This was my second year participating in this event. I enjoyed my experience so much last year that I couldn't wait to come back again. This is a small(ish) local … MORE
This was my second year participating in this event. I enjoyed my experience so much last year that I couldn’t wait to come back again. This is a small(ish) local trail event held in a Wisconsin State Park Trail. There are options to complete a 50K, 30K or 10K event.
Start Area/Swag/Organization:
Because this event is held on a state park trail, vehicle admission stickers are required. You can purchase a day pass or an annual pass through the Wisconsin DNR website ahead of time, but they are also selling them on site the morning of the race. Packet pick up is also held the morning of the event. Participants can decide to run a 50K, 30K or 10K event. Each event has a different start time which makes for a simple and easy packet pick up experience and eliminates any possibility of bottlenecks on the trail. Each runner gets a race shirt (regular cotton fabric vs moisture wicking), several samples of Hammer Nutrition products (my personal favorite), a collapsible cup if needed (the race is cupless) and a finisher medallion at the end.
Course:
The course is a 10k loop through the trail. As the race website states, it is ‘not a PR course.’ Trail shoes are a must. Trek poles are not necessary, but there were some participants using those as well. Approximately 1.25-1.5 miles of the course is single track switchback trail with the remainder of the course being ‘regular’ trail. The 50k runners start at 7am, the 30k’ers at 8 and the 10k’ers at 9. Additionally, runners switch directions every loop. I personally like that format because it breaks up the course mentally. There is a single aid station at the start/finish area that is stocked with your typical ultra staples: water, Heed sports drink, a variety of sandwiches, fruit, snacks, ect. Runners are also allowed to bring a drop bag for any personal items s/he may want. You are asked to check in at the aid station after each loop so that volunteers can keep track of each participant.
Finish:
The finish area is held in the same area as the start. This is a manually timed event, so participants need to check in with the volunteers to get their time and their finish medallion. The finish area is my absolute favorite part of this event! As anyone who has participated in trail events can attest, the atmosphere is extremely laid back and friendly. They are grilling post-race meals for the participants (with a vegetarian option!!), and they have more snacks available along with pop, beer and sports drink. Since this is held in a state park, there are plenty of picnic tables around, and a lot of folks bring their own chairs to set up an area and cheer on the runners as they finish. I really appreciate the low-key yet welcoming vibe of the finish area at this event.
Overall:
This event is a great way to kick of Memorial Day weekend. Its noncompetitive and friendly vibe is welcoming to all participants, and it is a great opportunity to try out a trail event if you’ve never signed up for one. Although the course is challenging, it is also very rewarding, and the entire participant experience from start to finish is pleasant and welcoming. Kudos to the good people who host this every year!
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Chill and Welcoming Trail Event
This was my second year participating in this event. I enjoyed my experience so much last year that I couldn't wait to come back again. This is a small(ish) local … MORE
This was my second year participating in this event. I enjoyed my experience so much last year that I couldn’t wait to come back again. This is a small(ish) local trail event held in a Wisconsin State Park Trail. There are options to complete a 50K, 30K or 10K event.
Start Area/Swag/Organization:
Because this event is held on a state park trail, vehicle admission stickers are required. You can purchase a day pass or an annual pass through the Wisconsin DNR website ahead of time, but they are also selling them on site the morning of the race. Packet pick up is also held the morning of the event. Participants can decide to run a 50K, 30K or 10K event. Each event has a different start time which makes for a simple and easy packet pick up experience and eliminates any possibility of bottlenecks on the trail. Each runner gets a race shirt (regular cotton fabric vs moisture wicking), several samples of Hammer Nutrition products (my personal favorite), a collapsible cup if needed (the race is cupless) and a finisher medallion at the end.
Course:
The course is a 10k loop through the trail. As the race website states, it is ‘not a PR course.’ Trail shoes are a must. Trek poles are not necessary, but there were some participants using those as well. Approximately 1.25-1.5 miles of the course is single track switchback trail with the remainder of the course being ‘regular’ trail. The 50k runners start at 7am, the 30k’ers at 8 and the 10k’ers at 9. Additionally, runners switch directions every loop. I personally like that format because it breaks up the course mentally. There is a single aid station at the start/finish area that is stocked with your typical ultra staples: water, Heed sports drink, a variety of sandwiches, fruit, snacks, ect. Runners are also allowed to bring a drop bag for any personal items s/he may want. You are asked to check in at the aid station after each loop so that volunteers can keep track of each participant.
Finish:
The finish area is held in the same area as the start. This is a manually timed event, so participants need to check in with the volunteers to get their time and their finish medallion. The finish area is my absolute favorite part of this event! As anyone who has participated in trail events can attest, the atmosphere is extremely laid back and friendly. They are grilling post-race meals for the participants (with a vegetarian option!!), and they have more snacks available along with pop, beer and sports drink. Since this is held in a state park, there are plenty of picnic tables around, and a lot of folks bring their own chairs to set up an area and cheer on the runners as they finish. I really appreciate the low-key yet welcoming vibe of the finish area at this event.
Overall:
This event is a great way to kick of Memorial Day weekend. Its noncompetitive and friendly vibe is welcoming to all participants, and it is a great opportunity to try out a trail event if you’ve never signed up for one. Although the course is challenging, it is also very rewarding, and the entire participant experience from start to finish is pleasant and welcoming. Kudos to the good people who host this every year!