Recent updates to this website:
| 29-May-08 | 10K Awards Have Arrived! |
| 29-Jun-08 | Modified 10K Race Course |
| 02-Jul-08 | Added Detailed Course Map |
| 03-Jul-08 | We have a Sponsor! |
| 10-Jul-08 | Weather Forecast -- Sunny, High 72, Low 58 |
| Should be a great day! | |
| 10-Jul-08 | Final "i" dotted -- Got the permit from MDOT |
| Everything's ready to go | |
| 20-Jul-08 | Race Results Posted (10K, 3.33K) |
On July 15, 2008, Cedar Campus is holding the inaugural Cedar Campus 10K - To the Bridge and Back road race.
Are you up to the challenge of running or walking from Cedar Campus to the bridge and back?
"THE MACKINAC BRIDGE?" you shriek in horror.
Gotcha! No, the train trestle at the Carmeuse Limestone quarry just a few miles down the road toward Cedarville.
"Whew," you sigh in relief. "But, how many miles is a few?"
Trust me, a lot fewer than going all the way to the Mackinac Bridge. Actually, it's exactly 10 kilometers from the center of camp to the train trestle and back ... just 6.214 miles. That's still a challenging distance, but easily doable in 30 minutes (by really fast runners) to 2 hours (by really slow walkers).
Although called a 'race,' the focus is not on competition but on a celebration of God who has given us life and bodies that are strong and able to do amazing things. Therefore, ALL finishers will receive a REALLY COOL award. The top finishers will receive a small variation of the award to recognize their accomplishment.
If a 10K is still too far for you, we offer a shorter race on July 15, 2008 that is one-third the distance ... a 10/3K race or the Cedar Campus 3.33K Fun Run/Walk.
If running or walking is not your thing at all, we really could use your help volunteering and cheering on participants. Click Volunteers to learn more about some EASY things you can do that will make a BIG difference.
"But I won't be at Cedar Campus on July 15, 2008!" you say.
That's OK. The Cedar Campus 10K Challenge is for you. It's the "race" that is available any day of the year and offers the same great prize as the race in July.
Click on the links above or to the right to find out more.
The Cedar Campus 3.33K Fun Run/Walk is a great way to join with friends and family and enjoy the beauty of Cedar Campus in a non-competitive, fun and exciting way.
This event shares the same start and finish lines as the Cedar Campus 10K Race but only goes one-third the distance. While the 10K race is "To the Bridge and Back," the CC 3.33K is "To the Road and Back" - down the camp road to Highway M-134.
"So how far is 3.33K anyway?" you ask.
Just over 2 miles .. 2 miles 376 feet 7-5/8 inches to be exact (although I can't guarantee it won't be off by a yard or two). People "bookin it" can finish in about 10 minutes, but those going at a very relaxed pace may take 45 minutes (which includes a few stops to smell the wild flowers). Family campers and staff who have little ones can push strollers. School-age children might be able to walk the 2 miles with you (and sleep well that night).
All finishers will receive a certificate of completion along with the personal satisfaction of accomplishment. They will also share in some great memories with family and friends.
When planning the Cedar Campus 10K Race, we knew that many people come to Cedar other weeks of the year. We certainly did not want to leave them out. We also wanted to promote fitness and exercise (and a way to burn off the calories from the great Cedar Campus food) year-round. Therefore, the Cedar Campus 10K Challenge was born.
Anyone who runs or walks to the Carmeuse Limestone Quarry bridge and back will receive the same great sense of pride and accomplishment and the same great award as the 10K race. Your accomplishment will be celebrated by all at the camp dinner hour when you will be presented with your award.
To sign up, just go to the General Store on the Old Mill Point side or the Hunny Pot on the Mariner's Cove side during store hours or see the camp's Recreation Director. You will need register to let us know when you plan on leaving and when you expect to return.
Since there isn't an offical start and finish line, the CC 10K Challenge course is slightly different than the 10K Race. For those camping at Mariner's Cove, we offer a start and finish line on that side as well. Click on Course Maps for details.
Also, please read the Special Considerations for the 10K Challenge section for important information pertaining to just the Cedar Campus 10K Challenge.
Cedar Campus 10K and 3.33K Races - July 15, 2008
Volunteers are the backbone of any successful road race. And the volunteers for the CC 10K are no exception.
We've tried to design the race as simply as possible to limit the number of volunteers needed so that everyone who wants to participate can.
But there are a few areas where we could sure use some help:
Course Setup * - Deliver aid station supplies and signs to
various places along the course.
