|
WISCONSIN GOVERNOR FORGOES CUTS TO PARKS AND TRAILS
Madison, Wisconsin Members of the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks and the Governor's State Trail
Council united in support of Gov. Jim Doyle's proposal to restore positions cut in the Department of Natural Resources 2006-07 proposed budget.
During his February 8 prime time 2005 budget speech, Doyle remarked specifically on parks and trails.
"We applaud the governor's reversal of this proposal and his commitment to our parks and trails," said John Waring, co-chairman of the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Policy Committee.
The Wisconsin State Park System has 160 permanent field employees on 89 properties, averaging 1.8 people per property.
"The support groups to the state parks and trails have a major stake in how the park system is run," said
Mike McFadzen, chairman of the Governor's State Trail Council. "The restoration of these positions is a tremendous relief to our organizations and to the citizens that love our great Wisconsin outdoors."
McFadzen gave credit to a large coalition of environmental, natural resource and recreational groups for convincing Doyle to reverse the proposed cuts.
"Many of you took the time to contact DNR board members, legislators, Department of Administration staff
and the governor himself," McFadzen said. "I'm particularly proud that recreationalists took a major role in
this victory. We are typically the silent majority of Wisconsin politics. But not this time."
"Our hope is that the Legislature takes this proposal and the wishes of the state parks and trails supporters
into consideration," said Tim Lovett, co-chairman of the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Policy Committee.
Doyle has sent his budget to the Legislature. McFadzen said there is still a chance that the cuts will resurface, so he urged supporters of state parks and trails to contact their local legislators. He said those
who live in districts whose legislators are members of the Joint Finance Committee "have even more clout."
The following Web site helps state residents identify their legislators and get in touch with them: http://165.189.139.210 /WAML/.
To Top
HEALTHY STREETS CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO APRIL 1-2
The Healthy Streets Conference, hosted by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, is a two-day event, April 1-2, for transportation professionals, public officials and advocates to discuss ways to improve bicycling and walking conditions in Chicagoland.
Martha Lucy Barriga Hernandez, director of Via RecreActiva Sunday Parkways in Guadalajara, Mexico, will deliver Friday's keynote luncheon.
A full-day Real Intersection Design workshop (March 31), the 20th Anniversary Gala: A Tribute to Randy Neufeld (April 2), and the Chicago Bike Show (April 1-3) will take place in conjunction with the Healthy
Streets Conference.
Various registration levels are offered with an early registration discount available until March 10. Visit www.biketraffic.org for more information.
CBF 20th Anniversary Gala
Join the CBF on April 2 for a celebration of the organizations's 20th anniversary and to honor the work of Randy Neufeld.
Neufeld served as CBF's executive director from 1988 to 2004, and he continues to serve CBF as chief strategic officer.
Ticket prices for the 20th anniversary gala start at $150. Higher ticket levels include one table of 10 and come with additional sponsor benefits. The gala begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Mid-Day Club, 10 S. Dearborn
St., 56th floor, Chicago.
For more information, contact Sarah Stray of Hoopla Communications at sarah@hooplagroupla.biz or visit www.biketraffic.org.
Chicago Bike Show, April 1-3
The Chicago Bike Show and Family Fitness Expo, sponsored in part by CBF, invites all cyclists to the
country's largest consumer bicycle show, featuring 150 exhibitors, at Navy Pier.
The bike show also presents hot new products, an extreme stunt show, seminars, demo ride areas, time trial
racing and a kid's corner. Attendees of the Healthy Street Conference receive free entry to the show.
For more information, visit www.chicagobikeshow.com or call 847/675-0200, Ext. 201.
To Top
ILLINOIS BIKE PLAN INPUT NEEDED
The Illinois Department of Transportation has launched a statewide bike plan to focus on which of IDOT's upcoming road projects most need bikeways and to prioritize trail projects potentially eligible for transportation enhancement grants.
The next meetings will gather input for determining criteria. For more information about meetings, visit www.dot.state.il.us/bikemap/bikehome.htm or contact Robin Martel at 312/261-5725 or via e-mail at rmartel@wightco.com.
To submit input on the plan, visit the League of Illinois Bicyclists at www.bikelib.org/political_state/idotplan.htm.
