Latest reviews by Ben Lamers

(2019)
"Vets Day"
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The Vets Day 5k/10k is the first of Silver Circle Sports Events winter series (The Chilly Willy Series) each year. With snow on the ground in Wisconsin, this one definitely lived up to that name.

Historically, packet pickup for SCSE races are at a local running store, but this winter they are at the company HQ. The series is using dynamic bibs for the first time, so it hasn't rolled out to running stores yet. So the "expo" was in the warehouse/HQ for the company. In addition to bib and race shirt, runners could sign up for the entire winter series, the 2020 Trail series, the Christmas lights 5k, and/or purchase shirts from races this summer. For runners who ordered series gear, it could be picked up here as well.

The race is hosted at Menomonee Park, one of two winter races and one of three overall hosted here. There is ample parking on the south side of the lake (the start/finish as well) and additional lots in the park.

All races in the Chilly Willy series have an indoor area before the race. While this one was cramped, it was indoors and had indoor bathrooms, so tough to complain about that.

The 5k and 10k start at the same time, which is no problem. The course itself is pretty easy, a loop around the park with an out and back to the other pavilion (which is the start/finish of the other race here) and another out and back to the entrance of the park. 5k does the loop once, 10k twice.

The course is mostly flat, but has some sneaky hills in the last mile. This year, those were made a little tougher with a headwind heading out in that section. For perspective, I got about 106ft of gain (according to Garmin) and most of that is in that last mile.

The shirt of the race, and the winter series (I believe) is cotton, so nothing to write home about. But a nice shirt with a nice design. Medals are given to top 3 age division.

Silver Circle Events always puts on a well organized and great race day, and this one was no exception.

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(2019)
"Milwaukee's Great Gobble Wobble"
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The Great Gobble Wobble is the Turkey Trot (one of four in the Milwaukee area) put on by Silver Circle Events. In fact, there is a Gobble Wobble in Oconomowoc and Milwaukee, but this review is for the Milwaukee race.

Let's start with packet pickup for the race, although it was pretty standard. Pickup is either done the day before the race at Silver Circle's race HQ, or on race morning. Either way, it's super easy with dynamic bib assignment the process takes a minute or two at most. If you attend pickup at the HQ, you do have the opportunity to sign up for other races, buy series gear, or old race shirts at that venue.

Fast forward to race morning. Parking at the Botanical gardens was super easy, although admittedly I'm not sure if I properly followed the parking directions.

All of the Silver Circle winter races boast having an indoor area, and this was no exception. Granted, the indoor facility available at the Botanical gardens wasn't huge, but it was still an indoor location. There was also an indoor bathroom, which was another plus to this area.

Let's talk about the race. In our pre race email, Silver Circle called the event "Scenic and sloped." AKA: This is a hilly course. The start/finish is at the top of a hill, which means you can enjoy the downhill start, but be ready for the grind coming back at the end.

Mostly, the course features a lot of short rollers. Nothing too bad, but enough to throw off pacing a little. The challenge on this one came right around the 2 mile mark, with a beast of a climb. While the downhill part is nice, climbing a large somewhat steep hill 2/3 into a 5k is brutal. The rest of the way back is downhill/flat until you charge back up the hill you started on to the finish.

I will note that the roads in the Botanical gardens were not so well maintained. So be aware of potholes, patches, and a decent amount of uneven surface.

The gardens also had all of their Christmas lights and decorations out. This made for kind of a weird ambiance at a Thanksgiving race.

Let's talk swag. I actually really liked the participant shirt in this one! While it's a cotton shirt, I loved the design and color (orange). Definitely something I'll wear moving forward.

All in all, this was a superb race, as with most of the Silver Circle races. If you're in Milwaukee for Thanksgiving and looking for a challenging course, a well organized race, and some post race hot chocolate; you've found it!

