Adventure Race Teams Headed to Straits
300-Mile EUP Trek May Be Toughest Yet
By Ryan Schlehuber

Thirty-six four-person teams will backpack more than 300 miles for four consecutive days, trekking along forest trails, bicycling, canoeing, rappelling from cliffs, and exploring caves in a timed race to take place in St. Ignace from Sunday, May 27, to Saturday, June 2.

Organized by Infiterra Sports' Expedition Adventure Race, the Straits area will become what race officials believe will be the toughest and longest multi-task race course the company has put together in Michigan.

"It's an expedition with a stopwatch," said race director Luke Osborn, describing the event.

The teams will begin at the Mackinac Bridge park, travel along Mackinac Trail toward and east to Clark Township, come back around through Trout Lake, and back to where it started, a loop of more than 300 miles. Teams must have at least one female member.

Each team is given a map, a compass, and coordinates to each checkpoint. Getting from one checkpoint to another includes hiking through forests, paddling in a canoe or kayak in Lake Huron or across a small lake or river, bicycling on two-track trails, rappelling down rock faces, and even roving through caves a quarter of a mile under ground at the Michigan Karst Conservancy near Trout Lake. Teams will be escorted by police from the bridge to Mackinac Trail for safety.

At each checkpoint, teams will be able to rest and prepare their gear for the next task. Most teams usually only rest for two to three hours a day, race directors say.

Teams will be briefed on rules, safety tips, and map directions at a pre-race meeting at Little Bear East Arena and Community Center at noon Monday, May 28. The race begins Tuesday morning, May 29. A post-race awards banquet will be held at Quality Inn in St. Ignace at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 2. The banquet is free to racers, fans, and volunteers.

Infiterra Sports was formed in 2003 by outdoor adventure enthusiasts Zac Chisholm of Otisville, Chad Lambert of Warren, Mr. Osborn of Otisville, and Don Hudson of Davison. It will be the first time the group has offered its Expedition Adventure Race in the Upper Peninsula.

The group coordinated a "coast-to-coast" expedition race last year that started in Frankfurt and ended in Alpena, but opted for the loop race this year.

"We're excited to be in the U.P.," said Mr. Osborn. "Just as St. Ignace uses the phrase, 'Gateway to the U.P.,' that's how we see it for our participants. We wanted to be able to allow people to explore the U.P. and not be as spread out. Having it just across the bridge is perfect for us because we can have our headquarters here in St. Ignace and have the course close to us."

Each person on a team must arrive at checkpoints with the rest of the team and teams are not permitted to use Global Positioning System devices that can pinpoint a spot using satellite technology.

"Navigation is a huge, important part of this race, especially when they are trekking in remote areas of the woods at night," said Mr. Osborn.

The first place prize is $7,000, second place is $3,000, and third place winners will be awarded $2,000. Each of the top three teams will win new gear and clothing from race sponsors, as well.

"It's definitely a physically demanding sport, but the mental part is just as tough," said Mr. Osborn. "Teams are required to pack mandatory gear and are instructed to complete the course as a team, but besides that, it's a self-regulated sport. They choose when and how long they want to rest."

Mr. Osborn said the course becomes even more challenging during inclement weather, although the race will be suspended if there is a chance of lightning while teams are in the water. The course in St. Ignace, he said, offers a variety of challenges for participants, more than past expedition races, which could make this race the hardest Infiterra Sports has put together.

Race directors expect the first team to cross the finish line no sooner than the third day. In other expedition races, teams started crossing the finish line only two days after starting.

Of the 36 teams, only seven are from Michigan. A team from Grayling, the northernmost Michigan team competing, is named Woods and Water Ecotours after the Hessel company that has provided equipment and paddling instructions for participants.

Other teams are coming from as far as California, Massachusetts, Florida, and Canada.

Race results will be posted at infiterrasports.com.