To Top
IllINOIS BIKE TOUR COORDINATOR
The Western Illinois Tourism Development office is seeking a bike coordinator for the Grand Illinois Trail Bike Tour, September 11-18.
The ride starts in Rockford, travels the Rock River path through the Quad Cities south along the Mississippi River, and ends at Pere Marquette State Park, outside of Grafton. Each day's ride covers 50 or 60 miles
with entertainment, dinner and raffles each evening.
For more information, visit the event Web site at www.Illinoisgreatriversride.com or contact Roger Carmack at rcarmack@macomb.com; 877/477-7007, Ext. 269.
To Top
SWIMSUIT SKI AND SNOWSHOE RACES IN SAYNER, MARCH 12
Sayner, Wisconsin Break out the swimsuits and bikinis. It's time for the fifth annual World Championship XC Ski and Snowshoe Race, Saturday, March 12, at Razorback Ridges in Sayner, Wisconsin.
Sponsored by the Sayner-Star Lake Lions, the race is a fun way to wrap up a season of racing with lots of laughs and prizes.
The ski race varies from 1K to 5K depending on the temperature and weather conditions, while the snowshoe race is usually 1K.
The rules are simple. Racers must wear swimsuits or bikinis and no T-shirts or shorts to cover them. Hats, gloves and wool socks are allowed.
The race and party go on regardless of snow, sunshine, wind or cold.
Both races are part of the Lions "Say Goodbye to Winter" party at the Razorback Ridges chalet, where the
Lions not only cheer on competitors but also give away hamburgers, hot dogs and soda to racers and spectators alike.
There is a small entry fee of $5 per race ($8 for those who do both) which helps cover the cost of the prizes and party.
Although no times are kept for either race, the male and female winners are recognized and recorded for posterity. Awards commensurate with the seriousness of the race are given out to winners, with prizes given
to all competitors.
The race and party start at 2 p.m. and officially end about 4 p.m although traditionally it turns into a dusk 'til dawn event replete with bonfire and refreshments.
A limited number of loaner snowshoes are available courtesy of Chain O'Lakes Cyclery in Eagle River.
For further information, call 715/542-3501.
To Top
PUBLIC GUIDANCE SOUGHT FOR MANAGEMENT OF HORICON AND FOX RIVER WILDLIFE REFUGES
Mayville, Wisconsin The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will host three open houses to request input from the public in developing a comprehensive conservation plan for Horicon and Fox River National Wildlife
Refuges (NWR).
The conservation plan will set wildlife, habitat and public use priorities and guide management decisions on the Refuge for the next 15 years.
All aspects of the refuges will be addressed in the eventual final plan, including important fish and wildlife habitats, existing habitat management, and visitor services, uses and facilities.
By law, six wildlife-dependent recreational uses receive a priority on National Wildlife Refuges: fishing, hunting, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and interpretation.
The Fox River NWR open house is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 7 at the First National Bank, 408 Main Street, Montello.
Two open houses are scheduled for Horicon NWR. The first will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 8 at the Waupun Public Library, 120 South Mill Street, Waupun.
A second open house is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 10 in the cafeteria of the Mayville Middle School, 445 North Henninger Street, Mayville.
Interested citizens may stop by any time during the open houses to submit comments. Refuge staff and some exhibits will be present.
At 7 p.m. at each open house, a brief presentation on the planning and environmental compliance processes will be given by a representative of the Mangi Environmental Group, a consulting firm that is assisting U.S.
Fish and Wildlife in preparing the conservation plan and its associated environmental assessment.
Immediately after the presentation, attendees will be given the opportunity to express their thoughts and
ideas on refuge management. In addition, comment forms will be made available so that written comments can be submitted anytime during the open house or mailed to the refuge later.
The open houses will give interested members of the public, tribes, agencies, neighbors, public interest groups, and local governments an opportunity to participate in this refuge planning process from the very
beginning.
Written comments may be sent to Patti Meyers at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, W4279 Headquarters Road, Mayville, WI 53050. Comments may also be sent through the Web site www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/Horicon.
