Overall Rating: One of the top 3 races I have participated in. Course Difficulty: This course was hard for me, but I was there for the hills, and was not … MORE
Overall Rating: One of the top 3 races I have participated in.
Course Difficulty: This course was hard for me, but I was there for the hills, and was not disappointed. As a true flat-lander I needed to see where I was on hill climbing for an upcoming 100 miler and with about 4200 feet of ascent and descent over 50k this was a good place. The trail was a double 15.5-mile loop composed of some very runnable portions and some moderately technical portions. No water crossings this year, but certainly could be if it rained. In over 30 ultras, I have not been on a course with this much constant elevation change…it was a really good challenge. There were 300ish runners that started in the 50k, and it never felt crowded.
Course scenery: Old growth prairie, forest, and plenty of time along the River.
Race Production: Outstanding!
Pre-race communication was thorough and given with plenty of time to make any necessary adjustments. The only thing that didn’t seem to go perfect was packet pick up on race morning which started about 5 minutes late due to having to set up (this is a non-issue, the team that was working on it – roughly 20 people – acknowledged us and let us know what was happening) actual pick up took about 2 min after that. There were plenty of port-a-jon’s at the start finish, so even with a lot of people, there was no waiting. The race started on time with some words from RD John Storkamp; there was a one hour staggered start between the 50k and the 25k, and I only saw about 10 of the 25k folks (who were super-fast) while I was on the first loop. The trail was marked as well as any race I have done, with officials at the major interchanges to give direction – I never felt like I was lost or confused. The aid stations and volunteers were awesome! Times were posted immediately.
Race Swag: Good. Custom running hat and finishers woodallion.
My Performance: Ok. As a flatlander I expect to struggle on hills. During my normal long runs, it is common to get less than 500′ of elevation change in 25 miles. I got the first loop done in a little over three hours, but my heart(rate) was acting up and my stomach felt really sick, and then the leg cramps…for miles. I decided to walk, and my heart got lined out, but the gut never really felt better and for the first time in a while, after the race I was actually on the ground with full on calf and foot cramps while trying to take off my shoes. I ended up walking most of the second loop but met some wonderful people who were good company. I ended up further down in the field than usual but got what I came for…challenging hills.
Final notes: This course is unique, and the army of volunteers is really impressive. I had heard rumors that once you ran a “John Storkamp” race, it would spoil you forever, and this is true. He is an outstanding RD! Coming from a culture and part of the country where running is still an outlier sport, I am always surprised at the depth and longevity of the Minnesota running community; there are just so many really good, very experienced, super nice runners.
I cannot recommend this race enough. If you are looking for a challenging but very enjoyable run, go and do this race! You will find your quads burning and then crying, and your calves cramping, but you will smile the whole time.
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Outstanding Race!!!
Overall Rating: One of the top 3 races I have participated in. Course Difficulty: This course was hard for me, but I was there for the hills, and was not … MORE
Overall Rating: One of the top 3 races I have participated in.
Course Difficulty: This course was hard for me, but I was there for the hills, and was not disappointed. As a true flat-lander I needed to see where I was on hill climbing for an upcoming 100 miler and with about 4200 feet of ascent and descent over 50k this was a good place. The trail was a double 15.5-mile loop composed of some very runnable portions and some moderately technical portions. No water crossings this year, but certainly could be if it rained. In over 30 ultras, I have not been on a course with this much constant elevation change…it was a really good challenge. There were 300ish runners that started in the 50k, and it never felt crowded.
Course scenery: Old growth prairie, forest, and plenty of time along the River.
Race Production: Outstanding!
Pre-race communication was thorough and given with plenty of time to make any necessary adjustments. The only thing that didn’t seem to go perfect was packet pick up on race morning which started about 5 minutes late due to having to set up (this is a non-issue, the team that was working on it – roughly 20 people – acknowledged us and let us know what was happening) actual pick up took about 2 min after that. There were plenty of port-a-jon’s at the start finish, so even with a lot of people, there was no waiting. The race started on time with some words from RD John Storkamp; there was a one hour staggered start between the 50k and the 25k, and I only saw about 10 of the 25k folks (who were super-fast) while I was on the first loop. The trail was marked as well as any race I have done, with officials at the major interchanges to give direction – I never felt like I was lost or confused. The aid stations and volunteers were awesome! Times were posted immediately.
Race Swag: Good. Custom running hat and finishers woodallion.
My Performance: Ok. As a flatlander I expect to struggle on hills. During my normal long runs, it is common to get less than 500′ of elevation change in 25 miles. I got the first loop done in a little over three hours, but my heart(rate) was acting up and my stomach felt really sick, and then the leg cramps…for miles. I decided to walk, and my heart got lined out, but the gut never really felt better and for the first time in a while, after the race I was actually on the ground with full on calf and foot cramps while trying to take off my shoes. I ended up walking most of the second loop but met some wonderful people who were good company. I ended up further down in the field than usual but got what I came for…challenging hills.
Final notes: This course is unique, and the army of volunteers is really impressive. I had heard rumors that once you ran a “John Storkamp” race, it would spoil you forever, and this is true. He is an outstanding RD! Coming from a culture and part of the country where running is still an outlier sport, I am always surprised at the depth and longevity of the Minnesota running community; there are just so many really good, very experienced, super nice runners.
I cannot recommend this race enough. If you are looking for a challenging but very enjoyable run, go and do this race! You will find your quads burning and then crying, and your calves cramping, but you will smile the whole time.