From the Race Directors:
Thank you for signing up for the Second Annual Hixon 50 in beautiful Hixon Forest in La Crosse, WI. The trails
are
in great condition and as we speak are being cleared of leaves and branches. The weather looks like
i
t is
going to be a beautiful late October day in Wisconsin! (Low: ~50, High: ~60, heavy fog in the morning,
mostly
cloudy, strong breeze)
To ensure the best event for all participants, please be sure to read through all of the following instructions
and information for the race. If any questions still exist, please don't hesitate to contact us at hixon50@grandbluffrunning.com. We can't wait to see you all on Sunday!
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The Hixon 50 25k/50k Trail Race (2
nd
annual):
Race Date: Sunday October 30th, 2016
Start Location: Upper Hixon Trails on Cty. Rd. FA by the big white weather ball
The Hixon 50 Trail Run Race Description:
The Hixon 50 is La Crosse's only ultra-marathon. The course travels through Hixon forest, nestled in
the middle of bluff country. Enjoy views of the Mississippi River Valley from over 600 feet up in the air while tackling a variety of trail terrain.
It all started when local trail runners Tyler Heinz (Owner of Grand Bluff Running), Michael Borst
(Ultramarathoner) and Jake Hegge (Physical Therapist, ultramarathoner) thought it would be great to share and display the
amazing trail systems that La Crosse has to offer. All three have competed in several trail races throughout
the Midwest and decided that the La Crosse area needed an ultra, and so it began in 2015!
Race Start/Cutoffs:
No early starts. You must start at your race's start time.
50k Sunday October 30
th
, 2016 7:39 am (sunrise)
Cutoff: 5:30pm
25k Sunday October 30th
, 2016 8:30am
Cutoff: 5:30pm
Packet Pick-Up
Packet pickup will be on Saturday October 29
th
from 10am-6pm at
Grand Bluff Running
(509 Main St.
La Crosse, WI 54601) and day of the race near the start/finish area. Day of packet pickup will open at
6:00 AM at the start/finish area.
You will need to check in on race day at the registration table if you pick up your packet early.
Kwik Trip Klimb:
New to this year's event is a race within the races. This event connects the two distances in one overall competition to see who the fastest climber is. The segment that will be awarded is the final climb of the race, from the base of Bicentennial Trail to the finish/25k line. 25k runners will have one shot at the time, while the 50k athletes will run two laps of the course, so therefore will have two chances to run the section. A special award will be given to the one overall winner, between BOTH races.
Pre-Race Briefing
There will be a short pre-race briefing about 10 minutes prior to the start of each race.
Parking:
Parking will be available in the grassy field across from the weather station and race start/finish area.
Please try your best to carpool. Volunteers will be on site to assist with parking. Please do not park on
the side of the road until the grass lot is full.
Refunds/Transfers/Switches:
Please note that entry fees are non-refundable under any circumstances, race registrations are not
transferable to other participants, and we do not allow transfers between distances at this point in time.
What to Expect:
A well-marked course with plenty of aid and friendly, experienced volunteers. All finishers will receive a customized mug served with homemade applesauce. Each runner will receive a complimentary post
race breakfast and a Saucony long sleeve shirt.
Race Numbers:
You must wear your race number and it must be clearly visible at all times.
Timing
We will be using Chronotrack Systems chip timing for this event, courtesy of Grand Bluff Race Management. Please make sure that your full bib is unfolded, as it can mess with the chip attached to the back
.
Please refrain from passing back through the finish line area after you have finished. This leads to confusion
with the race management staff.
Course Markings:
The entire course will be heavily marked. There will be turn signs at all intersections and pink tape blocking
off possible wrong turns. Please stay on the marked trail and avoid cutting switchbacks.
Trail vandalism is not unheard of, so please be aware of your surroundings. At certain locations in the race, course marshals will be utilized to direct runners. Please do your best to study the course maps prior to the
event.
Please note that the trails will be open to the public. Signs will be used to inform the public that a
race is in progress. Kindly warn the individuals that you are approaching.
