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Running with Tom Kaufman Two new classics in the making Runners in our little corner of the country are fortunate to have a plethora of running races from which to choose. We have big races, small races, hilly races, trail races – races of every possible description. While each of us has our favorites, there are some events that most would agree have become classics, either due to the sizes of their fields, distances, nature of the courses or the overall ambience of the experiences. With no intention to slight anyone, I would list among these classic events several marathons (Chicago, GrandmaUs, Lakefront, Paavo Nurmi, Twin Cities and Whistlestop), and a smattering of shorter races, including the Bellin 10K in Green Bay, Wisconsin; the Bix 7 in Davenport, Iowa; Crazy Legs in Madison, Wisconsin; Living History Farms Cross Country in Des Moines, Iowa; and the Steamboat Classic in Peoria, Illinois. Each of these races has that certain something that makes people want to come back year after year. This year two relatively new events are poised to join the list of classic races. The Full Moon 5K to be held in Madison on August 1 at 9 p.m. and the Birkie Trail Marathon Relay, Half Marathon and 5K to be held on September 22 each promise a unique and memorable running experience. Full Moon 5K The Full Moon 5K is in its third year. The race has grown from a relatively small affair to an event that will (hopefully, according to its organizers) reach its limit of 500 runners. The limited field size is mandated by the city of Madison to ensure safety, maintain the course and work within traffic constraints at night. The flat and fast course starts at a beach on Lake Monona Bay and follows a road and bike path through a lovely neighborhood and park until it reaches John Nolan Drive. Here, within a block of the beautiful Monona Terrace Convention Center, the course crosses John Nolan Drive and proceeds along another bike path to its finish in Olin Park. The nighttime view from the finish area of the illuminated state Capitol and downtown Madison is the most magnificent of anywhere in the city. The race is the brainchild of former USA Track and Field 1,500 meter champion Andy Downin who said he wanted to put on a race that would highlight Madison and Rbe a little different from the norm.S A 9 p.m. start seemed like just the ticket. RPeople like running at night and you just donUt get to do it that often, at least not in a race,S Downin said. His optimism has been justified, judging by the number of race participants. The 125 runners in 2005 grew to 450 last year. In addition, there will be a Fit Kids 1K race preceding the main event. Fit Kids is part of MadisonUs Fit City program aimed at promoting fitness for everyone. Volunteers from local running store MovinU Shoes organize a number of Fit Kids events throughout the summer as well as work to put on the Full Moon 5K. Even though Downin has moved out of the Madison area, the race is still in good hands. Matt Downin, AndyUs brother and one of the top distance runners in the United States, has picked up where Andy left off. Assisted by an experienced group of runners and race organizers, Matt is looking to improve the overall quality of the event for everyone. In addition to shoes and other merchandise awards to the top three finishers in each age group, there will be raffle prizes and post-race food and refreshments, including specialty root beer. I helped out last year and despite the high number of runners, it seemed that nearly everyone left with a prize and a huge smile. For those who are aiming for PRs, the Full Moon course is accurate and fast. The menUs record is 14:59 and the womenUs is 18:57. Race organizers would be thrilled to see those times improved upon this year. Organizers encourage people to register early to ensure a spot in the race. Entry forms can be downloaded from www.movinshoesmadison.com. Birkie Trail Run The Birkie Trail Marathon Relay, Half Marathon and 5K have evolved out of the previously held Birkie Trail runs. Ned Zuelsdorff, executive director of the American Birkibeiner as well as race director for the new trail races, said, "We wanted to change things up a little." A marathon seemed like a logical idea given the length of the trail and peopleUs passion for endurance events. Zuelsdorff felt that the relay would offer a unique opportunity to race as a team and make the event approachable by more people. Having run dozens of long distance relays, I could not agree more. The camaraderie and team spirit shared during a relay are second to none. Running that relay on the Birkie Trail will only add to the experience. The three races will each have their own start location and time. The marathon relay will start at 9 a.m. at the Cable Gun Club near the 1K mark on the trail. Zuelsdorff said that everyone goes past this point shortly after starting the Birkie, but in the frenzy of the start. rarely notices the gun club. The leadoff runner will follow some of the new classic ski trail and finish after about 8K at the Timber Trail food station. The second leg, starting about 9.5K in, is the toughest. "Here is where you put your team's big dog," Zuelsdorff said. That leg ends at Boedecker Road. The third leg finishes its 5K length with the head wall up to County Trunk OO. From here another 9K takes runners to the 32K mark on the trail at the gravel pit. Mosquito Brook will greet the fifth runner 6K later. The anchor runs another 5K leg before finishing at Hatchery Creek Park. Each exchange will be a fully supported aid station with drinks, food and first aid. Runners may carry their own drinks and energy replacement gels, but can rest assured that they will be able to replenish themselves upon completing their leg. The half marathon will begin at 10 a.m. at County OO and follow the same course as the relay. Aid stations at the Gravel Pit and Mosquito Brook will be stocked for the individual runners as well as the relay participants. The 5K starting at 11 a.m. will be run completely on the trails at Hatchery Park. Zuelsdorff said the 5K will be a fun run, but he expects some serious racers to turn out. The half marathon has a minimum age requirement of 16 years with age groups starting at 16 to 19 and up in 10-year increments to 70 and over. The 5K has the same age groups but a minimum age of 12 to participate. A unique feature of the relay will be the handicapped scoring system. Each runner will be assigned a handicap based on age and sex and expressed as a percentage of scratch time. The handicaps will be averaged for each team to come up with a team handicapped percentage. This will be applied to the teamUs overall time to calculate their age/sex adjusted time. For example, a team that finishes in four hours (240 minutes) with an average handicap of 10 percent will be given a time of 3:36 (216 minutes). A team that finishes in 4.5 hours (270 minutes) with an average handicap of 20 percent would also be given a time of 3:36 (216 minutes). It should make for some interesting race and team strategy. Teams may include three or six runners. Divisions include open, mixed (including at least two runners of each sex on a six-runner team or one of each sex on a three-runner team) and women. Another feature of the relay is the transportation needs of each team. Team members will need to transport their runners to each exchange in a timely fashion. Since this is a trail race, teams will not be able to accompany their runners along the route. Exchange areas will be clearly delineated. Zuelsdorff recommends a vehicle with good ground clearance. Any type of SUV should be more than sufficient. All of the races will end at a common finish line at Hatchery Creek Park. Plans call for a great celebration filled with music, real food (meaning, not just energy bars) and great prizes and drawings. Awards will include Salomon trail running shoes, among the more intriguing items. The early fall date should be an outstanding time to be out on the Birkie Trail. The weather will be starting to cool, the bugs diminishing and the trail will no doubt be exquisite. If you have only visited the area during the winter, you owe it to yourself to see what it looks like when things are green and starting to show their fall colors. Each trail race offers its own unique perspective. Run hard or run easy. Run long or run short. You'll have ample choices on September 22. Personally, I can't think of a better way to run a race on the Birkie Trail than as part of a relay. You will have fun, your team will have fun, and who knows, with the new scoring system you might just come away with some swag. There you have it. Two outstanding races to add to your late summer/early fall racing calendar. Each promises to be a unique experience that you can carry with you throughout the coming season. Good running to you! Tom Kaufman of Madison, Wisconsin, has run more than 40 marathons in his more than 38 years of running. He teaches high school phys ed and coaches high school track and cross-country as well as community and masters athletes. He has a master's degree in physical education with a specialization in exercise physiology.
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