International Outhouse Races return to Mackinaw City

Karly Graham, The Petoskey News-Review
·1 min read
"The Runs" crosses the finish line after their second run at the March 4, 2023 Outhouse Races. The team ended as the overall winners with a combined time of 73.96 seconds across three races.
"The Runs" crosses the finish line after their second run at the March 4, 2023 Outhouse Races. The team ended as the overall winners with a combined time of 73.96 seconds across three races.

MACKINAW CITY — On Saturday afternoon, hundreds filed into the parking lot of the Shepler's Ferry launch. Instead of hopping onto a boat, they lined up along two lanes of piled snow, preparing for the 2023 Outhouse Race.

Six different "outhouses" raced on March 4, the winning team taking home a $500 purse.

Each outhouse had to be around 4-feet-by-4-feet-by-6-feet on skis. The outhouses are required to have a toilet seat and toilet paper.

During the races March 4, 2023, the "Thunder Box" team's outhouse slid off the track more than once. The team was made up of Mason Dewyre, 17; Ryan Huffman, 17; Dylan Layman, 18; Sam Mayer, 17; and Evan Perreault, 18.
During the races March 4, 2023, the "Thunder Box" team's outhouse slid off the track more than once. The team was made up of Mason Dewyre, 17; Ryan Huffman, 17; Dylan Layman, 18; Sam Mayer, 17; and Evan Perreault, 18.
The rider in the "Mighty Huron" outhouse waves at the crowd from their make-shift restroom. Each team had five participants, two in front of the float, two behind, and one rider.
The rider in the "Mighty Huron" outhouse waves at the crowd from their make-shift restroom. Each team had five participants, two in front of the float, two behind, and one rider.

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More:PHOTOS: 2023 Mackinaw City Outhouse Races

The teams are made up of five members, including four who push or pull the outhouse, and one rider who sits on the float.

"The Runs," pushing a brown boat-shaped outhouse, won the race. Their combined time was 73.96 seconds across three races. Their second race was the fastest time of the day, clocking in at 23.15 seconds.

"O2 Mobile Unite" ended in third place during the races. The team was made up of Jeff Prater, Ryan Johnson, Mike Schwedt, Ron Urkuski and Todd Vandenbrink.
"O2 Mobile Unite" ended in third place during the races. The team was made up of Jeff Prater, Ryan Johnson, Mike Schwedt, Ron Urkuski and Todd Vandenbrink.
The second-place winning "Let's Scatt to It" team poses with their "outhouse" after the race March 4, 2023.
The second-place winning "Let's Scatt to It" team poses with their "outhouse" after the race March 4, 2023.

"Let's Scat To It" ended in second place with a combined time of 76.77 seconds. Their fastest time was their first race at 24.68 seconds.

"02 Mobile" ended in third, with a three-race time of 83.7 seconds.

"The Mighty Huron", "Thunderbox" and "S- - -s and Giggles" did not place.

— Contact education reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN. 

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: International Outhouse Races return to Mackinaw City