Horicon NWR history
The 21,417-acre Horicon NWR was established in 1941 and consists of a vast marsh surrounded by
upland grasses which supports over 223 species of birds and other diverse wildlife. The Horicon Marsh, covering 32,000 acres, is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States. Horicon Marsh is a
designated Wetland of International Importance and a Globally Important Bird Area.
For more information about Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, visit http://midwest.fws.gov/horicon or call 920/387-2658.
Fox River NWR history
The majority of Fox River NWR was acquired in 1979 for the purpose of protecting an area known as the Fox River Sandhill Crane Marsh from further drainage, as well as preserving associated upland habitat. Fox
River NWR, managed by staff at Horicon NWR, encompasses 1,004 acres of wetland and upland habitat along the Fox River in Marquette County.
Oak savanna uplands and sedge meadow wetland habitats are restored, preserved or enhanced on the refuge. Staff also manage the wildlife populations that use these habitats, with special emphasis on those
species dependent upon large expanses of natural marsh, such as the greater sandhill crane.
For more information about Fox River National Wildlife Refuge, visit http://mid west.fws.gov/foxriver, call 920/387-2658 or write to the Fox River
NWR, W4279 Headquarters Road, Mayville WI 53050.
To Top
DICK BEARDSLEY TO TEACH ONLINE MARATHON COURSE THROUGH LAKE SUPERIOR COLLEGE
Students run Grandma's Marathon or Bjorkland Half-Marathon as final exam
Duluth, Minnesota Now you can have Dick Beardsley as your personal trainer. The former Grandma's Marathon champion and longtime record holder will serve as instructor for Lake Superior College's new
online course, "Running a Marathon."
LSC recently announced two new online classes that allow students to earn physical education (PE) credits
by training for and running in Grandma's Marathon, or the Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon.
"I'm highly motivated to work online with students training for the marathon," Beardsley said. "This is a
unique college opportunity and I am pleased to help prepare my students to cross the finish line."
Beardsley, a two-time Grandma's champion, set the course record in 1981. Beardsley is also noted for
running the fourth fastest U.S. men's marathon of all time (Boston, 1982). In that race, he finished a close second to Alberto Salazar in a legendary race that has been dubbed "The Duel in the Sun."
After a series of crippling accidents resulting in painkiller addiction and treatment, Beardsley returned to the race scene, completing many best-time marathons. His newest venture is a marathon running camp, held
each summer in Waubun, Minnesota.
Beardsley is also a noted speaker and writer. In 2002, the Minnesota Meeting and Events Association
awarded Beardsley the Best Speaker award. That same year, the University of Minnesota Press published Beardsley's autobiography, Staying the Course: A Runner's Toughest Race.
Enrolled students will be required to complete online coursework, participate in and document a personal training program, and run a race to earn grades in the courses.
The courses begin March 21 and end June 24. In addition to tuition and standard fees, a special fee of $60 will be charged to provide guaranteed entry to the June 2005 Grandma's Marathon or Garry Bjorkland
Half-Marathon in Duluth and a unique LSC running shirt. To maintain flexibility for distant learners, students may also complete the course requirements by training for and running a comparable race at a different
location.
The Grandma's Marathon course follows the scenic north shore of Lake Superior, between Two Harbors and Duluth. The 29th annual Grandma's Marathon weekend is June 16-18, including the Garry Bjorklund
Half Marathon and William A. Irvin 5K.
Last year's events drew over 16,000 participants from 30 different countries and all 50 states. For more information, visit www.grandmasmarathon.com.
To Top
NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS WATER TRAILS SUMMIT, MARCH 4
The Northeastern Illinois Water Trail Council will host its Water Trails Summit on March 4 in Chicago. The purpose of the summit is to discuss strategies, goals and objectives for moving the implementation of the Northeastern Illinois Regional Water Trail Plan forward over the next several years.
The summit will feature speakers who have extensive knowledge of regional water trails and of water trail planning and advocacy. An overview of water trails within the region and summary of accomplishments
since the original plan was adopted five years ago will be highlighted.
Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn will be a guest speaker as will Gary Mechanic, access director for the Illinois
Paddling Council, along with representatives from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and local water trail stakeholders.
Water trail representatives will present information about the state of their trails. Summit attendees will also participate in group discussions concerning their water trails and to prioritize needs to further the
development of each one. The goal is to come away from the summit with a new prioritization of goals and objectives for the water trail system and to move forward with implementation.
