By Denise Fletcher
WEST BRANCH – The Jack Pine Run, a 500-mile endurance race coming through West Branch as a stop-over for the men and women doing the motorcycle race ended in 1968.
The race started in Lansing, Michigan and went to West Branch then back to Lansing. West Branch was a stop-over spot for 40 years, the race brought in a large amount of revenue for the local businesses, some say as much as $20,000 for 2 days.
The race was grueling through rivers, woods, mud, and over rocks. Then just for some entertainment for the crowds, Mother Nature would send rain.
The beginning of the race can be traced to the roots of the 1920s after the formation of Lansing motorcycle club. Due to an increase of motorcycle popularity among American GI’s coming back from war the numbers quickly swelled in 1923. The club held the first official Jack Pine Endurance run which started out three days and 800 miles off road. Because of the popularity, the club had to reduce the 800 miles to 500.
After riding 500 miles under these horrendous conditions the winner received the sacred cowbell, but no cash. What no cash? These rough and tough riders never cared about money, the cowbell was enough. Later, the club finally added an actual trophy.
