-
Lake Mills,
Wisconsin,
United States - November
- 13.1 miles/Half Marathon, Other
- Road Race
- Event Website
Rosemary Moore
Iowa, United StatesOverall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
This is the second year I've run this race, and I would happily do it again. It's small, well-organized, and has good beer (the race is run by the New Tyranena Brewing Co), food, and music afterwards in a heated tent. It's also only about a 20 minute drive from my in-laws' place, but I'd run it anyway.
This year's weather wasn't great - low 40's, misty, some wind. That slowed the race down just a little. The course is about 1/2 paved road (with open roads) about 1/2 packed gravel and dirt trail, that is, the Glacial Drumlin Trail, and begins and ends at the brewery. There are hills in the first half of the course, steepish but short, though the second half is fairly flat. My only criticism of the course is the open road segment, but the race is small, the roads all have wide shoulders and aren't heavily travelled, and Wisconsin drivers are polite.
Packet pickup is the morning of the run, and was very efficient. This year it was held in the brewery itself, perhaps due to the wet weather. There is also lots of beer, good beer, at a really nice price, that you could buy before or after the race.
Rest stops for this race are about every 2 miles, with water and gatorade. We were notified ahead of time to bring our own food. There's also an unofficial beer stop at about the 4.7 mile mark - why not stop for a sip or two?
After finishing the race, runners are guided into a tent with a LOT of food and bottled water to take. This is where medals are given out as well. Every runner also got a thermal wrap this year due to the colder wet weather. It was all set out very well.
Every runner got a full lasagna dinner with 2 pints of beer (or other drinks) as part of the race fee. It's a huge amount of food! You can buy additional dinners/drink tickets as well. The atmosphere is great! Brewery tours are also available after the run.
So this race sells out every year, and I'm not surprised. I will definitely run this race again - easy choice.