On Saturday, May 29th, Ten Junk Miles Racing hosted the Sugar Badger Trail Races, featuring a 50 mile, 50K and Half Marathon. All races started and ended in Belleville Community Park in Belleville, Wisconsin. The start times ranged from 6am-8am, and all distances had generous cutoff times.
Parking was free and available in the park, as well as throughout the downtown area. Vendors from the Village of Belleville were onsite throughout the morning selling pastry items and coffee. The start/finish line area was full of positive energy and support as runners left drop bags, picked up packets, and prepared to hit the trails.
The course was an out and back that began on the Badger trail and ended on the Sugar River Trail. The trails were tree covered and easy on the joints, as both had flat, soft, grounding. They were beautifully scenic trails with several bridges to cross and plush scenery.
Just two hours away from the city, the entire course was a picturesque getaway. Temperatures began in the 40’s and ended in the 60’s, ideal for runners to earn some fast times.
The course was not free from challenge, as the course wove through hilly streets to get from one trail to the other. I gained a total of 500 feet of elevation during the half marathon, all of which was between miles 2.5-5 and 8.5-11 on the turnaround, or thereabouts.
Runners were certainly not bored by this course with the nature-filled beauty of the trails and the challenge of the streets lining plush farmland. And if that weren’t enough, Ten Junk Miles Racing had the absolute BEST aid stations.
All runners received a finishers medal and a plentiful swag bag which included a bag, soft, gender-specific shirt, socks, and hydration powder. Runners were also treated to FREE pizza and beer at the finish line.
Winners were:
50 Mile – 1st place female – Rachel Ragona & 1st place male – Mike Treder
50K 1st place female – Jen Makovec & 1st place male – Jeff Friedman
Half Marathon – 1st place female – Mandi Florip & 1st place male – Riley Spahn
Check out Ten Junk Miles Racing here to sign up for the next races this summer.