To register for the summit, call Laura Barghusen at Openlands Project at 312/863-6253 or by e-mail at lbarghusen@openlands.org. Include your name, address, e-mail address or phone number when registering.
All summit attendees will need to bring picture identification for admittance to the summit to be held at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Lake Michigan Room, 12th floor, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago,
IL 60604.
To Top
HORRIBLY HILLY HUNDREDS, JUNE 18
chip timing, mass start added
efforts underway to improve relations with area communities
The Horribly Hilly Hundreds may well be the toughest one-day challenge ride in the Midwest. But as one of the brave participants this year, you can be the judge.
Two challenging HHH options await the cycling enthusiast: 100-kilometer and 200-kilometer routes, each with total elevation gains that make your heart race and your legs cry uncle.
Set in southwestern Wisconsin, the route starts in the village of Blue Mounds and makes its way west toward Barneveld before heading back up Mounds Park Road, a 3.5-mile, 900-foot climb to the finish.
The course is hilly horribly hilly and manages to find every climb (more than 40 significant ones) in the area.
Changes are in store for the third annual HHH ride on June 18. There will be a self-seeded 7 a.m. mass start in the village of Blue Mounds, which means no more shuttle buses. Park at the finish line and ride your
bike 1.5 miles downhill to the start.
This coming HHH will feature chip timing that will allow riders to start later than the main pack until 7:30
a.m. This event is nonetheless not a race, so please ride accordingly.
The first 14 miles of the route will be different, allowing riders to head up the longest climb on the route,
Mounds Park Road at around mile 10, and then once again at the finish. However, there will be no reduction in either distance or elevation gain, riders will be happy to know.
The HHH event is no longer associated with the Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce, although the organization continues to be a great source of information about lodging and other local attractions. See
www.trollway.com. The HHH committee is indebted to the chamber's support of the HHH event and their partnership for the first two years.
The HHH is now run as a nonprofit partnership between Viking Biking Club and Friends of Blue Mound State Park (FBMSP). Half of the profits from the ride will allow VBC to promote cycling safety and
education in the local and regional area and work with area villages and townships on safety issues, to promote bike safety rodeos at area schools, and support adult cycling education and motorist awareness
through groups such as the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin (BFW).
FBMSP's share of the proceeds will go toward park improvements, including mountain bike, cross-country
ski and hiking trail enhancements, as well as other park projects.
In light of the problems that bike events had with some area townships and villages in 2004, the VBC has
been working to address those issues, along with BFW and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Only through obeying the state rules of the road and displaying common courtesy to our ride-area neighbors
both during training and on event days can we assure the continuation of this and other cycling events in western Dane and eastern Iowa counties. Through our community grants and personal behavior, we hope to
change attitudes over time, and you can help.
The HHH now has a dedicated phone line should the Web site, www.horriblyhilly.com, not answer all of
your questions. Call 608/437-HURT (4878). Please allow our volunteers two business days to get back to you. Or, contact us at info@horriblyhilly.com for faster service.
To Top
FIRST TRANS-IOWA ENDURANCE CYCLING EVENT APRIL 23-24
Cyclists from the Midwest, both coasts and Canada will be in for a challenge as they participate in the first ever Trans-Iowa Ultra-Endurance Cycling Event across Iowa's gravel roads, April 23-24.
The 30-hour race begins at 8 a.m. in the western Iowa community of Hawarden. The course covers 310 miles, 98 percent of which will be gravel roads, 4 percent pavement and one mile of singletrack.
Racers will pass through Orange City, Primghar and Emmetsburg before reaching the halfway point in Algona, where support crews will await them. Racers will receive cue sheets for the second half of the race
at the Algona checkpoint.
The course will continue through Forest City, Osage and Cresco before concluding at 3 p.m. in Decorah.
The inaugural event is the brainchild of co-race directors, Mark Stevenson and Jeff Kerkove, bicycle mechanics at Europa Cycle and Ski Shop in Cedar Falls.
"We wanted to put together a 'gravel-grinder' through Iowa and wondered if there would be any interest in
it," Stevenson said. Stevenson said he and Kerkove were overwhelmed with the response from cyclists as well as sponsors asking to be involved with the event.
