2025 RACE RECAP
The 2025 Chippewa Trail Races were blessed with absolutely perfect weather—a refreshing change after several years of cold temperatures and rain threats. The morning started briskly in the high 30s, but by afternoon, full sunshine and temperatures in the low 60s created ideal racing conditions.
The finish line atmosphere was incredible, with families, friends, and supporters filling the hillside near the center, cheering runners on as they crossed the line. The energy and encouragement made the day even more memorable.
There were many standout performances this year:
Margaret Ho stole the spotlight by setting a new women’s course record in the 20-mile event, finishing in 2:48:25—beating the previous record by almost 12 minutes!
In the men’s 50K race, Aaron Smith delivered an outstanding performance, breaking the age group record by over 5 minutes with a new mark of 5:13:37.
2025 also saw the exciting debut of the 50K relay, featuring 11 teams. The Swiftwater Stooges took first place, establishing the inaugural course record for the event.
This year's Chippewa Trail Races reminded everyone why trail running is so special: a mix of perfect weather, incredible athletic achievements, and a community spirit that made the event feel truly electric.
Thank you to all the runners, volunteers, and supporters who made 2025 one for the books. We can’t wait to see you on April 25th.
General Inforamtion
LOCATION
David R. Obey (Chippewa Moraine) Ice Age Interpretive Center
13394 Cty Hwy M
New Auburn, WI 54757
The David R. Obey Ice Age Interpretive Center is 7 miles east of New Auburn and 1.9 miles east of State Highway 40 on County Highway M.
PARKING: There is a small lot at the top of the hill at the Interpretive Center. You may park on both sides of the driveway, but please pull off as much as you safely can in order to keep space open for drivers and runners (who use the lower portion at the end of the race.)
PACKET PICK UP - Friday the night before the race at the center from 3 to 5pm and morning of race starting at 6:30am
MUSIC - Please no exteranl music while on the course
COURSE MARINGS - Will be done will pink flags and pink ribbon
AID STATION - Will have snickers, salted nut rolls, fruti snack, choclate chip cookies, orreos, gatoarde and water.
50k
WHEN - Saturday, April, 25th
START - 8:00 a.m.
COURSE - Course is an out-and-back marked with pink flags that are staked in the ground on your right side going out and left side on your return trip. Mostly single track using the Ice Age Trail and the Circle Trail from the Center.
AID STATIONS- (driving directions in parentheses)
1. Cty Hwy M 3.2 miles (.75 mile west of the Center on Cty Hwy M)
2. Plumber Lake 6.3 miles, 9.5 miles total (4 miles east on Cty Hwy M then 1 mile south on 167th/Plummer Lake Road)
3. Turnaround 6.1 miles, 15.6 miles total (9 miles east of center on Cty Hwy M then 2.4 miles south on Cty Hwy E)
4. Plumber Lake 6.1 miles, 21.7 miles total (4 miles east on Cty Hwy M then 1 mile south on 167th/Plummer Lake Road)
5. Cty Hwy M 6.3 miles, total 28 miles (.75 mile west of center)
DROG BAGS - at the turnaround
PORTA POTTY - at the start/finish and the turnaround
CUT OFF - Finish time 9 hours and 4 hours at the turnaround
AWARDS - Top 3 male and female
PRINTS - All Finishers will receive a full color 8.5 x 11 print of current year logo
FIELD LIMIT - 180 entries
ENTRY FEES: 11/28/25 - $50.00 till Dec 2nd or the first 60 entries. Whatever comes first.- $75.00 from then on till March 1st till April 20th $95.00
20 Miler
WHEN - Saturday, April, 25th
START - 8:30 a.m.
COURSE - Course is an out-and-back marked with pink flags that are staked in the ground on your right side going out and left side on your return trip. Mostly single track using the Ice Age Trail and the Circle Trail from the Center.
AID STATIONS - (driving directions in parentheses)
1. Cty Hwy M - 3.2 miles (.75 mile west of the Center on Cty Hwy M)
2. Plumber Lake / Turnaround - 6.3 miles, 9.5 miles total (4 miles east on Cty Hwy M then 1 mile south on 167th/Plummer Lake Road)
3. Cty Hwy M - 6.3 miles, total 15.8 miles (.75 mile west of center)
DROG BAGS - Not available
CUT OFF - Finish time 7 hours
AWARDS - Top 3 male and female
PRINTS - All Finishers will receive a full color 8.5 x 11 print of current year logo
FIELD LIMIT - 150 entries
ENTRY FEES: 11/28/25 - $40 till Dec 2nd or the first 50 entries. Whatever comes first.- $65 from then on till March 1st till $80.00
50k Relay
The 50k relay is a 2 person event.
WHEN - Sat April 25th
START - 8:30AM
COURSE - Will be using the 50k course
Any combination of 2 runners and any age combination.
One runner run to the turnaround.
High fives the waiting runner.
Next runner runs back to the center.
Same course as the open 50k race.
NO TRANSPORATION WILL BE GIVEN.
EACH TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR TRANSPORATION TO AND FROM THE TURNAROUND. LIMIT OF 35 TEAMS.
Entry Fee 11/27/25 till Dec 2nd, $80.00 or the first 10 teams. Whatever comes first.
After 12/2 $120.00 per team till March 1st. After March 1st $140.00
10k
WHEN - Saturday, April, 25th
START - 9:00 a.m.
COURSE - Course is a loop with pink flags that are staked in the ground. Mostly single track using the Ice Age Trail and the Circle Trail from the Center.