Registration * - Help participants sign up for either the 10K or 3.33K
Aid Stations (2) +# - Pour water into cups, hold water out for runners, cheer participants on, clean up used cups, and watch for runners in distress.
Course Marshals (2) # - Direct runners at turns in course, cheer participants on and watch for runners in distress.
Finish Chute Crew + - Help record finish times and places, hand out finish cards, gather completed finish cards.
Course Teardown * - Gather up aid station supplies and signs from various places along the course.
Photographers % - Help document the day in pictures
* Can volunteer AND run/walk in the race
% Can volunteer AND walk in the race
# Cell phone and bike/car needed
+ Opportunity for school-age kids to help out
If you can help out, please email the Race Director. See Race Day Info for more information.
Thank you!
Cedar Campus 10K and 3.33K Race - July 15, 2008
Registration can't be any simpler ... show up, sign up, and run.
Just meet at the Cedar Campus office at Old Mill Point before the race. You'll be asked to print your name, read a waiver and sign, indicate your camp program, race (10K or 3.33K), age and gender. That's it.
There is no pre-race registration forms to mail in. No online registration web sites to visit. No packets to pick-up.
Just show up, sign up and run. And best of all, the office is 10 feet from the starting line.
But just because it is simple, doesn't mean it's not important. Everyone must register to we can accurately count finishers. If you register but don't finish, we will send out the search party.
Cedar Campus 10K Challenge
If you choose to go the distance on another day, start by going to the General Store at the Rec Hall at Old Mill Point or the Honey Pot at the McClure Center at Mariner's Cove to register. Since you will be leaving camp property, we need to know so that we can ensure your return.
All Races
Well, let's think for a moment about who's going to run/walk these races:
Therefore, 'what to charge?' was an easy question to answer ... NOTHING.
That's right ... FREE
This has many advantages:
But, if you are one of those runners who goes through serious withdrawal if you don't pay to enter a race, feel free to make a donation to the Cedar Campus Scholarship Fund instead.
With entry fees like that, we are all FREE to relax and enjoy the race.
Cedar Campus 10K and 3.33K Race Courses
Updates are shown in blue
Both the 10K and 3.33K (10/3K) races start near the camp office at Old Mill Point. They then proceed down the camp road toward the highway. Near the camp entrance the 3.33K runners/walkers will do a u-turn and head back toward camp.
Cedar Campus 10K Race and Cedar Campus 3.33K Fun Run/Walk
| Date: | Tuesday, July 15, 2008 |
| Registration: | 2:00-2:30 PM (no advance registration) |
| Start: | 2:30 PM |
| Where: | Start: Cedar Campus Office (OMP) Finish: Willoughby Lodge parking lot |
| Who: | Any camper, crew, program staff or CC staff (not open to the public) |
| Entry fee: | $0 - Free (but donations to the Cedar Campus Scholarship Fund will be accepted) |
| Limit: | None, the more the merrier |
| Distance: | 10K Race - 6.214 miles +/- 3.33K Race - 2.071 miles +/- |
| Course: | See Course Maps |
| Aid Stations: (water only) | 10K: Miles 1, 2.4, 3.7, 5.1 3.33K: Mile 1 only Finish line |
| Awards: | Everyone: Finisher award (10K) or certificate (3.33K) Slight variations for the following (10K only): Overall: First, second and third male and female Open: First and second male and female Masters: First and second male and female Masters division is defined as those that are no longer near college age. |
| Award Ceremony: | During dinner race evening at Willoughby Lodge (OMP) or Taylor Lodge (MC) dining halls |
| Volunteers: | Report at the CC Office: 1:15 PM Course Set-up Crew 1:50 PM Registration Crew and Photographers 2:00 PM Course Marshals and Aid Station Crews Report at the finish line: 2:15 PM Finish Chute Crew 3:15 PM Course Teardown Crew |
Timing
Chip timing has become all the rage at road races. Participants wear an electronic ID in their shoelaces that trips a computerized timing system when the person crosses the start and finish lines. Chip timing is very expensive and well over what the budget of our race can afford.
But that doesn't mean we are not working on providing chip timing at the CC 10K and 3.33K. I'm currently trying to convince CC Recreation Director Jim Schlosser to eat a potato chip every second of the race. For walkers that take 2 hours to complete the course that's 7200 chips !!
In case that idea falls apart, I would recommend runners concerned about pacing, splits and time to run with a stopwatch. In order to limit volunteers, we probably will not have people calling out split times on the course. There will be mile markers along the course on race day, but people taking the Challenge on another day will have to refer to the course map available at the camp stores for mile marks. We will be calling out times when runners cross the finish line, but there will not be a display clock.