"Even though the race was promoted through just one Web site, it sold out in less than 24 hours," Stevenson said.
Kerkove added that the race is not for inexperienced cyclists. "Given the time frame for the event, racers
will most likely not have the option to sleep," he said. "The course will test their strength and play with their heads."
Racer Bruce Grell of Bettendorf agrees. "My teammates and I are always looking for a challenge," said
Grell, who races with Greg Aronson and Phil Curren on Team Dice. "This will be the hardest race we have done yet."
Participants in Trans-Iowa will race alongside Mike Curiak of Colorado, the 2004 winner of The Great Divide Mountain Bike Race from Canada to Mexico.
The top three men and two women to finish the Trans-Iowa Race will qualify for the World Solo 24 Hours of Adrenalin Championship race to be held in Whistler, British Columbia, September 3-4, 2005. Winners of
that event earn the largest cash prize for a 24-hour solo race.
For more information regarding Trans-Iowa, visit the Web site at www.transiowa.blogspot.com.
Lynne Voelliger
To Top
PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR ST. CROIX VALLEY TRAIL
Regional trail would link Afton to Point Douglas
Washington County, Wisconsin, officials are developing a master plan for a regional trail in the St. Croix Valley. Park staff has been working with city of Afton and Denmark Township officials over the past several years to set a framework for this project.
The study area is bordered by the city of Afton on the north, Point Douglas (near Prescott) on the south, the St. Croix River on the east, and County Trunk 21/St. Croix Trail on the west.
Within the study area, there are a number of major parks and open spaces, including Afton State Park, St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, Carpenter Nature Center, and Point Douglas Park. One of the goals of the
project is to use the regional trail to link these public and private amenities together.
The first discussions of a trail in this area occurred in the late 1970s. However that planning process was
opposed since it looked only at the abandoned rail bed along the river. In 1996, Washington County developed a linear park system master plan that recognized this opposition to the rail-bed option, but it also
recognized the value of having a trail somewhere in the area. The plan identified the entire area between County Trunk 21 and the river as a "search area."
Preparation for the current planning process began a few years ago when natural resource inventories were conducted in the city of Afton and Denmark Township. This data will be used in the next steps of the
planning process.
An ad hoc technical team has met periodically to help guide the trail planning process. Members of the team
include representatives from the city, township and public agencies that have oversight of projects in the river corridor. Washington County is the lead agency.
Early last year, a consultant was hired to develop a master plan for the St. Croix Valley Trail. Over the summer the consultant and technical team members reviewed the study area, developed a set of goals,
defined issues and outlined some trail alignment possibilities.
A variety of trail alignments are being considered, most of which involve a trail that winds down to the rail
bed in public areas and away from the rail bed in private areas.
The following is a general listing of pertinent issues that have been raised by the technical team:
"Stringing together the pearls" was a common theme, referring to the parks and open spaces in the study area.
The trail along Highway 95 from I-94 to Afton is popular with families and should be tied into this trail corridor.
The surface of the trail is likely to be asphalt for ease of use and maintenanc. Likely users will include hikers, bicyclists and in-line skaters. Horses and motorized users are not being considered.
A "greenway" approach should be pursued where possible, meaning the trail should tie into natural open space corridors in an ecologically sensitive way.
Bicyclists commonly use County Trunk 21. With no shoulder, it is very dangerous. Consider the potential of expanding the road to include shoulders for a bike route even if a separate trail is built.
Developing a "family friendly" trail is a common theme. In combination with improvements to County Trunk 21, all types of pedestrian trail uses should be able to be accommodated in the study area.
One of the most important goals is to minimize the impact on private properties while still providing a great
trail. The master plan needs to assure that people are treated fairly and that the rights of property owners, as well as other local perspectives are taken into consideration.
The reality that development in the area will continue to increase makes it that much more important to develop a trail master plan as soon as possible.
In addition to the regional trail, the master plan should identify other local trail and open space opportunities that the city and township can include in their local trail and open space plans.
The planning process has placed considerable emphasis on public input to determine the trail route that best serves the interests of citizens and property owners alike.
Project approval will be sought from the city of Afton, Denmark Township, the Washington County Board and the Metropolitan Council Parks and Open Space Commission.
