Ironbull in the news
A new events organization has been launched in Wausau, dedicated to promoting and cultivating extreme sports in the area. IronBull aims to grow extreme sports by becoming a hub for those logistics, both by taking existing races under its umbrella and starting new races. The big picture goal is to be able to market Wausau as a hub of extreme sports activities, says IronBull Board Chair Tim Buchholz. Focusing on these races and promoting the area through its outdoor sports is a great way to attract a young workforce. “We have the outdoor infrastructure like Bend (Ore.) or Boulder (Colo.) but we never market it,” Buchholz says. “Our goal is to get people aware of Wausau as a great outdoor sports mecca.”
IronBull will launch with three races this year. The annual Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge in May, which Buchholz created a few years ago, will now be under the IronBull umbrella. This fall IronBull will hold the area’s first ultra-marathon and a bicycle race. Next year will see the addition of an extreme off-road triathlon and a paddle race among others. By its third year, IronBull organizers hope to have nine races within a 12-month window.
The nonprofit organization already has offices in the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce offices and has hired a director. IronBull is mentioned in the new strategic plan developed through the chamber of commerce. The group hopes to build on to the several extreme-like sports events already happening in the area, including the Ragnar trail run at Nine Mile Recreation Area and Badger State Games.