Keyes Peak Trail Run 50K, Marathon & 10 Km Keyes Peak Ski Lodge Florence, Wisconsin June 23, 2012
“Join us for a trail race in the remote forested highlands of Florence County. The wild and rugged terrain is some of the best in the Upper Great Lakes.” -Jeff Crumbaugh, Race Director

General Information

Join us for a trail race in the beautiful forested highlands of Florence County. Known for its wild rivers and remote wilderness, this rugged terrain features some of the best trail running in the Upper Great Lakes.

2012 Keyes Peak Event Schedule

Registration

Registration is available online only. This is part of our ongoing efforts to minimize waste. The 50K, marathon, and 10K are limited to 300 runners (combined total). The limitations are implemented to minimize environmental impact. Registration will be turned off when events reach capacity. There is no waiting list. Please do not contact Great Lakes Endurance to request entry after the event reaches capacity. There is no race day registration. If registration has not filled by June 22, you will be able to register in person at Packet Pick Up, Friday, June 22 from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m at the Keyes Peak Ski Lodge. You must be registered by June 9 to receive a race shirt. REGISTER NOW

Packet Pick Up

Runners may pick up their packets on Friday, June 22, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Keyes Peak Ski Lodge, near Keyes Lake, southwest of Florence. Due to environmental reasons packet pick up will be minimalist. You will receive your race number and race shirt. Tech reps from Montrail and Mountain Hardware will be available during packet pickup. They will have the latest trail running shoes and gear available for purchase as well as test fleet of Montrail shoes. Representatives from Wild Rivers Adventure Company the Florence County Visitor’s Bureau will be on hand to provide runners with information on mountain biking, kayaking, tubing, swimming, hiking and other opportunities for outdoor recreation in the area.

Events

50K & Marathon

The course starts and finishes at the Keyes Peak Ski Lodge on the east side of Highway 101, 4 miles southwest of Florence, WI. The course ascends a gravel service road through the woods to summit of Keyes Peak where runners will enjoy magnificent vistas of Keyes Lake and the forested terrain of Northern Wisconsin. The course is a single undulating loop through old growth pine forests, stands of paper birch, open meadows and river valley. The trail consists of dirt forest roads, two tracks, cross country ski trails, and single track. The terrain is rolling and diverse and flows well from start to finish. The 50K course includes an additional 5 mile trail loop that leaves and reenters the marathon course at approximately the 15 mile mark. Marathoners will cross the Pine River at mile 18 while 50K runners will cross at mile 23. Drop bag service is available at the post river crossing aid station for those wishing to change into dry shoes, etc.
50K & Marathon Start: 7:00 AM. Saturday, June 23, 2012 at the Keyes Peak Ski Lodge, 4 miles southwest of downtown Florence on Highway 101. Marathon Map  50K Map

10 Km

The 10 Km course is a scenic loop that also ascends Keyes Peak and follows dirt forest road for 2.5 miles before jumping on a winding section of single track through the forested highlands surrounding the summit area. Trail includes dirt forest road, two track and single track through the rolling highlands between Keyes Lake, Emily Lake and County Road N.
10K Start: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, June 23, 2012 Keyes Peak Ski Lodge (see location above). Map

Kid’s One Mile

This is a super fun course on the ski runs at Keyes Peak. It is hilly and challenging and allows parents and friends to watch nearly the entire race.
One Mile Start: 10:00 a.m. June 23, 2012. Keyes Peak Ski Lodge. Map.

Travel & Lodging

Nearest Major Airport: Green Bay, WI (80 miles)
Closest Airport: Iron Mountain, MI (20 miles)
Lodging Website: http://www.exploreflorencecounty.com/tourism/lodging/
Chamber of Commerce: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Trail Running Gear Expo

Tech reps from Montrail and Mountain Hardware will be available during packet pickup and after the race at Keyes Peak Ski Lodge. All of the latest trail running shoes plus a fleet of testing shoes will be available to runners.

