Tim Cigelske's Staging Area

I’ve run 14 marathons, and Lakefront was my first, most recent and most frequent. I think I’ve run it 8 times or so and it’s where I have my PR. I’ve run it as a pacer, with a team and solo.

This year brought a few minor changes with the finish line extended to Summerfest, just past where it previously finished at Veteran’s park. This was a huge improvement for the better since in previous years the finish line has been muddy and wet, making it difficult for runners and spectators alike. The finish at the Summerfest grounds made for a scenic finishing chute along Lake Michigan, as well as allowed for ample entertainment on the stage. The new set-up made it feel a lot more like a legit finish line party and the logistics were greatly improved. Kudos to the race organizers for making this change to the long-standing route.

As for the route, some people might call it boring, others may call it peaceful. It’s a mix of rural and suburban and you finally get into the city along the last few miles, where the route takes you along Lake Michigan. My favorite stretch is along quiet farmer fields just before you enter Concordia University around mile 7. That’s also where you see one of the biggest cheering sections, which usually appear every few miles or so. To me, it’s a good mixture of solitude and cheering along the route.

It’s also a fast course. There are barely any inclines, with just a few minor ups and downs along the way. You end with a big downhill to the lake around mile 24.

As someone who has run huge races like Chicago and scenic but logistically challenging races like Big Sur, I really like the happy medium of Lakefront Marathon. It’s easy to get to the start, it has an intimate community feel but it’s also big enough to run with others and have fan support along the course. I may be biased as a hometown participant, but it’s one of my all-time favorite races.

The guy running next to me yelled out when he crossed the finish line:

That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done!

There’s a good chance he wasn’t exaggerating.

I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when the race invited me to participate (thanks for the entry!) in Dances with Dirt and experience the trail race for myself. She had me at Bells Brewery post-race party.

Dances with Dirt belongs to a race series that started 25 years ago in Hell, Mich. Since then, it has expanded to Indiana, Florida and my home state, Wisconsin. Quaff ON! Brewing sponsors the Green Swamp and Gnaw Bone races. Last year, Bell’s sponsored the post-race party in Hell, and this year traveled along to the other side of Lake Michigan.

“We love coming to Wisconsin, the people are great, so TOUGH!” Mandy Hetfield from the event staff told me. “It’s a very hilly course including a trip up the bluffs, but yet, no one ever complains about it. It’s just another day in the life of running for them up there!”

The race starts at the Devil’s Head ski resort in Merrimac, Wisconsin, and runs up to the bluffs of Devil’s Lake in Baraboo — one of my favorite hiking spots — with routes from 10K all the way to 50 mile. Originally I was going to try for the 50K and I signed up for that distance.

Then I read some of the brutal race reports, which included running up and down double black diamond ski hills. My training has been decent this summer, but I wasn’t ready for that level of challenge. I hope I didn’t diminish the reputation of Wisconsin runners in Mandy’s mind. I emailed her in a panic at the last minute this week asking to switch to the half marathon.

Thank God I did, because I’m not sure I could have made it another step past the finish. According to Runkeeper, this was the most elevation I’ve gained in a single run, with more than 1,700 feet. The bluffs are no joke.

Some 200 people camp out at the start and finish, but I woke up at 4:30 in the morning to make the 2-hour drive from Milwaukee. I joined about 1,400 people total in all the races.

The terrain included technical and rocky single-track trail, which slowed me down to nearly a 10-minute mile at one section. Most of the effort took place on backcountry paths, but near the middle of the route you’re rewarded with a spectacular overlook view of Devil’s Lake.

It’s also worth noting that this was one of the friendliest and chattiest racing fields I’ve been a part of. Everyone was in a good mood, even the guy I tripped over and fell on in the second mile. There’s something about spending a long time in the woods that develops an esprit de corps.

I spent a long time running with a pack of high school cross country teammates, and the old people like myself that tried to keep up. That made some of my middle miles the fastest, when I normally would have lost focus and slowed down in a race.

I finished in 1:47, more than 20 minutes slower than my half marathon PR, but good for second place in my age group. There are few races of any distance where I’ve expended more effort.
We were well compensated for the effort. Bells set up its beer garden trailer next to the finish line, where Oberon, Lager of the Lakes, Amber Ale and Two Hearted Pale Ale flowed. The party continued later on with more Bells at local pub The Barn.

The race medal also doubled as a beer bottle opener. This will be the first race medal I plan on keeping.

Afterward, I grabbed a Two Hearted and hamburger from The Barn and did my best to recover before my 2-hour drive back to Milwaukee.

I heard that it took “an act of Congress” to host a race across the scenic byways of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was well worth it.

I knew there was 1,600 feet of elevation gain in the half marathon — and double that for the full — but it was hard for me to conceive of that while training on the flatlands of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

It was as hard as it sounds. After the first mile, a steady ascent continued that didn’t let up for three miles. Brutal.

But the payoff was not only gorgeous views, but a manic descent over the next two miles. I don’t think I’ve ever let gravity carry me that far. Gravity was also largely responsible for a 5:40 mile downhill mile split.

After the quad-busting downhills, the course more or less leveled off for the rest of the way, including sections along the scenic greenway trails. I ran solo through most of these sections, but the enthusiastic army of volunteers kept me going with their cheers.

I’ve never felt so fired up at the end of the race. I sprinted the last half mile home and finished in 1:28, which was good for third place overall. I credit the pre-race Roanoke craft beer carbo loading.

Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better race day. The weather was ideal, the field was not to big and not too small, I met friendly runners like David from #RunChat, they gave me a massage and a sausage biscuit at the finish, and afterward I could partake in the local craft beer scene.