Black Hawk Ridge Details

Preliminary Info for 2024

8K and 16K

Sunday, October 20, 10:00 am
Maximum 270 runners

Event Info

Runner check-in 8:30-9:45; both runs start 10:00
Chip timed.
We're continuing our tradition of a surprise non-shirt giveaway item.
Post-run soup, bread, and cookies for runners. Buy an extra lunch ticket for family/friends if they are coming along.
Overall and age group awards for the fast. Door prizes for the lucky!
Parking is limited; please car pool if you can.
For the 16K, we will have a cutoff time of 1 hour, 45 minutes to complete the first 10K, so that all runners and volunteers can be off the course in time for soup. If you want to run 16K but are concerned about making the cutoff, contact us about an early start.
Results will be posted on the trail run website.

Trail Description

The 8K and 16K courses begin together with a scenic prairie loop to the north. Then runners will divide and the 8K course runs South along the ridge top with dips down a few side valleys, taking you through restored prairie, hardwood forest, and pine plantation with views of the Wisconsin River valley and beyond. The 16K heads to the bottom of the ridge to tour the Wisconsin Heights battlegrounds. You'll climb back up to the top of the ridge, then rejoin the 8K course, pass by the cabin, and head out for the last 6K of your event.

Awards

Overall m/f top three

10-year m/f age groups beginning at <20 for the 8K and 16K (to 70+ for the 16K and 80+ for the 8K). Awards for top 3 in each group.

Location

The Black Hawk Unit is located 18 miles northwest of Madison in Dane County. Take State Highway 12 north to County Highway Y, west to State Highway 78, south 1 mile to Wachter Road on left. Parking is at the top of Wachter Road.

Benefit

Proceeds benefit Groundswell Conservancy (formerly Natural Heritage Land Trust) and the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Fund. Groundswell works to protect special places, forever, in the Dane County area. The Riverway Fund supports the DNR wildlife habitat restoration and management activities along the Lower Wisconsin River.