I chose this race because the venue looked great and the date fit my schedule. I chose the 7:00 a.m. 50K because this was my first ultra in six months … MORE
I chose this race because the venue looked great and the date fit my schedule. I chose the 7:00 a.m. 50K because this was my first ultra in six months and I had a feeling it would be enough (which proved correct). I stayed at the historic Garst farmhouse in the Conservancy, which offers rooms at a very reasonable price.
Plan on carrying some food, as the Red and White loops do not have any other aid stations, just a table with water partway into each. The Blue loop has a fully stocked aid station about halfway through, and as it also runs through downtown Coon Rapids, you can stop there for anything you need.
The day couldn’t have been better – mostly sunny with temps reaching about 75. Unusual, I was told, as it can be in the 90s in Iowa in July. The course is mostly singletrack, with a little bit on paved trail and some farmland and prairie. We even ran though some herds of cattle! And the views at the tops of the ridges can be spectacular.
I ran the Red loop aggressively while temps were cool, then steady through the rolling White loop terrain, and picked it up once more on Blue. Midway through Blue, fatigue, the sun, and not drinking enough water caught up with me. I spent several minutes recovering at the aid station, and then found out that the final six miles contained tough climb after tough climb, turning what had been a smooth performance into a just-get-through-it grind to the finish, and missing my sub-six hour goal by five minutes. Still, I finished in the top quarter of the field, and third Masters. Not bad for a long layoff from ultras!
Pros of this race: Just about everything – the scenery and runnable trails, the hot and cold food options at River House base camp, the race organization, and the laid-back, positive atmosphere of the runners, many of whom have run this course several times. Coon Rapids is a picturesque typical Midwest small town, with Chuck’s Bar & Grill providing good food that’s also inexpensive. The town was fun to explore on my shakeout run the night before and run through on race day.
No real cons, just some cautions. This part of Iowa is NOT flat. The elevation gain of around 3,000 feet doesn’t seem intimidating, but it felt like more, and the nearly continuous up and down of the White loop will take more out of you than you think. And carry enough water. The Blue loop sucked me dry, and I can only imagine what it’s like at 90 degrees.
Overall – do this race!
Please login to reply to this review.
Loved this race
I chose this race because the venue looked great and the date fit my schedule. I chose the 7:00 a.m. 50K because this was my first ultra in six months … MORE
I chose this race because the venue looked great and the date fit my schedule. I chose the 7:00 a.m. 50K because this was my first ultra in six months and I had a feeling it would be enough (which proved correct). I stayed at the historic Garst farmhouse in the Conservancy, which offers rooms at a very reasonable price.
Plan on carrying some food, as the Red and White loops do not have any other aid stations, just a table with water partway into each. The Blue loop has a fully stocked aid station about halfway through, and as it also runs through downtown Coon Rapids, you can stop there for anything you need.
The day couldn’t have been better – mostly sunny with temps reaching about 75. Unusual, I was told, as it can be in the 90s in Iowa in July. The course is mostly singletrack, with a little bit on paved trail and some farmland and prairie. We even ran though some herds of cattle! And the views at the tops of the ridges can be spectacular.
I ran the Red loop aggressively while temps were cool, then steady through the rolling White loop terrain, and picked it up once more on Blue. Midway through Blue, fatigue, the sun, and not drinking enough water caught up with me. I spent several minutes recovering at the aid station, and then found out that the final six miles contained tough climb after tough climb, turning what had been a smooth performance into a just-get-through-it grind to the finish, and missing my sub-six hour goal by five minutes. Still, I finished in the top quarter of the field, and third Masters. Not bad for a long layoff from ultras!
Pros of this race: Just about everything – the scenery and runnable trails, the hot and cold food options at River House base camp, the race organization, and the laid-back, positive atmosphere of the runners, many of whom have run this course several times. Coon Rapids is a picturesque typical Midwest small town, with Chuck’s Bar & Grill providing good food that’s also inexpensive. The town was fun to explore on my shakeout run the night before and run through on race day.
No real cons, just some cautions. This part of Iowa is NOT flat. The elevation gain of around 3,000 feet doesn’t seem intimidating, but it felt like more, and the nearly continuous up and down of the White loop will take more out of you than you think. And carry enough water. The Blue loop sucked me dry, and I can only imagine what it’s like at 90 degrees.
Overall – do this race!
Challenging midwest ultramarathon
This race consisted of three loops that all began and ended at a central point that had a well-stocked aid station. The first loop was mostly single track that meandered … MORE
This race consisted of three loops that all began and ended at a central point that had a well-stocked aid station. The first loop was mostly single track that meandered through lush woods. This was probably the hilliest an most difficult section. The second loop traveled through more open country which was more exposed. The third loop also was more exposed and went through the town of Coon Rapids, then a long, long climb over the last three miles which finally dropped down to the finish. This race really wiped me out. I’m not sure if it was the heat or the hills or a combination of both. It was a well organized race though, and the finisher awards were unique plaques made out of weathered barnwood. They also gave out waterproof drop bags and I received one even though I registered at the last minute.