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Wisconsin > Elroy Tunnel Trails Half Marathon
Elroy, WI
Date
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Event
Details
Part of the Apple Dumpling Days festival, held every year on the first
Saturday after Labor Day in the scenic town of Elroy,
Wisconsin, the Elroy Lions Club staged its first-ever Tunnel Trails
races in 2007, with a 5K run/walk and a kids fun run last year, and are
adding the event's first-ever half marathon for 2008. Elroy is the
center of three
abandoned railroad beds that have all been converted to bike trails.
These three trails are the Juneau County Omaha Trail, the Elroy-Sparta
Trail, and the 400 Trail.
The trails provide a good running surface, a
nice amount of shade, and great scenery for the runners. All runners
will receive a race T-shirt, a free apple-dumpling, medals for the top
finishers, as well as refreshments (water, sports drink, soda) at the
end of the race.This half marathon is unique in that it uses three
different bike trails and features a fascinating tunnel. The race
begins in the charming village of Hustler, Wisconsin.
All runners will board buses at the Elroy City Park at 8:00 AM and head
to
Hustler, arriving there by around 8:30 for the race start at 9:00 AM.
Shortly after the start of the race, participants will enter the
peaceful and secluded Juneau County Omaha Trail, heading south towards
Elroy for about 10 miles. Runners will pass through the tunnel after
about three miles of the run.
Built in 1876, the tunnel is 875 feet long and is preceded by a gradual
incline up to its entrance, as well as a gradual
decline afterwards. If necessary, organizers will add lighting to help
ensure safety, but the runners should use precaution and good judgment
while running in the tunnel. Upon entering Elroy, the course will take
a short wind through Kimball Avenue and then a one-mile trek on County
PP. There, the runners will take the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail into
Elroy, pick up the 400 Trail, and enter the Elroy City Park for the
finish line.
When on the course, runners should remember that they will encounter
some
bicycle traffic along the way, so they'll need to take precautions as
needed. Water and sports drink will be provided at regular intervals (1
– 2 miles) and cookies/energy bars will be provided during
the last three miles.
Race
Weather & Climate
Late summer-early fall weather conditions in the Elroy area, located in
the central part of the state, tend to be mild to moderately cool with
fairly plentiful rainfall. In September, average monthly temperatures
for the area range between 71°F and 47°F, while
rainfall amounts average around 3.77 inches for the month.
Fees
$35 if registered by August 25, 2008
$40 on the day of the race
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2008 running of the Elroy Tunnel Trails
Half Marathon, print out and mail in this downloadable entry form.
Websites
www.elroywi.com
Course Map
View Larger Map
Share
Your Race Story
Ever run in Elroy's annual Tunnel Trails Half Marathon? Share your
impressions and read fellow runners' stories and
tips for the event.
Discuss it in the HalfMarathons.Net
Message
Boards
Submitted by Charlie Kennedy
Elroy Lions Club
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