
From the Organizer
Join us on Oct 3rd for the Trail Run At Indian Lake!
Race Routes - SHORT (5.8KM) & LONG (10.5KM)
Course Description:
Starting in a beautifully restored sedge meadow in the wetlands surrounding Indian Lake - a kettle lake created in the retreat of the last glaciers, you'll soon trade the prairie path for trees and dirt. And hills. Indian Lake County Park marks the extent of the last glaciation, meaning you can expect the steeper slopes associated with the Driftless Region, and we make full use of these slopes for the run!
Part of the route joins the Ice Age Trail National Scenic Trail (which traverses the entire glacial extent across Wisconsin).
As you trek through the forested middle of the course, reflect that Dane County Parks will be purchasing 300 acres south of the current boundary and start dreaming of more hills!
As you work towards the end of the race, take a moment to appreciate the active oak savanna restoration that is underway. Oak savanna used to dominate the landscape here, but is now incredibly rare. Through the work of county staff and Friends of Indian Lake volunteers, restoration of 170-acres of oak savanna is in progress!
SWAG
Help us clear out the garage this year! All participants can select a swag item from previous years - we have TRAIL branded: running socks, lightweight gloves, winter beanies, trucker caps, short-brim caps, and technical running t's.
(We are also planning a small run of premium merch that will be available for purchase on race morning.)
The T.R.A.I.L. is Cup-Free!
Nothing kills the vibe of running through the forest like coming up on an aid station littered with discarded single-use cups. Sure, our volunteers would clean up afterwards, but in an effort to reduce our impact on the natural areas we love, we are going cup-free!
There will not be paper cups at aid stations or at the start/finish. If you expect needing hydration on-course, you are responsible for bringing your own cup/bottle/bladder. We will have water dispensers at aid stations to top-off.
Going cup-free is a significant step to bringing our event closer to zero-waste and being better stewards of our public lands.
Check out this resource for why and how to go cup-free: https://nuunlife.com/blogs/news/byoc-ace-your-next-cupless-race
After Party
Our celebration of Fall, trails, and Indian Lake doesn't end at the finish line! The Currach Irish Trio will once again be headlining while we enjoy food, beverage, and awards.
Schedule (subject to minor change)
RACE WEEK (date/time TBD) - Early packet pick-up at Movin' Shoes (https://g.page/movinshoes?share)
Saturday, Oct 3rd
- 7:30 AM - Race HQ is open for packet pick-up
- 8:30 AM - Free Kids Run
- 9:00 AM - LONG & SHORT race start
~ 10:00 AM - Awards, Raffle, and Live Music for SHORT course
~ 10:30 AM - Awards, Raffle, and Live Music for LONG course
Join the Friends of Indian Lake for a celebration of Fall, trail running, community, and public lands! All proceeds support the Friends’ work with Dane County Parks to preserve and enhance Indian Lake County Park.
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
67°
Typical Low
43°
Chance of Rain
37%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Sauk City Wwtp, 7 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
4,059
as of 2023
City Elevation
919 ft
Nearest Airport
MSN
Dane County Regional Truax Field · 15 mi
Major Hub
MKE
General Mitchell International Airport · 89 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A small town race. Lodging near the start could be limited, so book early.
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Trail Run At Indian Lake, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
108
Days to train
Coming Up
Father's Day 5k - Norm Esser Memorial Run - Knights of Columbus Council 3924 Charity Fundraiser
6 miles away
Eagle Chase Fire on the River 2026
9 miles away
WaunaFest Run
8 miles away
37th Annual Library Run Walk
9 miles away
From Endurance Grid
This race spans more than one sport — here’s a guide to each, so you can understand what’s involved and decide if it’s the right fit. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Running off-road — dirt, singletrack, and mountain paths — from 5Ks to ultras. The terrain, not the pace, is the whole point.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Trail Run At Indian Lake
Oct 3, 2026