Driftless Gateway Trails Festival
WHERE:
CXC Outdoor Recreation & Sports Center
4355 Schwartz Road
Middleton, WI 53562
WHEN:
October 5, 2024
- This event has passed.
*Stay tuned for more information on the 2025 event!
The inaugural Driftless Gateway Trails Festival will be on Oct. 5 at the CXC Outdoor Community Center’s trailhead at 4355 Schwartz Road in Middleton, Wisconsin. This festival celebrates the area’s dynamic trail networks and showcases the natural beauty and recreational opportunities at the gateway to the Southwest Wisconsin “Driftless Area.”
See below for more details on the event, or follow this link: https://driftlessgateway.com
LODGING
Stay in one of Middleton’s nine hotels:
Country Inn & Suites
Courtyard by Marriott
Fairfield Inn & Suites
Hilton Garden Inn
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Marriott Madison West-Middleton
Residence Inn
Staybridge Suites
TownePlace Suites
LIVE MUSIC
10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
SCHEDULE
8:30 AM / Gateway Half Marathon Run Start
9:30 AM / Gateway 10K Run Start
10:30 AM / Gateway 5K Run/Walk Start
11:15 AM / Awards
Noon / Kid’s Warm Up & 1K Run Start
1 PM / Mt. Bike Event Start
4 PM / Final Mt. Bike Event Finish Cut-Off
Event Details
TRAIL RUN
13.1 Mile Half-Marathon
This is a fantastic course for experienced trail runners. It features a challenging mix of technical terrain and significant elevation changes.
10K and 5K
This course offers a balanced experience with moderate elevation and technicality. It’s suitable for those newer to trail running, providing a good challenge without being overly demanding.
MOUNTAIN BIKE ADVENTURE CHALLENGE
Join us for an “Alley Cat” style mountain bike ride – a fun scavenger hunt on wheels. Two-person or family teams will navigate through trails to complete over a dozen checkpoints, all while adhering to trail directions. This adventure challenge will emphasize navigation skills and adaptability rather than formal race regulations and promote camaraderie among riders to showcase the agility and versatility of mountain biking.
Intermediate-level riding is required for the Mountain Bike Adventure Challenge event. If you’re unsure of your skill level, visit Middleton Bike Park and ensure you can comfortably ride all the blue trails.
PARKING
The Driftless Gateway Trails Festival will take place at the CXC Outdoor Community Center’s Trailhead, located at 4355 Schwartz Road in Middleton.
We anticipate that the CXC Outdoor Community Center, Middleton Bike Park parking lots, and overflow parking along the access drive to the Trailhead will fill up quickly. There is ample public parking available around the Greenway Station area, just a one-mile walk, bike ride, or jog to the start area using South Fork Trail. We encourage both participants and spectators to use public parking and consider carpooling to help maximize parking space.
Drop-offs can be made at the top of the access drive to the Trailhead, where event volunteers will be on hand to assist and guide you.
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