The 5th Annual Rails to Trails Marathon will take place Sunday, November 4, 2012.

Known for its steady and challenging uphill stretches that await runners along the first few miles of the course, the Rails to Trails Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run takes runners and walkers on a tour of the Elroy Sparta State Trail, a former railroad that’s been converted into a 32-mile paved recreational trail that winds through the small towns and countryside areas of southwestern Wisconsin between towns of Elroy and Sparta, and features three long tunnels that hikers, walkers, bikers and runners can pass through — one of which runners will run through during the race.

Marathon Summary

The Marathon start time is 8:00 AM and is a Boston Qualifier (Certification # WI-08024-DM).  The course is from Norwalk to Sparta featuring a ¾ mile train tunnel.  The course starts in the Norwalk Village Park, heads Southeast of Norwalk Village Park approx. 1.5 miles & then turns around and heads back to the Norwalk Village Park and then heads Northwest approx. 11.5 miles and then loops back to the Village Park to complete the course.

Half Marathon Summary

The Half Marathon start time is 9:00 AM.  The course is from Norwalk toward Sparta featuring a ¾ mile train tunnel.  The course starts in the Norwalk Village Park, heads Northwest on the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail.  The course follows an out and back configuration that returns to the Norwalk Village Park.

5K Run Walk Summary

The 5K Run Walk start time is 10:00 AM.  The 5K course starts in the Norwalk Village Park, heads Northwest on the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail 2.5K, turns around to a finish back in the Village Park.

1 Mile Fun Run Summary

The 1 mile Fun Run start time is 11:00 AM.  The 1 Mile Fun Run course will start in the Norwalk Village Park and travel ½ mile Northwest, turn around and return to the Village Park.

Race Weather & Climate

Located in the southwestern corner of the state, just over 40 miles from the border with Minnesota and about 2 1/2 hours from Madison, the town of Norwalk typically experiences cold weather conditions in the mid-fall season, with occasional wet or frozen precipitation. In November, average monthly temperatures range between 40°F and 26°F, while precipitation totals average around 2.54 inches for the month.

Websites for More Information

  Visit these websites for more information regarding Registration fees and awards:  www.railstotrailsrace.com and www.elroy-sparta-trail.com