Race Review: The North Face Endurance Challenge - Wisconsin
"Disclaimer: I received a free entry to The North Face Endurance Challenge WI as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!"
September 18th, 2016
Kettle Moraine State Park
Eagle, WI
This was my second year running this race. If you're ever on the fence about any of The North Face Endurance Challenge Series events, just go for it! They put on such an awesome event and it becomes a whole experience rather than just a race!
ECSWI is a two-day event. I participated in the half marathon on Sunday. There was also a 10K, 5K, and a kid's race. The half marathon started at 8:00 am, which allowed me to sleep in an extra half hour. I had about a 40 minute drive to the park, so the slightly later start was much appreciated!
Runners were able to pick up their packets race morning if they didn't get a chance to pick up from the Chicago, Brookfield, or Madison stores that hosted pick up.
Race morning was a beautiful 50-ish degrees (although it heated up once the sun was out in full force) with hardly any clouds, perfect for running!
Angie, another Pro who was running, and I were seeded in Wave 5. We toed the start line and counted down, then we were off!
BibRave Pro Angie and myself at the start.
The first few miles of this race are very up and down. Some of the ups are pretty steep and definitely worth walking up so that your legs don't get tired right out of the gate. The course is marked extremely well, with colored ribbon (the color you follow corresponds to the color of the race bibs) every 50-100 feet. Turns were marked by a sign and in some areas with a course marshall as well.
The course has 4 aid stations about 3-ish miles apart. Each one was stocked with Tailwind, water, and Clif Shots. All the volunteers were so awesome and cheered us on as we came through!
Angie and I ran the whole race together and had such a blast! I hardly even looked at my watch (which I obsess over when I'm running alone) and she definitely kept me moving even when internally I was telling myself "you should stop and take a walk break!" We also brightened the course photographers' day with our extreme enthusiasm :)
I was so proud to cross the finish line with her!
Official time: 2:38:06
At the finish, each runner receives their medal along with a reusable Endurance Challenge water bottle (props for getting rid of the plastic water bottles!) and there was a giant water dispenser that you could fill your water bottle up with. Tailwind was also available. For food, there were cut up oranges, bagels, bananas, BPI Sports Best BCAA drink mix and protein bars and Epic protein bars (they have meats such as pork and bison mixed with fruit).
Each runner was able to go to the Sierra Nevada "beer garden" and get a free beer - there were 4 options.
Repreve, which is a brand that turns plastic bottles into new products, had a spin wheel where you could win different swag from them including shopping totes, drawstring bags, shirts, and towels.
The North Face had a tent set up with corn hole and you could play to win lots of North Face swag. I won a trucker hat with yaks on it. :)
The whole finish line festival vibe encourages people to hang around and enjoy the vendors and booths as well as the food available for purchase (pulled pork/turkey sandwiches, fruit, chips, and cookies) and some beer.
I give this race 5 stars and I would recommend this race to anyone!
Check out my review on BibRave!