oak and pine forest, past small wilderness lakes before arriving at the Goose Pond in Wilderness State Park. The course then heads eastward through pine forest, crossing the wood bridge over the Carp River and along to the rolling bluffs overlooking beautiful French Farm Lake. Runners then enjoy winding single track through dense balsam forest before joining an old tree canopied rail grade for the last 1.5 miles into Mackinaw City. The course is well marked with colored flags, directional arrows, and mile markers. Runners are bused to the start from Mackinaw City High School.
Marathon Start: 7:00 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2013, Cross Village. Map

Half Marathon

The half marathon starts in Wilderness State Park and follows the last half of the marathon course past Canada Goose Pond, crossing of the Carp River, the north shore of French Farm Lake and then through a dense balsam forest before joining an old rail grade into Mackinaw City. A bus from Mackinaw City High School will take runners to the start.
Half Marathon Start: 8:00 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2013 Wilderness State Park.. Map

Kid’s 2K

The race starts and finishes in the grassy area above the Amphitheater in Wilderness State Park. The course is an out an back course on the Wiikeohs Trail. The surface is a combination of grass, dirt, and woodchips. Open to kids age 3-12. Parents are welcome to run with their children
Kid’s 2K Start: 5:00 PM Friday, July 12, 2013. Wilderness State Park. Map Available Soon

5K

The race starts and finishes in the grassy area above the Amphitheater in Wilderness State Park. The course is a loop that follows the Wiikeohs, Nebo, and Red Pine Trails.
5K Start: 5:30 PM Friday, July 12, 2013. Wilderness State Park. Map Available Soon.

Aid Stations

The marathon will have five aid stations at 4.2, 7.5, 13.1, 18.2, and 22.5 miles. The half marathon will have two aid stations at 5.1 and 9.4 miles. All runners will be required to carry a 20 oz water bottle or other functional hydration system which they can refill at each station.  Aid station volunteers will have large pitchers with cold water and cold HEED (Hammer Nutrition) energy drink with electrolytes and will quickly fill your bottle or hydration system. Simply have it open and ready to fill. Hammer Gel and Endurolytes will also be available at each aid station.

Time Limits

There is a six hour time limit for the marathon. This is strictly enforced due to safety reasons and the remote nature of the race course. Do not register if you cannot finish within six hours. Aid stations will close at times listed in the table below. Those runners who decide to drop out of the race are advised to drop out at an aid station where transportation back to Mackinaw City will be available. A sweep runner will follow the runners, closing the course.

Marathon Aid Station Closing Times

There is a four hour time limit for the half marathon.

Race Fees

Race fees include:

1. Bus transportation to the start (Marathon & Half Marathon).
2. Eco-technical race shirt (see Awards below, must register by June 29 to receive a shirt).
3. Post race refreshments.

Online registration for all events ends at midnight on Thursday, July 11, 2013.
Note: 2K Youth Race Fee is $20 on Race Day (July 12, 2013).

No refunds or participant transfers allowed. This means that once you register you will not receive a refund for any reason nor can you transfer your entry to another person. Do not contact Great Lakes Endurance for an exception to this rule. You may transfer from the marathon to the half marathon with written permission of the race director up until and including July 12. $25 charge for cancelled and NSF checks.

Transportation to the Start

Bus transportation to the start will start at 5:30 a.m. at the Mackinaw City High School.

Age Groups

Awards

Creating a Positive Experience

The Waugoshance Trail Marathon & Half Marathon are run on an immensely beautiful course. Please help us keep it that way by not littering. Runners who litter will be disqualified. The course is challenging so ensure a good race you must be well trained. Expect hilly and technical terrain characteristic of a trail run. Also, bring a 20 oz water bottle - it is required in the marathon and half marathon . If you forget one, you don't race. Aid stations are up to 5-6 miles apart, so to ensure that you have plenty of fluids and energy, refill your bottle at each aid station. Hammer Gel will also be available at all aid stations.

Natural History of Waugoshance Point

Waugoshance Point and Wilderness State Park have a rich geological, biological, and cultural history.  In addition to running the North Country Trail through this region we also want to provide you with the opportunity to learn about the natural history of the area. A Wilderness State Park forest ranger will provide an interpretive program on Friday July 12 at the Holiday Inn Express in Mackinaw City at 7 p.m., during packet pick up.

Littering

If you leave any trash on the trail or litter you will be disqualified and will not receive a medallion or other award. Do not expect to leave trash including plastic coffee cups, plastic beverage bottles (Gatorade, Powerade, etc), gum wrappers, food wrappers on the trail. Do not throw these things in the porta-johns. If you have any reservations about this policy do not register for this event.

Bikes

Bikes are not allowed on the course during the race except for volunteers. This is for runner safety. Spectators who wish to ride bikes can use the county roads to access several points on the marathon and half marathon course, but must remain off the actual running course at all times.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed near the finish area but must be up to date on all vaccinations and be on a leash at all times. All animal waste must be picked up and disposed of properly. Dogs cannot be left unattended, left in a vehicle, or tied up. Failure to abide by this policy will result in disqualification.

iPods/MP3 Players

We advise against use of iPods and MP3 players by participants but they are not forbidden.

Environmental Measures

1. Proceeds from the event support the Little Traverse Conservancy which provides environmental education and land conservation efforts in Emmet County.
2. Eco-technical race shirts from Greenlayer are made from 100% Recycled Polyester.
3. Each runner must carry a 20 oz water bottle or other functional hydration system. Why? Because cups are wasteful, end up in landfills, and don’t work very well at hydrating runners. At each aid station runners can have their bottle or hydration system refilled quickly with either cold water or cold HEED via a pitcher poured by a helpful volunteer. All you have to do is open up your bottle or hydration system and request the fluid of your choice. This is an obviously superior system on ecological grounds, however, we have found it results in less spillage (less waste) and better hydration for runners (they have access to fluid between aid stations as it is always with them).
4. Foods served after the event are either locally produced, organically grown, or both.
5. Marathon medallions are made by local artist Steven Stuchell.
6. Food waste is composted and all other materials are recycled.
7. Course is marked with reusable flags that are removed after the event.