06/19/2026
THE ENDURING SPIRIT OF THE JACK PINE ENDURO
By Ron Hughes
This season, the Sanford Centennial Museum is revving up excitement with a new exhibit celebrating one of Michigan’s most storied and demanding motorsport traditions: the legendary Jack Pine Enduro Run. Known for decades as the “Cowbell Classic,” this off road endurance race once stretched 500 miles across rugged terrain, dense forests, and rural communities—including Sanford itself. Harley Davidson famously hailed it as “the world’s toughest endurance race,” a reputation earned through nearly a century of mud, grit, and unrelenting determination.
The museum’s exhibit brings this history vividly to life. Visitors are greeted with original Harley Davidson post race posters—bold, time worn pieces that capture the raw spirit of the event. These posters reflect an era when endurance racing was as much a test of character as of machinery, setting the tone for an exhibit that blends nostalgia with a deep appreciation for Michigan’s motorsport heritage.
A centerpiece of the display is a remarkable collection of personal memorabilia from two time Jack Pine champion Ted Konecny. A Saginaw native, Konecny earned his place among the race’s elite through perseverance and skill. His racing gear, photographs, and trophies offer an intimate look at the life of a competitor who not only survived the Jack Pine but mastered it. Through these artifacts, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for the physical and mental endurance required to conquer Michigan’s unforgiving backcountry.
Adding to the exhibit’s authenticity is a vintage Matchless motorcycle—an iron workhorse that competed in the Jack Pine multiple times. Its weathered frame and battle scarred components tell their own story. Every dent and scratch speaks to punishing miles endured across mud soaked trails, rocky climbs, and dense forest paths. It stands as a testament to the machines and riders who pushed themselves to the limit in pursuit of a perfect score.
This historical collection was generously provided by Ted Konecny, Bill Ricards, Gene Payne, Ken Ross, and Dennis Tomzack. Visitors can also view the documentary Jack Pine Enduro: Cow Bell Classic, which offers additional insight into the race’s evolution and cultural impact.
The Sanford Centennial Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. More information is available at sanfordhist.org.
A Race Carved Into Michigan History
The Jack Pine Enduro began in 1923 under the direction of the Lansing Motorcycle Club. In its earliest years, the race stretched up to 800 miles over three days, challenging riders with mud, rivers, swamps, rocks, and the unpredictable temperament of Michigan weather. Eventually, the event settled into a 500 mile, two day format that remained its hallmark for decades.
The race paused only during World War II, from 1942 to 1946, but quickly regained its reputation as one of the most formidable off road events in the country once it resumed. In 1969, the Lansing Motorcycle Club purchased 60 acres in Moorestown, Michigan, establishing a dedicated racetrack and lodge. Today’s Jack Pine covers roughly 80 miles on that site, continuing the tradition of rugged, technical riding that has defined the event for more than a century.
The Michigan Historical Commission recently approved the installation of a historical marker honoring the Jack Pine Enduro. The two post marker, featuring different text on each side, will be placed on the grounds of the Sanford Centennial Museum campus this summer. The project was spearheaded by Bill Ricards, with funding provided by a grant from the Midland Area Community Foundation. Special recognition goes to Sanford Village President Dolores Porte for her expertise in navigating the grant application process.
Looking ahead, the 2026 Jack Pine Enduro—part of the AMA District 14 series—is scheduled for August 16, 2026. This 100th anniversary running stands as one of the oldest off road races in the United States. Riders will once again face challenging trails, primitive camping, and the pursuit of the traditional cowbell trophy.
A Legacy Built on Grit
The Jack Pine’s origins are closely tied to Oscar C. Lenz of the Lansing Motorcycle Club, who organized the inaugural 1923 event. That first race was a monumental three day, 800 mile challenge that tested riders in ways few competitions could match. It was later refined into the 500 mile, two day format that endured into the 1960s.
Riders began with 1,000 points, navigating known and secret checkpoints. Arriving early or late meant penalties, and the competitor closest to a perfect score claimed victory. The motorcycles of the era were stripped down street bikes—heavy, rigid, and built for survival rather than comfort. Simply finishing the Jack Pine was an accomplishment.
Lenz won the race seven times between 1923 and 1936 before shifting to course design. Mapping the route took him two weeks of long days, testing each segment mile by mile. His meticulous approach ensured the race remained a true test of endurance and skill.
More Than a Race
The Jack Pine Enduro is more than a competition—it is a testament to endurance, ingenuity, and the riders who dared to pit themselves and their machines against Michigan’s wild terrain. Its legacy lives on in trophies, photographs, and the stories still told wherever motorcycle history is cherished.
Special thanks for materials supplied for this article by Jessica Billingsley, Kendra Anderson, and Bill Ricards. This article was featured in the May issue of Thunder Roads Magazine of Michigan .
