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Ultra runners will pursue miles and milestones in Ice Age 50

Posted by Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel on May 13, 2011

ultra marathons

As if running 50 miles on the Ice Age Trail in southern Wisconsin isn't achievement enough, several of those who line up for the 30th edition of the race on Saturday will be pursuing even loftier milestones.

Lorraine Bunk, the "first lady" of trail running in the area, will attempt to finish the 50-mile challenge for a 20th time and become the first woman over 70 to complete the race within the 12-hour time limit. Bunk already holds the course record for the 50-59 and 60-69 age group.

Andy Arena will be running his 26^th Ice Age 50-mile race. When he crosses the line at the Nordic shelter outside La Grange, he will have completed more Ice Age 50s than anyone in the history of the race.

Race Director Jeff Mallach advised that eight participants will be running for the 500-mile club, and another four who will look to join Bunk in the 1,000-mile group.

Joining those veterans will be the rookie, Joel Patenaude, the editor of Silent Sports Magazine.

"I will consider myself very fortunate to be in such company at so highly-regarded an event as Ice Age," Patenaude wrote in an RSVP to his first 50-mile race.

To learn more about on the company he'll find on the trail, check out the coverage from the 2010 Ice Age 50.