Wausau’s first winter triathlon hits the trails
Racers can compete the Winter Triathlon as an individual or as a 2 or 3 person relay team. The IRONBULL team organizing the event includes Race Director Rebecca Tuley (left), President Tim Buchholz (middle) and Executive Director Andrea Larson (right).
WAUSAU (Wausau Pilot & Review) – Though most people are familiar with traditional triathlons, few have heard of a winter triathlon, which makes the IRONBULL Winter Triathlon a unique offering for outdoor enthusiasts. Taking advantage of the winter wonderland present in the Wausau area, racers will experience a triathlon on (frozen) water, on bike and then on foot. Participants at the race will start cross country skiing (classic or skate) on a 6k loop, then transition to fat tire bikes. This race marks the first time fat tire bikes have been allowed at Nine Mile County Forest. Bikers will follow 10k of snowshoe trails and Central Wisconsin Offroad Cycling Coalition’s (CWOCC) maintained singletrack trails which have been transformed for fat biking for this event. Finally, racers will switch to snowshoes, covering 5k on more singletrack trails.
The idea for this style race in Wausau was envisioned by race director, Rebecca Tuley, who is an avid outdoor enthusiast and mountain biker. After competing in Wisconsin’s first winter triathlon, the Forest Frenzy in Boulder Junction in 2017, she was inspired to bring a similar event back to her hometown.
“I knew Wausau had the prime location for such an event at Nine Mile County Forest and presented the idea to John Burke, former president of Wausau Nordic Ski Club (WNSC), who thought it was an excellent idea," said Tuley.
This year’s early snowfall has allowed spectacular early season ski and snowshoe conditions at Nine Mile County Forest.
A portion of the event proceeds will go to CWOCC and WNSC to help continuing efforts in maintaining and improving area trails.
This unique event is a perfect fit for Wausau with CWOCC’s top notch trails at Nine Mile County Forest plus ski trails that already host Wisconsin’s oldest continuing organized ski races, the Snekkevik Classic, and Badger State Games.
Racers snowshoe on CWOCC’s maintained singletrack trails.
Biking is not allowed at Nine Mile County Forest from Oct 15 to May 1, so Tuley and Burke approached the Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department and asked them to consider an exception for this event. The exception was approved unanimously by the Citizens’ Advisory Board and, after further approval by the County Forestry and Recreation Committee, planning commenced for this exciting event.
Since many winter enthusiasts are not proficient in all three disciplines, two and three person relay options are available. Relay divisions include opportunities for families, friends and co-workers to team up to be a part of this unique adventure. Onsite ski and snowshoe rentals are available on a first come, first served basis as well.
CWOCC is hosting a self-guided 10k moonlight snowshoe hike open to the public on Saturday, January 25, 2020. Racers may choose to snowshoe this loop to scout out the bike portion of the course as biking is not allowed at Nine Mile County Forest other than during the triathlon. CWOCC maintains and grooms several other area trails for fat tire biking. Those trails and trail conditions can be found at www.cwocc.org.
The January 26, 2020 Winter Triathlon will also be part of Badger State Winter Games, resulting in a weekend of events for Badger State Games held at Nine Mile County Forest. Skiers from around the Midwest will come to Wausau to compete in the 31st annual Badger State Winter Games on January 25, 2020.
There are even more winter festivities in Wausau that weekend, with Wausau Events’ Brew Fest in downtown Wausau on Friday, January 24, 2020 followed by Wausau Events’ Winter Fest on Saturday, January 25, 2020 on the 400 Block.
So whether you plan to race, participate for fun, volunteer or spectate, there’s plenty to do the entire weekend in Wausau.
More information is available at: https://www.ironbull.org/winter-triathlon-details
IRONBULL is a non-profit 501(c)(3) extreme off-road race organization that develops, hosts and sponsors recreational and extreme racing venues from ultra-marathons, off-road triathlons, bike races, and paddling events.
Central Wisconsin Offroad Cycling Coalition (CWOCC) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate through trail advocacy and promote fitness, group activities as well as exploring nature. We are dedicated to maintaining, designing and building sustainable, environmentally sound, offroad bicycling trails.
The Wausau Nordic Ski Club (WNSC) was formed in 1972 to establish, maintain and promote safe cross country skiing through projects contributing to growth and advancement of the sport