Participant Info
How to Win the M-22 Challenge
For 2010, we are providing all athletes with a “chip” that will time each portion of the event. The event begins with a shotgun start, meaning the race begins at the same time for everyone regardless of when you cross the start line. If you are a serious athlete and registered as an “expert” you are asked to line up at the front of the pack. Intermediates are asked to line up behind the experts and beginners at the back. This is the safest way to get all 300 athletes up and riding.
Athletes will dismount their bikes at a designated point and run into the transition area, crossing over a pad that will mark their biking time. This point also begins their running time. When athletes run back into the transition area after the running portion, their time will be marked again and the timing for the kayak portion will begin. Timing for the kayak portion ends at the finish line.
The King of the Dune and Queen of the Dune will be timed from the beginning of the running portion (from the transition area) to the top of the dune. So if you are really after winning that portion of the event, you will want to give it your all for the first half of the running portion until you reach the top of the dune.
1. PARKING – Be prepared for LOTS of traffic and long lines to park the morning of the event. All competitors and spectators are asked to park in the “Dune Climb” parking lot – no parking is allowed at the event site this year or on the side of the road (Park regulations). We ask that all participants purchase the required National Park parking pass BEFORE event day as that is what creates such delays. Passes can be purchased at Check-In through Crystal River Outfitters or at the park offices. We will provide a shuttle service between the “Dune Climb” parking lot and the event site.
2. EQUIPMENT DROP-OFF – Please, please, please try and drop off your kayak/SUP and bike at the event site during the Friday Check-In time (June 11 between 5 and 8pm). We have hired a security guard to watch over all equipment for Friday night to ensure nothing will be tampered with.
3. CHECK-IN DATES – All participants must check-in to receive race bib, timing chip, and race packet. Check-in times are June 10 from 5-7pm at the M22 shop in downtown Traverse City; June 11 from 5-8pm at the Event Site (Little Glen Lake Picnic Area); or June 12 from 7-8am at the Event Site.
4. RIDERS MEETING – All competitors are asked to gather at the event site for a riders meeting at 8:30am.
5. START LINE – Bike staging will open at 8:45 am in the closed-off portion of M-109. To eliminate potential accidents at the start of the race we ask that all “expert” athletes line-up at the front of the start line with less experienced and beginner athletes lining up towards the back.
6. FINISH LINE – For 2010 athletes will paddle into a kayak/SUP dismount area where competitors will jump out of their boats, run out of the water and sprint a short distance through the finish line. This part of the race is sure to be very entertaining to watch!
7. KAYAK/SUP POWERWASHING – Glen Lake Invasive Species Control Program is still in effect. All watercraft must be powerwashed prior to dropping them off at Little Glen Park. Powerwashing is free and available at the Day Forest Road ramp which is the only public launch site on Glen Lake or at On the Narrows Marina on M-22 at the bridge from 12-8pm on June 11th and 7-8am June 12th.
8. BIKING – NO DRAFTING – NO drafting allowed – this will be monitored and riders will be penalized for ignoring this rule. Riders will be warned for the first violation. If the same rider is caught drafting a second time they will be docked 5 minutes on their overall time. If the same rider is caught drafting a third time they will be disqualified. If you are unaware of what drafting is please visit the rules page on www.m22challenge.com.
9. CHIP TIMING – Your timing device for this event is the ChronoTrack B-Tag – a single use bib tag. In order to receive an accurate time, please confirm your bib is clearly visible on the front of the torso, pinned in all four corners, not covered, and does not get soaking wet!
10. LELAND WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL – Just 15 miles north along the scenic M-22 highway to the Leland Harbor and steps from historic Fishtown, participants as well as their family and friends will find the Leland Wine & Food Festival beginning at Noon the same day as the M-22 Challenge.
And remember, HAVE FUN! – Be competitive. Do your best. But most importantly have FUN!
Event Overview
Event Location
For directions to the event site (Little Glen Lake Picnic Area), please use the following address:
6900 South Dune Highway, Empire, MI 49630-9447
*The event site is called the Little Glen Lake Picnic Area, please park in the “Dune Climb” parking lot.
Are you up to the Challenge?
