(Newswire.net — April 7, 2015) Norwalk, Wisconsin — Rails to Trails Races is excited to announce that this year’s race date is Sunday, November 1, 2015. The event features a 5k, half marathon and full marathon, as well as the Spaghetti Dinner at Packet Pickup on Saturday, October 31, 2015 and the Chicken Q following race completion.
The Rails to Trails Racing event began in 2007 and has grown every year, attracting hundreds of walkers and runners for its unique and scenic route. Race to Trails is a Boston Marathon Qualifier but offers something for everyone with a 5K, half marathon and even a One Mile Fun Run.
As described by the Elroy-Sparta Trail on their website, the entire trail is “32 miles in length on the abandoned Chicago & North Western Railroad bed and passes through three rock tunnels. The three century-old railroad tunnels highlight the trail. The tunnels are dark and cool, even on the brightest days, and water from springs above the tunnels can trickle onto the trail. The Trail is covered with limestone screenings and provides a smooth riding surface. The bridges are covered with planks and are guarded with railings.” This makes Rails to Trails one of the most unique and exciting walks or runs in which you will ever participate.
While the Rails to Trails walkers and runners cover only a portion of the trail, the route does pass through the Norwalk tunnel, nearly ¾ of a mile long. The starting point is the Norwalk Village Park. It runs up the bike trail, and through the tunnel where you will see the turn-around point and return along the same path to the finish line. Along the way there will be several aid stations to help you along.
The Rails to Trails Races is just as well known for its outstanding volunteers as it is for the scenic trail. Each year, the event is fortunate to have several different groups and other volunteers to man the aid stations, support the start and finish line, park vehicles, serve beverages and food as well as set up and tear down. If you would like to volunteer, you can register at their website, www.railstotrailsraces.com.
Money raised by the event goes to pay the expenses for the event the following year. The Rails to Trails organization then donates 100% of the remaining funds to the community. Past support includes donations to community organizations, scholarships, providing handicap accessible playground equipment to two local playgrounds, tables for the community center, creek restoration, maintaining the Elroy-Sparta bike trail, flowers for the downtown Norwalk area and much more.
For more information, contact the event organizers at their Facebook page or website.