The BreakOut 24 Adventure Race
Sponsored by: Apex Outdoor Gear

What is the BreakOut 24?

The race is unique in its operation, as well as format.  The BreakOut 24 is set up in a stage format, but not like other stage races.  The BreakOut has three stages that run concurrently.  Each stage runs for the entire duration of the race, unless a dark zone is required for safety purposes.  There is a central HQ that racers check in and out of for each stage.  Picture a start line with racers in gear for paddling, trekking and biking all departing at the same time, yet headed in different directions.  This leaves a tremendous amount of options to the racers.  If you paddle during the daylight, will you orienteer at night?  Of if you get one o-course cleared at day, will you have to bike single trak at night?  These “dilemmas” are exciting to watch unfold and observe the many reasons for a particular strategy. 

In the BreakOut, every CP is optional.  You (the racer) decide which points to obtain, and in which order.  Some stages are longer with more CP’s; so racers have to decide on how much time will be spent on each CP. 

My philosophy about the race is that if you pay, you can race as much or as little as you want.  I also allow any combination of teammates from solo to four person. All this for only $100 per racer!  And for any returning racers the cost is only $90.

The race is sponsored by Apex Outdoor gear of Grand Rapids and Hammer nutrition, which was located at several locations on the course. 

2009 Edition-

There were three stages for the 2009 edition.  They are as followed:
Stage White Lake.  Trekking from HQ racers will depart on carrying paddles and PFD’s.  They will trek the four miles to Covell Park and begin a paddle.  To the west lay three CP’s along the north and south sides of White Lake.  On the east racers would head up the White River for an additional CP.  One more CP was placed in the woods that would require racers to leave their boats and hike to obtain.

Stage Silver Lake.  On their bikes, racers would jump on the Hart-Montague bike trail that would lead them to Silver Lake State park.  The park is known for its miles of open sand dunes, ORV’s and scenic views of Lake Michigan.  Two CP’s were placed in the middle of the dunes, a featureless expanse on the topo maps.  Following a bearing would be the only way to obtain these CP’s.  Racers then had to follow the outline of the park to avoid off limit areas (and dune buggies) and make their way to two additional checkpoints.  Total trekking was over seven miles, however with four of it being on sand, made it a tough hike.  HEED electrolyte replacement was available at the TA bike drop.  This was a very welcome sight after being in the middle of an “oven” as how the racers described the dunes.

Stage Owasippe.  Disciplines include: Climbing wall, orienteering, mt. biking.  From HQ racers biked over to Owasippe scout camp for some of the best biking in the area.  A 40ft. climbing wall was at the start of the bike loop.  Racers had the option of climbing the wall for the Checkpoint that hung at the top.  The loop totaled nearly 15 miles of single trak riding.  About half way through the loop was the transition from biking to orienteering.  Six orienteering points were scattered throughout the park, for a total of roughly five miles of orienteering.  A single CP was placed along the bike trail but was not shown on the map.  This way, teams had to ride the entire loop to find it.  By the way, it was only ¼ mile from the finish!

With all this in mind, the racers assembled for a 9AM race briefing.  The course was explained and maps were distributed.  Soon everyone split off to their own tents, tables and vehicles to plan, pack and prepare for the start.

The race began at noon with a mass start.  Most choose to start on the Silver Lake stage, as the park would be closed from 10PM to 6AM. Only one team choose to leave on foot for the paddling stage.  Several left for Owasippe’s single trak and orienteering.  It was quiet around HQ for a few hours, as all teams were out on the course. 

Around 6PM the first teams began returning to the HQ.  They turned in their old passport and obtained a new passport for the stage they were departing on.  This continued throughout the night.  Unfortunately a few of the CP’s on the White Lake and Silver Lake stages went missing, a consequence to any race. 

The heat began to take its toll on some of the racers and you saw more racers resting at the HQ, and for longer hours.  Some teams, content with the amount they had accomplished called it a night after two stages.  Most pushed themselves to head back out on the course to finish all three stages.  Racers were seen limping around the HQ, some walking like they had been on a horse for days.  The HQ became a gathering spot for volunteers, friends and family.  There was always a story being told and heard.

The full course consisted of 18CP’s.  Four teams cleared the course, with team “Founders Brewery” – Joe Shorb and Phil Shrader- coming in the fastest.  They won INOV8 shoes and Hammer nutrition supplies for their effort.