The event is challenging, but not impossible. Appropriate for any person of average physical capabilities from first time racers, to high school athletes and professional triathlon competitors, anyone looking for a healthy challenge will find this event of interest. Best of all, there’s no swimming required!
The challenge is there for the competitive athlete, however, if you can walk, run, paddle, and bike, the overwhelming beauty of the area and the camaraderie of those attending will make this event worthy of your participation. Make the M-22 Challenge your goal for this summer.
The Route
BIKE – RUN – PADDLE
The course is to be designed to take average athlete approximately two hours to complete. The M-22 Challenge will begin at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore park (aka Little Glen Lake Picnic Area) located on the northwest corner of Little Glen Lake at 9:00am.
The first leg requires athletes to bike approximately 17 miles around Big and Little Glen Lake. Bike highlights include a peddle through downtown Glen Arbor, sections along the Crystal River and the famous M-22, and of course, Inspiration Point. The Leelanau County Sheriffs Department will be leading the bikers in a “rolling enclosure” that will allow athletes use of the entire right lane of the roads.
For the second running portion, athletes will cross the street into the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Parkshore “Dune Climb” park and face a steep and sandy climb up the dune. The reward at the top is the view! Competitors will then catch their breath in a fun run down the dune and along a groomed trail to M-109. On the road, runners will sprint back to the event site and transition area to complete the approximate 2 mile run. Approximately half of the run will take place on pavement.
Transitioning from a run to the water, the third and final portion of the event has participants paddling out and back into Little Glen Lake for approximately 2 miles. Athletes are only allowed to use one (1) paddle to hand power their chosen craft (kayak, standup paddle board, anything else you can dream up! etc.) A two blade paddle is allowed, but in no way can the paddle be fixed to the craft.
Please note the finish line for 2010 will be different than the previous year. The finish line will not be located in the water, but instead 20 feet from the waters edge on land. We have to do this in order to use the chip timing method. This finish is guaranteed to create some exciting moments as athletes jump from their paddle crafts and sprint through the finish line!
What do I need to participate?
Athletes are required to supply their own bikes (road bikes or mountain bikes) and helmet as well as their own water transportation (kayak/canoe/stand up paddle board/etc) and paddle. Kayak rental is available at event check-in through Crystal River Outfitters at a discounted rate.
Finally, we encourage you to train so you can push yourself in the race.
Don’t forget to bring your friends and family to cheer you on at 9:00am on June 20th 2009. The transition area and finish will be exciting to watch and Glen Arbor is an excellent place to spend a summer day.
Parking
*Please note there is a parking fee charged by the National Park Shore* All spectators and participants please park at the Dune Climb parking lot and walk across the street down M-109 to the Event Site. There is very limited parking at the Event Site. For 2010 we will offer a free shuttle service to transport athletes from the Dune Climb parking lot to the event site. You can learn more by visiting the National Park Service Website.
Those Important Details…
- Event begins at 9:00AM sharp on June 12, 2010.
- Event staging takes place from 7-8:30am at the event site. Athletes meeting at 8:30am at announcers podium. Bike start staging opens at 8:45am.
- All participants must pre-register online, there is no on-site registration. Registration is $75 per participant.
- All participants must Check-In to receive Race Packet and Race Bib. Check-In times are June 10, 2010 between 5 and 7 pm at the M22 shop in downtown Traverse City ; June 11, 2010 between 5 and 8 pm at the Event Site - Little Glen Lake Picnic Area; OR June 12, 2010 between 7 and 8 am at the Event Site.
- Please bring bikes and watercraft to Check-In at Event Site (or before the race in the morning) to establish your placement. Staging for bikes and watercraft closes at 8:30 am, we recommend bringing your bike and watercraft to the event on June 11, we will have security overnight to watch all equipment.
- Kayak rental available upon Registration, advanced reservations recommended.
Event Trophies
Top three places in both the Male and Female Overall divisions will receive trophies, along with the First Place finishers in each age group. We will also recognize the “King of the Dune” and “Queen of the Dune” and the “I Finished the M-22 Challenge” participants with a trophy.
