The National Watermelon Day races at Pike Lake are the fifth race in the Wisconsin Trail Assail series through the summer/fall. This specific race is billed as the toughest in the series by the organizers at Silver Circle Sports.

As with all of their races, packet pick-up is either the day before at a local running store (Performance Running Outfitters) or at the race in the morning. You'll get your bib and your shirt, and away you go.

Speaking of the shirt, this might be my favorite of the series so far. A vibrant (not neon) green with the race logo on the front. Sponsors and a slogan on the back.

For this race, the Half starts at 8, the 10k at 8:10, and the 5k at 8:20. This is because after about a quarter mile, you hit some double track trails, which will eventually turn to single track. Really, once you get into the woods, it's an uphill climb to the water tower; the highest point in the park. And you better believe you climb to the top of the 55ft watch tower.

After descending the tower, you'll head back down the switchbacks, which get a little crowded with others coming up. Once back on the main trail, the 10k and Half split to do the outside loop of the park, while the 5k head toward the inside loop. For the outside loop, it's a time for recovery/speed if you're out there. Mostly flat, if not a little downhill for about 2 miles.

The outside loop eventually comes back to merge with the 5k. Quickly you'll descend, and then climb, the steepest hills of the race before the leaving the woods. Out in a field, you've got one more challenging climb. There's one more split for runners. The 10k/Half split off to do an out and back down a flat gravel service road while the 5k turns left into the finish.

Again, the 10k/Half rejoin the 5k for the last half mile or so to the finish. Reemerging on the beach, the 5k and 10k head straight to the finish, while the Half heads out for another loop (and another climb up the tower).

The trail series typically has one of the best post race spreads with food, fresh fruit (including watermelon...duh, water, and beer).

Personally, I'd say Pike Lake is the second toughest of the courses in the series, but you'll definitely want to bring your quads for all the climbs.