Aid Stations
.
The aid stations are manned by experienced volunteers. Many of them are dedicating their entire day to
make sure you have the best experience possible, please be sure to thank them!
Food and Drink -Water, Silver Star Endurance Drink (similar to "Tail Wind", but locally sourced from New Lisbon, WI), VFuel gel, Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, PBJ Sandwiches, Potato Chips, Potatoes & Salt, Cookies, Fig Bars, Candy, S Tabs, and Fruit.
*If you have special dietary requirements, please make sure to make use of your drop bag at the
Start/Finish area.
Drop Bags
You can keep a drop bag near the start / finish area, which is also the 5k, 25k and 30k mark in the 50k race. Please
make sure that your drop bag is labeled and sealed.
Pacers:
Pacers are not allowed for the 25k or 50k race.
Crew:
Due to the limited availability for parking at the aid stations, we ask that crew/spectators stay near the
start/finish area. Please respect the safety of the runners and leave your vehicle in the parking lot. You
are welcome to run/walk to the other aid stations, but there will not be enough room to park your vehicles.
Medical:
UW-La Crosse athletic training students and certified athletic trainers will be at aid stations to assist with
any injuries, cuts, or scrapes. La Crosse Fire and Rescue will be on site to handle any first aid, trauma,
or rescue operations, should there be a worst case type scenario during the event.
Headphones
We discourage their use however we won't tell you can't wear them . Full awareness of one's surroundings,
and the ability to communicate with other participants, race volunteers, and trail users unassociated with
the event are critical for safety. Please use your common sense.
Littering:
Don't do it. If you see some trash someone else has dropped, pick it up. Keep the trail clean.
If you are caught littering, you will be disqualified and banned from future races. Aid stations are only a few
miles apart and a tiny gel wrapper is not going to slow you down. Garbage cans will be provided at every
aid station.
If You DNF:
Should you need to drop out of the race, remove your number and give it directly to the aid station captain
you are dropping out at. If you leave the course and fail to notify race officials, you will be asked not to
come back.
50k Athletes:
Dropping out of the 50k at the 25K mark. Because both distances are not starting at the
same time and trail conditions may vary throughout the day, you will not receive an official 25k time, nor
receive finisher awards. If, before race day you do not think that you will be able to finish the full 50K
distance, please email Tyler (Race Director) at
tyler@grandbluffrunning.com
to discuss possible options.
Awards:
Top 3 Overall Male and Female for both events
1st place Open (age 39 - under) Male and Female
1st place Masters (age 40 - 49) Male and Female
1st place Senior Masters (age 50 - over) Male and Female
Top overall finishers will not be included in age division awards.
No ties. Awards will be presented as runners finish or shortly after they finish - there will be no formal
awards ceremony.
Post-Race Meal:
We will be serving breakfast food post-race. Breakfast will consist of eggs, bacon, sausage, bagels
and chocolate milk. Runners and volunteers only please.
Cabin Coffee has generously provided coffee for the full event. (Please visit them in downtown La Crosse on your way in and/or out of town to thank them!)
Results:
Results will be posted LIVE as runners finish the race HERE
Want to see your results on site? We will have a results kiosk tent set up to check results ready immediately after crossing the finish line.
Live Updates:
Family or friends want live updates as soon you cross the 25k mark, or finish line? Want to auto post your results to your Facebook page? Check out the new Athlete Update page and sign up for notifications!
Lost and Found
Any items left after the race will be donated. We will not ship them to you.
Volunteers:
We can always use more. Friends and family not really sure what to do while you are out running?
They can always help out for a couple hours. Learn more by visiting the volunteer section of the website. www.hixon50.com/volunteers.html
Hixon 50 - Proceeds:
Proceeds from the Hixon 50 are donated to the City of La Crosse Trail Maintenance Fund to continue
and improve upon the beautiful trails of Hixon Forest.
Next year's race date:
Next year's race will take place on Oct. 29th, 2017. Early registration will be open shortly after the
conclusion of this year's race at a great discount.