Creating a Positive Experience

Trail running is an extraordinary sport that connects endurance athletes with the natural environment in an unmatched way. To ensure that your experience is positive and successful you must be well trained. The course is beautiful and a joy to run, but is also challenging, so prepare yourself well. When running you must carry a 20 oz water bottle that you can refill at aid stations. You must have a 20 oz water bottle to start the race. Having fluids with you between aid stations will maintain better hydration and energy levels and therefore allow a better running performance.

Aid Stations

The 50K course aid stations will be located at 3.5, 8.2, 14.5, 19.5, 23.7, and 28 miles. Six aid station are located on the marathon course at 3.5, 8.2, 14.5, 18.1, & 23 miles. Drop bags will be available to runners for retrieval at the aid station located after the crossing of the Pine River (18.1 or 23.7 mile for the marathon and 50K, respectively). Runners in the 50K and marathon will be required to carry a 20 oz water bottle or other functional hydration system which they can refill at each station. Aid station volunteers will have large pitchers with cold water and cold HEED energy drink with electrolytes and will quickly fill your bottle or hydration system. Simply have it open and ready to fill. Hammer Gel will be available at all aid stations except the 3.5 mile. Blue Sky Cola will be available at the last two aid stations on the 50K/Marathon course. The 10 Km will feature one aid station near the half way point with water only. Runners in the 10K are also required to carry a 20 oz. water bottle.

Time Limits

There is a six hour time limit for the marathon and a 7.5 hour limit for the 50K. This is strictly enforced due to safety reasons and the remote nature of the race course. Do not register if you cannot finish within the time limit. (However, early start times are available. Please contact the race director.) Aid stations will close at times listed in the table below. Those runners who decide to drop out of the race are advised to drop out at an aid station where transportation back to the Keyes Peak Ski Lodge will be available. A sweep mountain bike with radio will follow the last runner throughout the 50K & marathon.

Aid Station Closing Times

Race Fees

Race fees include:

1. Eco -technical race shirt by Atayne for all participants (must be registered by June 9).
2. Custom Medals for 50K & marathoners.

* No race day registration for 50K, Marathon & 10K.
** Kid’s One Mile Fee is $20 on Race Day (June 23, 2012).

No refunds or participant transfers allowed. This means that once you register you will not receive a refund for any reason nor can you transfer your entry to another person. You may transfer from the 50K to the marathon or the marathon to the 10K with written permission of the race director up until and including June 22. $25 charge for cancelled and NSF checks.

Awards

Age Groups

Environmental Measures

1. Eco-technical race shirts are made from 100% Recycled Polyester and are sewn in the U.S.
2. Each runner must carry a 20 oz water bottle or other functional hydration system. Why? Because cups are wasteful, end up in landfills, and don’t work very well at hydrating runners. At each aid station runners can have their bottle or hydration system refilled quickly with either cold water or cold HEED via a pitcher poured by a helpful volunteer. All you have to do is open up your bottle or hydration system and request the fluid of your choice. This is an obviously superior system on ecological grounds, however, we have found it results in less spillage (less waste) and better hydration for runners (they have access to fluid between aid stations as it is always with them).
3. Foods served after the marathon are either locally produced, organically grown, or both.
4. Marathon medallions are made from local hardwoods.
5. Food waste is composted and all other materials are recycled.
6. Course is marked with reusable flags that are removed after the event.

Littering

If you leave any trash on the course or litter you will be disqualified and will not receive a medallion or other award. Do not expect to leave trash including plastic coffee cups, plastic beverage bottles (Gatorade, Powerade, etc), gum wrappers, food wrappers on the course or at the lodge. If you have any reservations about this policy do not register for this event.

Bikes & Dogs

Bikes are not allowed on the course during the race except for volunteers. This is for runner safety. Dogs are not allowed on the course but are allowed near the lodge. They must be on a leash at all times and all animal waste must be picked up.. Failure to abide by this policy will result in disqualification.