(Originally published September 16, 2012)
Trail races and ultra distance races are rapidly growing in popularity across the country and in Iowa, too. I certainly favor longer races and less pavement makes the race “more better” as a wise friend used to say. This is why I’m excited that the gun is set to go off for a new race, the Running Village Fall 50k, on October 13 starting near downtown Cedar Falls. The race promises to offer runners a competitive and fun trail ultra.
To my knowledge there are four ultras in Iowa and the Running Village Fall 50k promises to be the most “traditional” trail ultra race in some respects . The others are great races but the Wildcat 50k near Muscatine (no pre-registration, honor-system-write-your-own time for 6 mile out/back course), Hawkeye 50k near Solon (some technical trails, but 2/3 is road or crushed gravel bike path) and Triple D between Dyersville and Dubuque (January run on flat crushed limestone bike path) all differ from what many people think of a as a trail race to a degree.
Race director Scott Gall notes that most trail races start and finish in the middle of nowhere but the RV50k will be unique in that it is starting and finishing behind The Runner’s Flat store in downtown Cedar Falls. The course will consist of two 25k loops that will be 90 percent dirt and grass and feature a lot of twisty singletrack, and an extended stream crossing where the course will follow the creek for what Gall estimates is 150 yards. The course won’t be full of hills but Gall says that there will be some stairs and each loop will have one hill that takes runners 3 to 4 minutes to climb – enough to feel some burn.
Gall, who owns The Runner’s Flat along with his wife, Sarah, is an accomplished
racer in his own right but will be sitting this one out and wearing his race director’s hat. He’s taking a long-term approach to the race and hopes to make it a bigger deal in the next five years; for him a first year turnout of 50 to 100 people would be good and at press time he estimated he had 25 pre-registered. Still, he is already offering $500 for the men’s and women’s winners, so he’s sure to draw some top notch regional runners to the race in the first year. He hopes to grow the race in the next few years and has plans to run it in conjunction with other events, including bike races, to create a more exciting festival atmosphere
racer in his own right but will be sitting this one out and wearing his race director’s hat. He’s taking a long-term approach to the race and hopes to make it a bigger deal in the next five years; for him a first year turnout of 50 to 100 people would be good and at press time he estimated he had 25 pre-registered. Still, he is already offering $500 for the men’s and women’s winners, so he’s sure to draw some top notch regional runners to the race in the first year. He hopes to grow the race in the next few years and has plans to run it in conjunction with other events, including bike races, to create a more exciting festival atmosphere
http://youtu.be/g3udjYYVLn8
“I love the atmosphere at trail races. They're more homegrown, more fun, and that’s what this will be. I’m not going to sweat the details too much this year but I guarantee it will be fun,” he said. He also promises that he will “mark the heck out of the course” to ensure nobody goes off course or even has to slow down at an intersection wondering which way to go. Another unique feature of the race will be the neutral, rolling start (common in bike races) where all runners will run the first mile together at about 10:00 per mile pace on a paved bike trail paced by a couple bikes. This will be a good warmup and a chance for all racers to socialize. However, once the bikes peel off and the course hits the dirt the race is on! For those not ready to run the full 50k (31 miles) there is the option of running “only” 25k
Gall promises a simple Running Village shirt that “you’d actually want to wear around” and lots of great awards and door prizes, and the race website touts one of the biggest post-race parties in the midwest. While that might be asking a lot, don’t underestimate Gall. I’ve seen the guy in action on the race course and if he’s as determined to turn this race into something special as he is to cross the finish line first, this will become a must-do fall trail race for trail runners across the midwest.
(Gall is not only one of the country's top mountain runners, snowshoers and X-Terra triathletes but he is also a coach and is offering a training camp in Colorado Springs, CO, November 8-11 where athletes will have a chance to spend lots of time running and/or snowshoeing, depending upon conditions. The short training camp will conclude with a climb of 14,110 ft tall Pike's Peak and costs $500 which includes meals, transportation, lodging and an assortment of gear. For more info contact Gall at The Runner's Flat... 319-227-1154)
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