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 added the event’s first-ever half marathon in 2008 and full marathon in 2013.
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.