To Top
ST. CROIX FALLS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL TRAILS DAY, JUNE 4
As part of National Trails Day, June 4, St. Croix Falls will celebrate its hiking trails with the first of what is hoped will be an annual St. Croix TrailFest.
While the schedule of events is still being organized, there definitely will be a kick off program at the city's downtown overlook deck, with music, hiking-related readings and the official release of a Ten Best Hiking
Trails brochure.
Guided hikes are planned on several trails, along with an art fair, family events both downtown and at Interstate State Park, probably a competitive 5K run on paved trails, and other activities.
Check the Polk County Information Center Web site, www.polkcountytourism.com, for details as they come available.
To Top
ON THE MINNESOTA SIDE, TAYLORS FALLS REORIENTS WITH RIVERWALK
Across the St. Croix River, in St. Croix Falls' twin (though smaller) community of Taylors Falls, Minnesota, a riverwalk project is in the planning stage, with construction scheduled for May, June and July.
The short riverwalk most of which will consist of a slightly elevated boardwalk will feature a 40-foot-long covered timber frame bridge, observation decks and heritage-oriented interpretive signage.
"It's the first phase of getting reoriented toward the river," said Bob Claybaugh, president of the Taylors Falls Economic Development Council.
Taylors Falls also is exploring the possibility of a separate pedestrian bridge attached to the support structure of the U.S. Highway 8 bridge to create a lower-to-the-river hikers' link between the Minnesota
and Wisconsin Interstate State Parks.
Like others, Taylors Falls resident Wade Vitalis believes such a connection would be "an incredible attraction" for both the parks and the two communities.
To Top
CHIPPEWA VALLEY ALSO A CONFLUENCE OF TRAILS
The bike trails of Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley including the Red Cedar, the Chippewa River and the Old Abe state trails are being enhanced and extended to the benefit of an increasing number of cycling tourists.
A number of initiatives are under way to connect more sections of the trail network and to open even more cycling routes.
One such construction project is the rebuilding of a bridge over Lake Wissota near Chippewa Falls. A former railroad bridge, the structure burned several years ago and rebuilding efforts will continue during the
2005 spring/summer biking season. When complete, the bridge will connect the Old Abe State Trail to the city trails of Chippewa Falls.
All three trails run adjacent to the Red Cedar or Chippewa rivers. The Dunnville Wildlife Area, Lake Wissota State Park and Brunet Island State Park provide trail stops from which to glimpse the abundant
natural wildlife from deer, osprey, waterfowl and wild turkeys to bald eagles.
A day of biking in the Chippewa Valley can also be capped with an evening of entertainment. The
communities of Menomonie, Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, located on the trails, provide a variety of theater, historic and cultural activities.
State trail passes are required for all participants 16 years or older for biking, in-line skating or horseback
riding on the Chippewa Valley trails. Passes, available along all area routes, are $4 a day and $15 for a year.
For more information call 888/523-3866 or visit www.chippewavalley.net.
To Top
CAN'T WAIT TO TRY THE TRESTLE BRIDGE TRAIL? THEN RUN THE FOX CITIES MARATHON
The 15th annual Community First Fox Cities Marathon plans to reroute the course to include the newly constructed Trestle Bridge Trail. On September 25, 2005, speed walkers, half-marathon and full-marathon
runners will likely hit the newly opened bridge three miles into the race.
"We are planning to run across the Trestle Trail Bridge in Menasha, cross our fingers," said Debbie Jansen,
event manager for the Fox Cities Marathon. "Everything looks great right now. The construction should be
done by Labor Day for the ribbon cutting. Our plan is to make our event the first special event to cross the Trestle Trail Bridge."
More than 3,500 people will run and walk across the bridge cheered on by fans in boats flanking the trail.
The Sunday marathon is part of a weekend of events in the Fox Cities. Saturday features a 5K kids run,
along with Appleton's Oktoberfest. Marathon coordinators offer free shuttles running from Oktoberfest to race sites.
"There will be hundreds of thousands of people here. Many people come for the whole weekend," Jansen said.
The Fox Cities Marathon course is USATF certified and meets the requirements as a Boston Marathon qualifying race. For more information, go to www.foxcitiesmarathon.org.
|
