7th Annual BREAK Run (Blizzardy Ramshackle Endurance Adventure in the Kettles)

In memorial of the original, auspicious 19-mile winter trail run in January 2020 in the Southern Kettles amidst a blizzard, the Madison Trail Runners will for the seventh year running head to the Rice Lake area on Saturday, February 21 for a long run on the beautiful Ice Age Trail. We cannot promise a blizzard, but we can promise a ramshackle-y endurance adventure.

We'll meet at the southernmost point of the Southern Kettles at the southern lot of the Rice Lake Boat launch (State Park Dr 42.776143, -88.695928) at 7:30 am. From the lot we will take the short connector to the Ice Age Trail where we will have a hilly run up the moraines and down the kettles.

There will be a group planning on running an out and back just past the Duffin Road crossing (42.817690, -88.621181) to reach a total of 19 miles (https://www.strava.com/routes/23363703).

This group will cover the majority of the Whitewater Lake and Blackhawk segments of the Ice Age Trail. If there is a group interested in running a shorter version, these folks will turn around earlier at the Hwy 12 crossing (end of Whitewater Lake segment) for a total of about 8 miles. We'll all be running at a 9 - 10 min/mile pace or a bit slower depending on trail conditions.

Folks are welcome to turn around sooner or run longer as desired. Feel free to comment below if you'd like to run a different distance or pace.

We might have a vehicle parked just off the trail at the Highway 12 Lot that will have water, Tailwind, coffee, and cookies for those that would like to make a quick stop. Stay tuned in the comments for updates confirming this vehicle.

Depending on what the weather has in store for us, you may want to bring MICROspikes, Yaktrax, screw shoes, or deep treaded shoes like Speedcross.

No charge for this event but for the Rice Lake parking lot you'll need a State Park Sticker. (It's February. Buy one for the year. It is the best investment you can make.) Purchase info is at: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/admission.html

Hope to see another good crew out there enjoying winter on the trails!