50 K & Relay Overview

The 50 K runs begin very close to the finish area. To calibrate the distance to exactly 50 K, Tom Bunk (Trail Marking and Race Course Management), measures and re-measures distances and subtle changes are continuously made to the 50 K race course to adjust for trail rerouting that takes place during the year. For simplicity, the 50 K race course can be broken into two basic sections.

Section 1 is an out to AS 9 (Horserider's Camp) and back to the finish area at the Nordic. Section 1 is also the first leg of the 50 K relay. Your run on the Nordic Trail is short at only 1.6 miles to AS 3. From AS 3 you cross Bluff road running up the horse trails for .5 miles until you reach Confusion Corner. Once you reach Confusion Corner you continue on the Ice Age Trail by going straight across the horse trail. Look for the Ice Age Trail markets (yellow painted rectangles on trees). You are on a high esker with nice views to your left and on your way to AS 8 and a visit with Jeff Weiss and his crew.

From AS 8 you begin your climb of Indian Signal Hill (Bald Bluff on the map) to the highest point on the course. Just last year, the Bureau of Endangered Resources, The Kettle Moraine Natural History Association and the Wisconsin DNR embarked on a restoration project at the summit. Once at the top enjoy the view and the significance of this Native American spiritual site that (according to settler accounts in the mid-1800's) attracted Native American peoples from as far away as Illinois and other Wisconsin areas. The very trails you run are the trails used by earlier peoples traveling to this site for centuries.

The terrain from AS 8 to AS 9 is constantly changing. Expect narrow, single track winding up and over hill after hill until you finally reach AS 9. There are some flats; but, they are few and far between. At AS 9, appreciate the hard work by Franny Keyes and other seasoned Ice Age veterans who man this critical aid station. This is your turnaround and you begin your trek back to the finish line at the Nordic Trail for a total of 13 miles.

Section 2 is two laps of the Nordic Trail.This is the second leg of the 50 K. Designed as a cross country ski trail, this 17.8 mile section is two loops of the outer trail (Blue Loop - highlighted in green below). Referring to the race map, you are running in a counterclockwise direction from AS 2 passing by AS 1 just off Tamarack Road and running by AS 3 and returning to AS 2 at the Finish for the 8.9 miles. Enjoy Captain Grant Nelson and his team at AS 3, Dick Flayter at AS 2 and his aid station volunteers and Gene Goetz and gang at AS 1.

Enjoy your run on the Nordic Trail. The trails are very wide and scenic. This 8.9 mile loop is very representative of the glacial topography and natural diversity that you can expect in the Kettle Moraine. As a cross country ski trail, it provides every type of terrain imaginable for skiing.

The trail or tread on the Nordic is very runnable. There will be sections in the pines and meadows that you will want to develop some speed. Easy on the feet, joints and with towering trees all around, you are preparing yourself for a great race. Many areas that were rocky have been wood chipped over to help skiers save their equipment.