Inaugural IRONBULL event showcases epic race course
Jim Zuege attended two training runs led by race directors to prepare for the technical course. Photo: Greg T Photography
WAUSAU (Ultra Running Magazine) – Forested rock scrambles, 7000 feet of elevation gain, and guided bushwhacks are not what you may expect for a race in Central Wisconsin, but that’s exactly what racers were challenged with in the inaugural IRONBULL Ultra Trail event on October 19, 2019.
Women’s 50k champion, Bailey Boudreau, typically races road races but was drawn to the challenge. “The constantly changing terrain kept my mind in the present moment rather than on all the miles to come before the finish line,” reflected Boudreau.
The IRONBULL Ultra Trail race had a unique mix of trail and urban running. The course consisted of the first 22 miles of the course almost entirely on trails, some of them requiring runners to use all fours, then the remainder of the course traveling to the heart of downtown Wausau via neighborhood streets and off-road bike and pedestrian paths. Once runners hit the roads to get to the finish line party in downtown Wausau, they knew that all the hills were behind them – allowing them to pick up the pace.
The point-to-point race added additional logistical challenges for the first-time race directors, Ellen Humberston and Jake Daul; however, they divided up tasks masterfully on race day.
Men’s champion, Brandon Schopf, battles the slick climb. Photo: Greg T Photography
Humberston and Daul not only challenged racers with the technical trails at Rib Mountain State Park, which boasts the highest vertical drop ski slopes in the Midwest, but they created guided bushwhack sections. These sections required even the most experienced trail runners to keep on their toes. And if that weren’t enough, they also ordered rain from the gods to slicken the trails.
Several first time ultra marathoners completed the challenge, including locals Rob Hoehn and John Lauer and women’s champion Boudreau.
Hoehn picked up running to lose weight after an ACL injury. Finishing his first ultra marathon and his first trail race ever is “another challenge to overcome, another hill to climb if you will."
Just months ago, Lauer laughed when a friend suggested he try an ultra. Lauer admitted, “I didn’t think I’d ever do an ultra…I just couldn’t quite understand why someone would be so excited to go so far.”
Now Lauer, Hoehn, and Boudreau have conquered the challenge, each finishing under eight hours, well under the ten hour cutoff. However, that wasn’t the case for everyone, about ¼ of the field was still out on the course past nine hours.
Despite it being IRONBULL’s inaugural event, racers attested it was very well organized. Men’s 50k champion, Brandon Schopf, remarked, “I was impressed - your team was professional and organized. The race was well run, from the course markings to the aid stations to the after party.”
Race director, Jake Daul, hands out custom awards he hand crafted.
Even for a first time event race organizers pulled out all the stops. Racers had access to fully stocked aid stations every five miles in addition to a drop bag at miles 10 and 20. The finish line was electric with an announcer sharing fun facts about racers as they finished and local live band. Any racer, their family, or volunteer had full access to the YMCA just three blocks away. The hot showers were especially welcomed to the wet and muddied racers before grabbing a free meal and beer. Plus, racers and volunteers had free camping walking distance from the downtown finish.
Boudreau, a vegan, was also thankful for the vegan post-meal offerings. IRONBULL also embraces being a steward to the community with green initiatives, including offering shuttle service and cupless events.
“The volunteers were friendly and helpful, and the course was impressively well marked. Overall, it was a wonderful event which I would recommend to anyone who is up for an adventure,” says Boudreau.
Race director, Jake Daul, hand crafted custom awards plus the overall winners received a $250 check. In addition to overall and age group awards, the first male and female to the top of the initial 800 foot climb was awarded an IRONBULL Rush Award after being sent off by the Mayor at sunrise. At the top they could take in views of downtown Wausau with beautiful fall colors.
The IRONBULL Ultra Trail offers a unique mix of technical trail running and finishes in downtown Wausau. Racers pass the highest building in Wisconsin outside of Milwaukee as they approach the finish line. Photo: Greg T Photography
IRONBULL has six events slated for 2020 including the Ultra Trail on October 17, 2020. The Ultra Trail was the first of a series of races organized by IRONBULL, a newly formed non-profit focused on promoting year-round outdoor recreation in Central Wisconsin. In addition to the 50k, a 15k event is also offered.
Next year’s IRONBULL Ultra Trail 50k/15k will be held October 3, 2020. Full results can be found at https://www.ironbull.org/ultra-results-2019