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(2019)
"New Year, New Ownership"
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T-Shirts/SWAG
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Parking/Access
Race Management

The Pumpkin Run is the first race of the Winter Run Series in SE Wisconsin. For the last 15 years, Lighthouse Events has been in charge of these races, but this year ownership changed to Race Day Events. There were definitely some bumps in the road with new ownership, which we'll get to below.

Packet pickup was held either on race morning or the day before at Performance Running Outfitters. I went the day before. This was mostly smooth, other than the fact that packet pickup was delayed about 10 minutes. Of course, I only knew that because I was there for pickup after the morning run from the store.

Parking in downtown Oconomowoc on a Sunday morning can be a bit tricky due to church, restaurants, etc. I arrived early enough that I was able to land a spot in one of the bigger lots, but I did see a lot of cars driving around looking for spots. Mentally, it also didn't help me that the map provided by the race wasn't laid out too great. Oh well.

My only other negative about race morning was the lack of an indoor shelter. For most races this isn't a huge deal, but in a Winter Series you'd like to have it. 40 degrees is a bit cool for being outside before a race (yes I know, I could've sat in the car). I did think there could have been more porta-pods in the start area, but I know space can be an issue in downtown.

The race itself went off without a hitch. The course was easy to follow, mile markers were accurate, and the only tricky turn had a sign directing runners where to go. It was a mostly flat route, a couple small hills, but a good run through the neighborhoods around Fowler Lake.

The biggest hurdle with this race was the post-race. In past years, runners could head over to the race tent, give their bib number, and get there official time, overall place, and age group award. It literally took less than a minute. New ownership did not have that in place. For age group awards, and results, they directed runners to their website, but did not have anyone available to pass out awards to age group winners. It took a solid hour before they had someone in that tent for awards/age group, and it was all done manually checking through overall results. Wildly inefficient.

Now let's talk swag! The shirts had a nice design this year (way better than last year TBH). The drawback was that the shirts are definitely not running shirts, as they are just soft cotton. I always struggle with cotton running shirts. Comfortable? Yes. Practical for running? Nope. And not all of us wear our running shirts just...around.

The race also gives out finisher medals (which I don't love for a 5k/10k). My issue was that the race gave out the SERIES finisher medals at packet pickup, before the first race. I get that they're all about the swag. But come on, that's not something that should be passed out before the first race of a series that ends in March.

Definitely some issues with the first race under new ownership. The next race in the series is held in November. Hopefully some of these issues (mainly timing) get fixed up as the series goes on

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(2019)
"Pike Lake Climbs"
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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.

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(2019)
"Firecracker 4"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
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Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

The Firecracker 4 is easily the premier 4th of July race in the Milwaukee area. Lots of runners, and lots of fast runners. Plus, being in SE WI in July, you can bank on the weather not cooperating (aka it's gonna be warm).

You'll have two options for packet pickup. Grab it at Performance Running Outfitters the day or two before the race, or grab it race morning at the park. The line always looks long at the park, so again this year I opted for pickup at the store.

Parking for the race is dictated tremendously by when you arrive. This year, an additional road was blocked for a new parade route (construction) reducing the street parking spots. If you arrive early enough, you can park in a lot right by the start finish line (which is what I did). The streets do have parking, just be sure to not park along the course.

At the beginning of the race, it's super crowded. Obviously, this factors into race strategy. Either hang back, or get out in front of others around you. Neither is great, but those are your options. Overall, the first mile is slightly downhill, and the second mostly flat. Miles three and four are where the hills (and pain) come into play. The finish is a long stretch on grass in the park.

There is one aid station just a smidge after the second mile marker, but you can pick up water (and run through sprinklers) from spectators watching the race. The entire route goes through neighborhoods, so you'll have plenty of people out supporting.

Post race there is food, water, and beer. Basically all the essentials.

Personally, I liked the race shirt in 2019 better than years past. Red with the race logo. Typically the race shirt is soft; great for wearing but probably not something you would run in.

Overall, this is another top notch event put on by the Badgerland Striders. If it wasn't, then next year's race wouldn't be the 42nd year of the race. Also, this is an affordable option as well; so don't pass it up if you're in the area!

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