Muddy Watters Fall Cider Slam, Rochester Hills
Cider Slam Cinches Take Plunge, Enjoy
By Tracey Cohen
ROCHESTER HILLS (10/18/08) -- Mother Nature treated participants in the second annual Muddy Watters Fall Cider Slam to blue skies and crisp, cool temperatures. The tricks were the makings of Great Lakes Endurance Racing Teams directors Jeff and Dori Watters and Caleb Mitchell.
Combining their love of trail running, adventure racing and Halloween, they presented a fun-yet-challenging race to celebrate the holiday.
The course ran mostly on unmarked trails, consistent with adventure races. At the pre-race meeting, runners were given a passport, course instructions and map of Bloomer Park where the race was held.
Entrants, who could vie solo or as two-person teams, had two hours to complete the course and amass as many points as possible. After the first three stations, runners could complete them in any order they preferred. Racing in costume earned competitors an extra point, and while most stations -- including the orienteering section -- were optional, some were worth more than others.
Still a newbie to adventure racing, I appreciated the camaraderie that typifies such events. Though I was officially racing solo, a couple saints took me under their wings and we muddled our way through the course together.
After performing pushups and devouring donut holes and cider (both mandatory), we dashed as fast as our bellies would allow to the “corner” store 1.5 miles outside the park. Here we had to buy candy for the children’s scavenger hunt at the conclusion of our race.
Additional stops challenged us to complete pull-ups, climb countless steps and traverse nearly-water-sunken logs. But none provoked as much trepidation for me as the bridge jump -- into nine feet of bone-chilling water.
This station was not mandatory, but worth three points and a lot of pride. Determined to face my fear, I shrieked “@#!!” and took the plunge. This earned me wild applause and “hardware” for being the third woman overall. Being cold-to-numb never felt so good.
Attaining all 15 control points and winning outright was Jason Culbert in 1:11:48. Zoe Metro led the women in 1:34:05. Honors for best costume went to “The Nun” who amused all by jumping off of the bridge, as a matter of “habit,” into the chill below. At the finish, runners were treated to hot homemade soup, fresh bread, cider, apples, raffle prizes and more.
In exchange for a one-minute head start, entrants donated 32 pairs of shoes. GL Teams will send the “retired soles” to the Nike Reuse a Shoe program, which recycles and turns them into athletic surfaces.
For complete results, photos and upcoming events, visit http://www.glteams.com. MR
