Experience a new trail run through one of the most beautiful parks in Wisconsin at the Pen Park Trails Fest. Run the 30k or 14k course in Door County’s beautiful Peninsula State Park
Pen Park Trails Fest begins at 9:00 am November 2nd from Welcker’s Point Shelter in Peninsula State Park, WI.
Runners will receive:
– Long sleeve race shirt
– Completion medal
– Post-race beer from Sway Brewing and Blending or NA beverage
– Course support and nutrition
– Priority registration for the following year
Courses:
The 30K course heads out on what we think is the most beautiful 2-mile segment of gravel path in the Midwest. The course then travels inland onto the park’s single-track and multi-use trail system, climbing up and descending the Niagara escarpment multiple times. The course brings runners atop Sven’s and Eagle bluff, ensuring that runners climb and descend the maximum amount possible within the park. The race finishes where it started at Welcker’s Point Shelter with food and beverage waiting.
The 14K course is mellow compared to the 30K, but still features some of the park’s best trails and challenging terrain. It heads out on our favorite gravel path with the 30K, then experiences a couple of tricky climbs. It separates from the 30K at around mile 5 (unless you make an impulse decision resulting in an extra 16k). Like the 30k, the 14k will climb Sven’s bluff and feature multiple longer descendants, relative to the park’s topography. The 14k race also finishes where it started, at Welcker’s Point Shelter with food and beverage waiting.
Course Cutoffs: Both distances will have a 6-hour time limit, and the 30k will have one strictly enforced cutoff on the course.
2023 course maps:
30K course
14k course
2024 course maps will be released in the month prior to the event. Expect a similar route to the 2023 courses. The park expects to have 7-10 miles of new single-track available by the end of the season. We hope to integrate these new trails into the course as early as this year. More info on the Peninsula State Park Trails Project
Pen Park Trails Fest will contribute to the Friends of Peninsula State Park to support trail development and maintenance following the event.
What else:
In our inaugural race year, we aim to create a participant experience that embraces the best of Peninsula State Park and its surrounding towns and businesses. An idea of some of the activities that can be expected are shown in the list below. Activities and gatherings will be announced via email as they are made official.
– August training run
– Race week gatherings at local businesses
– Organized group mountain/gravel bike ride in the park
We are excited to see what other event activities materialize in 2024 in collaboration with local event sponsors!
Please email ben@peninsulapacers.com with any questions, suggestions, or inquiries.