Finish Line
Scoring is very simple. When you cross the line you will be handed a card consecutively numbered with your overall place (both races combined). After you catch your breath, please fill out the card and drop it in the bucket at the finish area. No card - no results. Be sure to accurately indicate whether you will be eating at the Willoughby Lodge dining room at Old Mill Point that evening or at the Taylor Lodge dining room at Mariner's Cove. Awards will be presented during dinner. Official results will be posted on both sides of the camp and also on this web site.
Cedar Campus 10K
The awards for the Cedar Campus 10K are REALLY COOL. So cool, in fact, that they are being kept secret (at least for now). And EVERYONE who completes the distance, running or walking, on race day or any other day, will receive the award. That's right. Even those who attend camp another week will have a chance to feel that same great sense of pride and accomplishment and receive the same great prize.
UPDATE: The 10K awards have arrived. Click here to see a photo if you don't want to be surprised.
Although the 10K race is not focused on competition, on race day there will be special awards with subtle differences for
Masters division is defined as those that are no longer near college age.
Cedar Campus 3.33K Fun Run/WalkAh yes, the pre-race pasta dinner. It has become a standard feature at all the great races. Even though there is no scientific proof that loading up on carbohydrates the night be for a race improves performance, many runners swear by it. Maybe the benefit is more psychological than physical.
The Cedar Campus 10K, being a great event, naturally will have a pre-race opportunity to carb-load. But, being held at a camp means we have to be creative. Two things make a pre-race pasta dinner a little tougher for us. First, we can't guarantee that camp chefs Rod and Matt will have spaghetti with maranara sauce on the menu. And second, since someone can take the Cedar Campus 10K Challenge any day of the year, pasta night after night would start a riot.
So here's our suggestion for a pre-race carb-load ... eat an extra slice or two of the great breads and bakery items Cedar Campus offers. Bagels, muffins or that to-die-for inch-thick rye bread; those items are always available and certainly will provide enough carbohydrates to power you the distance.
If you plan on doing the Cedar Campus 10K Challenge, here are some special things you need to consider.
1) We recommend you do the course with someone for safety. Remember the ol' buddy system you learned in kindergarten? Well, that is strongly recommended here as well.
2) Take your own water supply, as aid stations will be provided on the race day only.
3) Take a cell phone if you have one and have the camp's phone number, (906) 484-2294, programmed into it. If you don't have one, tell another camper when you leave and when you expect to be back.
Originally I didn't think I was going to need this page. Cedar Campus is obviously supporting the race -- for which I am very thankful -- but beyond that, I didn't expect to need any outside assistance.
Most races I've run in have used "homemade" signs which is normally sufficient on local side streets. For bigger races, police often assist with controlling busier intersections.
However, the CC 10K is being run on a Michigan State highway with traffic going 55 mph (or faster). As I worked with the awesome engineers at the Michigan Department of Transportation, we determined that official signage was needed. I was absolutely amazed by the professionalism of the MDOT engineers. They actually traveled from their offices in Newberry to the course twice to survey the site to make sure it was as safe as possible. From their observations and experience, they determined that offical "Watch For Pedestrian" signs would need to be placed 550 feet east and west of the course on M-134. They (along with the County Sheriff and my contact at the Clark Township Ambulance Corp) were also concerned about having the course go all the way to the bridge. The curve in the highway and the visual distractions of big trucks, piles of limestone and ships being loaded all combined to make them a bit nervous. Therefore, they have asked that the race turn-around about 1/4 mile before the bridge. I was originally bummed that the race is now technically "Almost to the Bridge and Back," but when one thinks about it "Back" is much more important than "Bridge" in that phrase.
Now where to get those signs ... I checked with a local Fort Wayne company that supplies construction signage and they quoted me a price of $115 each for the signs plus stands. OUCH !! $250-$275 to meet the signage requirements.
That's where Ron at MDOT helped out again. He was working on a permit for the annual Antique Boat Show and Festival of Arts in nearby Hessel and realized that they already owned the signs I needed. He contacted them and Barbara contacted me and the long-and-short of it is that they are willing to let use use their signs. WOW !
So with that in-kind donation, the CC 10K has an official sponsor. Please support the Les Cheneaux Historical Museum and The Maritime Museum and the Antique Wooden Boat Show and Festival of Arts. The Historical Museum is located one block south of the blinker light in Cedarville and the Maritime Museum is located four blocks east of the blinker light and the Boat/Arts show is August 8-9, 2008 in Hessel, MI.
Thank you Barbara and everyone affiliated with the Les Cheneaux Historical Association for your generosity.
