Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Ice Age Trail races.
May 2011 will be the 30th consecutive running of the Ice Age Trail 50. The race was originally conceived by Tom Ulik (an accomplished ultrarunner and first RD) and Glenn Wargolet (RD 2005-2009) back in 1981. Ultrarunning as we know it was in its infancy at the time, so the idea of a 50-mile race in the Southern Kettle Moraine Forest was “out there”, to say the least. To their great surprise, however, 99 runners entered the race – and the tradition began.
Over the years, the trails outside the tiny town of La Grange, Wisconsin have been the site of many great performances – among the elites in the sport, for sure, but also for hundreds of “mid-packers” and those who had to race just to finish under the cut-off. Right near the top – if not the top – was Canadian Andy Jones’ 1988 run. With temperatures surpassing 80 degrees, Andy ran a 5:53:41, a record that still stands 22 years later. When asked by a reporter how he was feeling at the finish, Andy replied, “I was 25 when I started, I’m 35 now.”
Since then, only three other runners have cracked the six hour mark: Dan Held (5:54:41), Eric Clifton (5:59:47) and Clement Grum (5:59:56).
On the women’s side, Ann Trason held the women’s course record – an amazing 7:04:07 – until 1995 when local ultrarunner Donna Perkins shaved seven seconds off Ann’s time, finishing in 7:04 flat.
The history of the IAT 50K is shorter (the first 50k was staged in 2000), but it too has attracted some big talent over the years. Back in 2004, Scott Creel from Bozeman, Montana ran the course in an astounding 3:14:05. Nikki Kimball set the women’s course record that same year with a 3:53:16.
And the Half Marathon? That tradition starts in 2011.
If you’ve run the trails of the Southern Kettle Moraine, you have a good idea of why the IAT50 has grown to what it is today.
This is a true trail run. Outside of a few road crossings, the 50-mile, 50k and Half Marathon courses are uniquely beautiful and challenging (Ice Age was named one of America’s most scenic runs by Trail Runner magazine a few years ago).
The Aid stations are plentiful, the course is well-marked (by ultrarunning stars
Tom Bunk and Craig Swartwout), the buckles and finisher’s awards are collectibles and the after-party is a great time to share stories over barbecue and micro brews. Add to that some of the most the wonderful volunteers around – 150 of them in all – and you can see why many runners keep coming back for 10, 15, 20 and even 25 years.
The IAT50 is also privileged once again to be the penultimate event in the prestigious Montrail Ultra Cup Series, which includes 12 of the country’s top ultramarathons, culminating with the Western States 100 in June 2011. (The top two male and female finishers in the 50-mile race will be awarded entries into the WS100.)
And Hammer Nutrition, a committed corporate supporter of the ultrarunning community, also rejoins us as a lead sponsor in 2011.
As for me, I’ve been involved with Ice Age for about 15 years, first as a volunteer, then as a runner and today as the Race Director. I’m honored to carry on the Ice Age tradition and to show off these trails to the people who appreciate them the most – trail runners.
I look forward to welcoming you to the 2011 celebration -- and congratulating you at the finish!
Jeff Mallach
P.S. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at iceage50rd@sbcglobal.net.