Full disclosure-- I have DNFed at the Ice Age 50 mile 2 years in a row...both times at mile 40. Despite that devastation (especially this year, after getting sick about 35 miles in and not being able to continue after 40), I will try again for a 3rd time next year. The good thing about stopping at mile 40 is that you do get to see the whole course, which consists of a 9 mile loop on the equestrian/nordic trails in Wisconsin, and two out and backs on the Ice Age Trail (Mile 40 is at the turnaround on the 2nd out and back). I love this race--the scenery, the aid stations, the race management, and yes, even the hills.

The course is deceivingly difficult. After my DNF in 2014, I read a race review that described it as "death by a thousand paper cuts"-- a description that is shockingly accurate. There are a ton of hills, none of them very long. If my memory serves me correctly, which it may not have been at that point in the race, there are some pretty brutal hills between 33 and 35, which you hit again when you turn back around. Although the climbs are fairly short, they are constant throughout the race. Climb a small hill over and over and over for 50 miles and you've got your death by a thousand paper cuts. You also add those hills on top of a lot of technical single track, and it's quite a doozey. On the first out and back, as you get past about (for me at least) mile 17, it can get a little crowded, as you have runners going in both directions (there's a turnaround at mile 21). This happens again as you near the turnaround at 40. The most important thing here is to remember trail etiquette, and be polite to the other runners. Everyone is there for the same reason--no need to get cranky.

The aid stations at the race are always stocked, and the volunteers always ready and willing to help. They have the pretty standard foods you would find at an ultra--oranges, bananas, sandwiches, potatoes, trail mix, chips, cookies, coke, ginger ale, and of course water. There are 4 points in the race where the 50 milers have access to a drop bag, which is a huge help--it means that you don't have to haul 50 miles worth of nutrition with you from the beginning. The course is very clearly marked the whole way. The one confusing part (appropriately named "Confusion Corner") that you hit about 10 miles in always has a volunteer stationed there to direct you where to go.

The cool thing about this race is that they also offer training runs. I unfortunately haven't been able to make either of them in the last 2 years, but if you can make them I would highly recommend getting some experience on that course. They offer a 34 mile training run 4 or 5 weeks before the race, and a 19 mile one 3 weeks before. As far as I know the training run is unsupported--the race director just supplies the course and a starting point--BYO-water&nutrition

I'll add this in here to finish, just because everyone is always wondering-- there are no port-o-potties at the aid stations. There are bathrooms at the start/finish area, that you also pass at mile 9. For most of the race, the woods is your bathroom, so act appropriately and stash baby wipes in you pack. There are plenty of places to discreetly pull off the trail--just make sure to wear bug spray and check for ticks when you get home.

Ice Age-- I'll see you in 2016. We've got some things we need to discuss.