The BreakOut 24 Adventure Race
Sponsored by: Apex Outdoor Gear

 The race consisted of three stages; Owasippe, Muskegon and Double J.  Racers had to check in and out of HQ before embarking on each stage.  When they checked out they were issued the passport for that stage, which needed to be returned before obtaining the next passport.  Stage Musekgon consisted of biking, orienteering and paddling.  We were lucky enough to place checkpoints inside the USS Silversides and the LST 393.  The Silversides is the most decorated American submarine of WWII.   The LST is a WWII cargo ship that made a landing on Normandy Beach on D-Day and is one of only two remaining in existence. 

On Saturday at 9:00 the racers gathered to obtain their maps and instructions and hear the layout of the course.  Shortly after the teams dispersed to their cabins and vehicles to begin preparing for the 1PM race start. 

At 1PM all racers gathered at HQ, most on bikes, some in trekking gear.  It was an interesting start- seeing teams leave in three directions as all three stages were active.  Most teams choose to go to the Muskegon Stage.  Unfortuntely for all that went this way, the paddling on Muskegon Lake proved to be very difficult due to the strong winds.  This slowed teams way down and only a few were able to complete the full stage, which included navigation to three checkpoints in the featureless river flats of Muskegon River.

Stage Double J had racers leave on bike and attempt several points scattered down multiple dirt roads and trails.  Once arriving at the Double J ranch, eight checkpoints were waiting for some foot orienteering.  There were more route choices for the ride back, or if teams choose they could just follow main roads.  CP 11 took racers a few miles North and East away from HQ.  This extra mileage was a route few decided to attempt. 

The third stage was the Owasippe stage.  A second paddling section, trekking and orienteering made up the Owasippe stage.  The paddling was on Cleveland Creek and the racers that did this paddle were treated to some incredible scenery.  To get all of the paddling points, racers then needed to portage their canoe/ kayak up the switchbacks of the bike trail, across the road and then through the woods and put back in at Turtle Bay on Big Blue Lake.  Those that did this portage were rewarded with two additional checkpoints on Big Blue Lake.  Owasippe scout camp was the scene for the trekking and orienteering.  The orienteering was more difficult than the Double J stage but had more interesting topography.