AID STATIONS- (driving directions in parentheses)
1. Cty Hwy M - 3.2 miles (.75 mile west of the Center on Cty Hwy M)
DROG BAGS - Not available
CUT OFF - Finish time 2 hours
AWARDS - Top 3 male and female
PRINTS - All Finishers will receive a full color 8.5 x 11 print of current year logo
FIELD LIMIT - 120 entries
ENTRY FEES: 11/2725 - $20.00 till Dec 2nd or the first 40 entries. Whatever comes first.- $35.00 on 12/2/25 till March 1st till April 20th $40.00
LODGING OPTION
Camp Nawakwa is a historic youth camp that is available for rent to youth groups and organizations.
A 75-acre camp that is settled amongst hilly glacial topography on the north side of picnic lake.
The camp is right at the turn around of the 50k and is the parking for the 50k relay.
In addition to providing parking they are the AS people for the turn around!
Offering cabins to yurts for ONLY $50.00 PER PERSON a night!
More info on Camp Namwakwa
Course Map
Course Overview
The Chippewa Trail Races are run primarily on the scenic Ice Age Trail, a single-track trail system that offers runners a true trail running experience. Most of the course follows a narrow dirt path winding through forests, lakes, and rolling terrain.
You’ll encounter numerous small hills throughout the course, with one major climb waiting for you near the finish line. While the terrain isn’t overly technical, it’s not road running either—roots and rocks can appear suddenly, so stay alert!
Along the way, you’ll enjoy a variety of landmarks and natural features:
Views of over 20 lakes, including South Shattuck Lake, Dans Lake, and Plummer Lakes.
A climb up Rattlesnake Hill, followed by a stretch through open field.
A balance test on the Three Sisters Boardwalk and a crossing over Kim’s Bridge, built by her father in her memory.
A 100-foot-long, 3-foot-high bridge through a tall pine swamp—without railings!
The trail winds through lush pine and hardwood forests, dotted with benches that might tempt you to rest. Keep an eye out for evidence of beavers and other woodland wildlife along the way.
Chippewa YouTube Channel
On our You Tube channel you will see videos of past winners in each event, runners' reaction to the race / course and random interviews.
Chippewa Trail Races
Finishers Prints
Each finisher in each event will get a full color print for the distance that they ran.
Course Records
50kIn 2021, Rachel Ragonia connects me via email asking about the course and type of shoes to wear. After my response, she tries trail running and some new shoes just one week before the event. At mile two, if you saw her, you know she was going to run fast, and fast she did. Breaking the long-time CR that has stood since 2012 by little over a minute. Rachel's time - 4:34:34
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Interview with Rachel RagonaIn 2017, Chase Coffey from Altra Shoes ran with Adam Doe to the turnaround. Adam had hoped for a course record after running very strong the previous year. However, he took a tumble and twisted his knee around mile 13 and eventually was not able to finish. Chase hit the turnaround averaging 7:30's and then was left to himself to bring it in. And bring it in he did! He dropped the hammer on the return with negative splits of 6:30 per mile!
Chase Coffey Interview /MALE
Overall: Chase Coffey 3:37 - 2017
20 and younger: Eric Nordgren 3:56:49 – 2012
30 and over: Rasmus Hoeg 3:51:27 – 2012
40 and over: Brent Roeger 3:56:44 - 2016
50 and over: Jeff Miller 4:14:04 - 2015
60 and over: Aaron Smith 5:13:37 – 2025
70 and over: Sylan Addink 6:11:32 – 2011
FEMALE
Overall: Rachel Ragonia 4:34:34 – 2021
20 and younger: Christi Nowak 4:45:53 – 2011
30 and over: Helen Lavine 4:41:00 - 2015
40 and over: Christine Crawford 4:35:48 – 2012
50 and over: Shelly Groenke 5:09:56 - 2012
60 and over: Jeanne McCurnin 6:21
I Beat...Shirts
I had an idea—one that could either bring some laughs or get me in trouble. The concept was simple: a race-day surprise in the form of a shirt that read, “I Beat Matt Long.” The catch? Nobody knew about it until five minutes before the race started.
Standing before the runners at the start line, I made the big reveal:
"Since I can't run today due to directing the race, I won’t be able to beat my good friend Matt Long. So, I’ll have to live vicariously through you all. Whoever finishes in front of Matt will receive one of these shirts."
I had my fingers crossed, hoping this would be taken in good humor. Luckily, it was. The runners loved it, the crowd erupted in laughter, and most importantly, Matt was a fantastic sport about it.
From that day on, the "I Beat [Name]" shirt became a race tradition. Each year, five minutes before the start, a new name is revealed, keeping the runners on their toes and the tradition alive.
What started as a lighthearted joke has become a beloved pre-race moment, adding an extra bit of fun and friendly competition to the event. And while the names may change each year, one thing remains the same—no one wants to be on the shirt, but everyone wants to earn one.
2025 JULIE BERG
2022 Erika Lohn
2021 Laurel Sipe (Supe)
2020 cancelled
2019 Matt McCarty
2018 Jim Wilson
2017 Joe Boler
2016 Maria (Marie) Barton
2015 https://i.postimg.cc/NjjpMndf/I-beat-Lohn.jpgDoug Barton
2013 Chris Scotch
2012 Dan LaPlante
2011 Misty Swanson
2010 Shelly Thompson
2009 Matt Long
Refund Policy
Due to the costs involved in setting up and holding a race, which are incurred before race day, there are no refunds.
Entries may not be transferred to another runner, deferred to another year, nor applied to another event.
Thank you for your understanding.
Event's current local time: 5:07 PM CT
