Emergency Plan
Lumberjack 100 Emergency Plan:
Our number one priority is the safety and wellbeing of our racers, spectators, volunteers and staff. While we can’t completely remove all risks associated with a mountain biking event, our goal is to be prepared for any situation and have a protocol in place that guides our decisions and action for dealing with an emergency. The following plan is in place to instruct participants, volunteers, and spectators to the people who should be contacted if assistance is needed during the event. You will also have an emergency sticker on the back of your number plate with race director phone numbers and emergency information.
Event Authority and changes to published event plans:
The Race Director(s) along with designated “race officials” reserve the exclusive right to delay, re-route, pause, neutralize, or cancel the event at any time due to severe weather, unforeseen and uncontrollable natural events and outside factors that create a safety issue in any aspect of the event. These decisions are made in the best interest of those involved directly or indirectly and to protect the welfare of everyone, including; racers, race staff, timing team, spectators and volunteers. Additionally, if a decision is made to continue the event, the decision to continue participating in any capacity of the event rests with the individual based on their level of feeling safe.
Event Participants Including; Riders, Volunteers, Spectators & General Public - Responsibility for Self.
The Lumberjack 100 takes place in the expansive national forest with many miles between access points. While our team works with the NFS, local fire, and emergency medical services to create a safe racing environment, we are limited by our ability to anticipate and quickly access emergency situations. Please remember safety is everyone's responsibility.
By joining us as a rider, volunteer, or spectator, you acknowledge that this event involves inherent risks like trees, roots, fast descents as well as forest and weather that we cannot fully control. Please stay alert and take full responsibility for your own well-being and navigation while enjoying the race.
Race Emergency Protocol:
Should you or another racer have an on-course emergency and need medical assistance or evacuation use your cell phone and dial or text 911. Refer to your map to guide location or if you have cell service, “share your location”. Service is undependable in the forest, so as a backup, use TEXT to communicate. After 911 has been called, please notify Race Directors; Scott TenCate – (616)292-2395 or Matt Acker – (517)214-2606
Should there be a non-life-threatening emergency, contact race directors or make your way to a trail post with number, closest seasonal road, halfway aid station or the finish line area. We can arrange a pickup and will have EMT’s on location at the finish line area should you need medical attention.
Pre-Race Emergency & Safety Communication:
In the event of an emergency, weather situation, race delay or cancellation, the primary means of communicating critical information will be through;
1. Cell phone and text to; racers, volunteers, key event stakeholders
2. Announcements over PA system and verbally through on course representatives, volunteers and emergency personnel
Pre-Race Severe Weather:
In the event of SEVERE WEATHER prior to start of the race, racers will be notified by text if the race will be delayed, postponed or canceled. Should we experience severe weather during the start of the race, please take shelter in the closest building or remain in your vehicle.
Pre-Race Medical Attention:
Should you need medical attention prior to the race, we’ll have an EMT located at the finish arch to handle minor injuries. If it is life threatening, call or text 911
During Race Emergency & Safety Communication:
In the event of an emergency or weather situation, while the race is in progress, we’ll notify riders with important information via;
1. Cell phone and text to racers, volunteers and key event stakeholders
2. Verbally through on course representatives such as Aid station volunteers and emergency personnel
Please note that depending on the situation, the race may be neutralized or canceled.
During Race Severe Weather:
Should there be severe weather in the Wellston area during the race, we will notify racers and volunteers through text communication with details. Please take cover wherever possible including homes, low areas along the course or vehicles. The race organizers may neutralize or stop the race competition for the safety and wellbeing of the participants and volunteers. If emergency sirens go off, seek shelter immediately.
During Race Medical Support:
Life-threatening or severe injury or accident; Riders are instructed to call or text 911 and provide the location of the incident. As there are many locations on the course with zero or limited cell service, racers are instructed to contact 911 through texting service. In the event of rider transport to a hospital, event personnel will communicate with the rider’s emergency contact and provide information on the rider’s location and personal belongings.
Non-life-threatening injury or accident:
Racer will be offered the option to call an ambulance or be transported by race personnel back to their car. The rider, bike and personal belongings will be taken back to the start area for medical attention or assistance from their support crew.
Incident preparation and response:
In an effort to respond to on course medical situations as quickly as possible, we have identified access points to each section of trail and created a plan for responding to each access point. (refer to map). The map will provide access points and an action plan to efficiently get to a racer at any particular point; VIA; walking, riding, e-bike, quad, car, ambulance or other means.
EMT’s will be positioned at the start / finish infield and the halfway aid station.
Local fire will also stage an emergency quad at the finish line area for emergency access and extraction.
Excessive heat, humidity & dew point action plan:
Everyone’s body handles high temperatures and humidity differently. It is the racers responsibility to understand their body’s vulnerabilities and prepare for their race day with ample hydration, ice, cold towels…. and have their support personnel help make decisions in the racer’s best interest. Additionally, should temperatures be forecasted to be above 90 degrees and dew points above 68, the event staff will plan to have excess water and hydration for racers. They will also work with local fire departments to have a pump truck and water bladder available for racers to “shower” and cool off.
Racer medical situation and emergency contact:
In the event of a racer medical situation during the race, event staff will provide medical attention and determine the best action plan for extraction from walking out a racer to a quad extraction with backboard. Depending on the extent of a racer’s injury, they will be offered an ambulance or ride to the finish area or driven to the hospital. The racer’s emergency contact will be informed immediately of the racer’s condition and medical facility where they’re receiving medical attention. Any personal belongings will be maintained by the event and pick up coordinated with family.
DNF Reporting
All participants need to be accounted for! Should you leave the course, race or competition at any point, please contact race timing by texting 616-419-8315
with DNF and your name and BIB #
Race Day Contacts:
-Race Director: Matt Acker, 517-214-2606
-Race Director: Scott TenCate, 616-292-2395
-½ way Aid Station: Jenny Acker, 616-780-2794
-NFS – Reese Borlin, 231-655-3481
-EMT #1 TBD
-EMT #2 TBD
-Manistee Sheriff: Brian Gutowski, 231-723-8393
-Fire & Rescue, Stronach Township, 231 723-7983
-Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital, (231) 398-1000
1465 E Parkdale Ave, Manistee, MI 49660
20 miles from Big M = 24-minute drive