The Nain Rouge, French for red dwarf or red gnome, is a
mythical creature that haunts Detroit, Michigan. Its
appearance is said to presage terrible events for the city.
The Nain Rouge appears as a small child-like creature
with red or black fur. It is also said to have "blazing red
eyes and rotten teeth."
The creature is said to have been attacked in 1701 by the
first settler of Detroit, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac,
who soon after lost his fortune. The creature is also said
to have appeared in 1763 before the Battle of Bloody Run
where 59 British soldiers were killed by Chief Pontiac's
Indians.
Famous multiple sighting occurred in the days before the
1805 fire which destroyed most of Detroit. Gen William
Hull reported a "dwarf attack" in the fog just before his
surrender of Detroit in the War of 1812.
A woman claimed to have been attacked in 1884, and described the creature as
resembling, "a baboon with a horned head...brilliant restless eyes and a devilish leer on
its face." Another attack was reported in 1964.
Other sightings include the day before the 12th Street Riot in 1967 and before a huge
snow/ice storm of March 1976, when two utility workers are said to have seen what they
thought was a child climbing a utility pole which then jumped from the top of the pole and
ran away as they approached.
The Nain Rouge is the archnemesis of Pierre Livernois , the Spirit of Detroit. Livernois has
been seen working to repair the damage inflicted by the Nain Rouge.
So, come September, we expect everyone to have a great time but PLEASE... beware, the
Nain Rouge will be lurking. Only YOU can protect you...watch your step.
The Legend of the Nain Rouge
© Watters Perfomance Enhancement 2005. All rights reserved.
Without support from the following,
The Spirit of Detroit would not be
possible. Please thank them with
your continued support of their
products and services.
Race Summary:
Date: September 20, 2008
Starting location in Detroit, MI:
Belle Isle
Check-in Time: 6 – 7 AM
Pre-Race Meeting: 7:30 AM
Race Start: 8 AM
Race Cutoff: 4 PM
Prizes and awards: 5:00 PM
Duration: 8 hour cutoff
Race Details:
Team divisions: two person
male, female and coed
Age restrictions: Minors are
required to have a signed waiver
and
participants under 16 must race
with an adult
Disciplines: Mandatory run and
bike; Optional rollerblading
section; Mystery
events; Fixed Ropes
Race Finish: Live band, Shady
Drive, will be playing old and new
rock and roll favs.
*if you don't see it on the list, but
you think you may need it, BRING
IT! If you're racing and you need
it, but don't have it, you're out of
luck...
Required gear:
-Bike, helmet, and gloves
-Bike repair kit, pump and spare
tubes
-Cell phone with a waterproof
case, two Ziploc bags are fine
-Medical kit
-Compass
-Map case
-Hydration pack
Recommended gear:
-Money
-Long sleeve synthetic shirt
-Synthetic pants
-Sunscreen
-Food
What to Expect in our Urban Adventure Race
Consider this a scavenger hunt on steroids. We'll take you through some of the great
sights and sounds of downtown Detroit by every imaginable MANUAL mode of travel... no
relying on HEMI horsepower here, YOU provide the ponies.
Expect to trek, scooter, blade and bike through the Motor City while completing tasks and
obtaining CP information along way. This will be the first Adventure Race of any kind in the
"D", we plan on making in memorable!
A portion of this events proceeds will benefit the Detroit Police Athletic League.
For more information, or to register online for The Spirit of Detroit, go here. If you'd rather
register the old fashioned way, download the forms and mail them to us
