Race Website
Additional race information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/SwitchBacksRace.
Place
Chelsea, MI US 48118
Description
Can You Handle…..?
THE Winter SWITCHBACKS ? (2014 version)
What: Probably the toughest 5K you have ever attempted. Roughly 4 loops of what locals call “the
switchbacks”. Dirt, rocks, uphill, poor footing predominately on tight, rocky trails. Hopefully icy, slippery,
and/or drift-covered. Also- the course is probably long. The loops cover a section of the Waterloo trail
system, and on Green Road, a little-traveled chunk of hills and dirt. Basically, it is the stuff that would
make a Mule puke.
Where: The start is uphill from the parking lot on the south side of Green Road, near the eastern Jackson
County line. Take I-94 Exit 153 North 2 or 3 miles. Go east on Green road ¾ mile.
When: 10 AM on Saturday, Jan 25. This ensures that the race will be cold and miserable, and the wind
has had a chance to kick up. The horse excrement sometimes is partially thawed, and makes a messy
“soup” that will reduce traction.
Why: Good luck explaining this one to your friends.
Awards: There will be no awards. BUT, anyone who finishes the race without walking will receive a unique
award to be determined by the prize committee. Don’t worry, it will be one-of-a-kind…..
Cost: A $5 Bill. No checks or anything that would require technology. We will have no change. There will
be no pre-registration. Race day registration will start at 9 AM, and will be limited to the first 50 lunatics.
The money will go towards the prizes and towards the Chelsea Runners club.
Other features:
t No bathrooms. Runners should use the stump by that big pile of rocks, or the outhouses about 1
mile north at Clear Lake park.
t No water. If you want some, bring your own or go without
t No splits. They probably wouldn’t be accurate anyways.
t No music, cheerleaders, or other entertainment. You will get nothing except possibly frostbite if you
survive.
t Anyone caught wearing headphones, excessive spandex, or fancy matching workout clothing will
be shunned.
t Additional running allowed. Before or after the race, you can get lost on the brutal, seemingly
infinite Waterloo-Pinckney trail system that connects with the course. You may cut a hole in the ice
at Clear Lake and get cleaned off if you wish.
t Any questions, please call 734-433-9338 or email Julie Swager at seejulierun@gmail.com.
t Check out pictures, times, and how dumb this really is at the following site: https://
www.facebook.com/SwitchBacksRace
Directions
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