Lodging
The Homestead – America’s Freshwater Resort
A mile of sandy beach on Lake Michigan, year-round recreational facilities, a new health and fitness center, a spa, interesting shops and inviting restaurants await you. So, too, do extraordinary facilities for weddings, reunions and meetings. You can enjoy it all while staying at Fiddler’s Pond, a resort hotel; Little Belle, a romantic getaway for couples; Stony Brook Lodge, a respite with commanding views; The Inn, an exquisitely restored historic structure; and privately-owned homes and condominiums.
Located just miles from the M-22 challenge race start & finish, spectators and athletes can stay at The Homestead Resort for a discounted rate. Package includes: nightly lodging, in your choice of accommodations, you will also receive a souvenir M-22 logo hat, continental breakfast each morning from Cavanaugh’s, the resorts on-site deli & general store for each guest. Rates start at $158.50 plus tax and tariff per night based on double occupancy.
Please contact Chris Sutton, Guest Services Manager at 231.334.5119 or view their website www.thehomesteadresort.com
Camping and other options
Check out the Glen Arbor Chamber Website for great options. If you want to camp visit the DH Day Campground Website.
Course 1- Bike
The M-22 Challenge will commence with the bike portion of the event. At 8:45am thletes will stage in a closed off area on M-109 at the event site. Once we announce the start of the race at 9am, riders will pass through the starting line heading north. This road makes a sharp right-hand turn and leads into downtown Glen Arbor. Bikers will pass through downtown and local hot spots like Arts Tavern, Totem Shop, and Crystal River Outfitters and merge onto M-22. The route leads on Highway M-22 following the Crystal River up to County Road 675 where riders make another right-hand turn and continue along the eastern edge of Big Glen Lake up to Inspiration Point. The route then follows along the southern edge of Big and Little Glen Lake back onto M-22 briefly, then merges onto Welch Road and then turns onto Harriger and back onto M-109. Bikers then sprint back to the event site and into the transition area to prepare for the paddle course.
Below is a map of the bike course:
Course 2- Run
Athletes will stage in the Little Glen Lake Park parking lot, pass through the starting line and cross over M-109 then continue into the Sleeping Bear Dune National Lakeshore Park.
Competitors will then face an approximately 100 yard climb up the sand dune, bank left around a marker, run a short sprint along the top of the dune, and then make another left for a run down the dune face. Don’t let this portion of the event intimidate you! We have run it plenty of times; it is challenging – but not as difficult as you think.
Once off the dune, a short groomed trail will lead runners back on to M-109 where the running portion concludes with a sprint back to the main event site and into the transition area.
Check out the course map below:
Course 3- Paddle
Once athletes finish with the biking portion, they will pass through the staging area, pick up their paddle craft, and launch into the water for a 2 mile paddle. The course begins by heading directly east to a designated point. *Note to participants, there are some very shallow spots in this section so be prepared. The bottom is all sand, but will require strategic navigation to excel. Athletes will make a right-hand turn around a buoy and head directly west with stunning views to the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. Participants then make a final right-hand turn around the second buoy and head into the final stretch through the finish line.
Below is a map of the paddle course:
Event Rules
Since there is a cut-off for amount of participants in this event, no refunds will be given for any reason. We are not responsible for late arrivals and hold the right to refuse any entry after staging/transition area is closed. Bikes and kayaks/SUP’s/etc. MUST be placed in proper location during the alloted staging time. Please respect the event management and volunteers, profanity will not be tolerated, along with any type of littering. Automatic Disqualification to any athlete that throws any type of refuse on the course at any point, we ask that you please leave clean tracks and put garbage in the designated bins (we are striving for a “Zero Waste” event for 2010!).
For the bike portion, riders are required to stay as close as possible to the white line on the road, absolutely no crossing of the yellow line. Helmets are mandatory for the biking portion. We ask that the more experienced athletes line-up at the front of the pack for the start. NO drafting allowed – this will be monitored and riders will be penalized for ignoring this rule. Riders will be warned for the first violation. If the same rider is caught drafting a second time they will be docked 5 minutes on their overall time. If the same rider is caught drafting a third time they will be disqualified. If you are unaware of what drafting is please visit this link.
