Trail Run At Indian Lake
- Date Sat 3rd October 2026
- Time 9:00AM CDT
- Location Cross Plains, Wisconsin
- Price $32.80
- Races 2 races
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day of trail running at the Trail Run At Indian Lake on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026! Set in the picturesque Cross Plains, Dane County, this event invites runners to explore two stunning race routes: a shorter 5.8KM course and a longer 10.5KM challenge. The race kicks off from a beautifully restored sedge meadow, leading participants through the diverse landscapes of Indian Lake County Park, famed for its dramatic hills and scenic views shaped by the last glaciation.
This unique trail run also features a commitment to sustainability, as the event goes cup-free to minimize waste and preserve the natural beauty of the area. Post-race festivities will be filled with fun, featuring live music from the Currach Irish Trio, delicious food, and awards to celebrate your accomplishments. Join fellow enthusiasts for a day of community, camaraderie, and a shared love for the great outdoors while supporting the Friends of Indian Lake and their vital conservation efforts. Don’t miss out on this fantastic celebration of fall and trail running!
This unique trail run also features a commitment to sustainability, as the event goes cup-free to minimize waste and preserve the natural beauty of the area. Post-race festivities will be filled with fun, featuring live music from the Currach Irish Trio, delicious food, and awards to celebrate your accomplishments. Join fellow enthusiasts for a day of community, camaraderie, and a shared love for the great outdoors while supporting the Friends of Indian Lake and their vital conservation efforts. Don’t miss out on this fantastic celebration of fall and trail running!
Organiser's Description
Join us on Oct 3rd for the Trail Run At Indian Lake!
RACE ROUTES - SHORT (5.8KM) & LONG (10.5KM)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Starting in a beautifully restored sedge meadow in the wetlands surrounding Indian Lake - a kettle lake created in the retreat of the last glaciers, you'll soon trade the prairie path for trees and dirt. And hills. Indian Lake County Park marks the extent of the last glaciation, meaning you can expect the steeper slopes associated with the Driftless Region, and we make full use of these slopes for the run!
Part of the route joins the Ice Age Trail National Scenic Trail (which traverses the entire glacial extent across Wisconsin).
As you trek through the forested middle of the course, reflect that Dane County Parks will be purchasing 300 acres south of the current boundary and start dreaming of more hills!
As you work towards the end of the race, take a moment to appreciate the active oak savanna restoration that is underway. Oak savanna used to dominate the landscape here, but is now incredibly rare. Through the work of county staff and Friends of Indian Lake volunteers, restoration of 170-acres of oak savanna is in progress!
THE T.R.A.I.L. IS CUP-FREE!
Nothing kills the vibe of running through the forest like coming up on an aid station littered with discarded single-use cups. Sure, our volunteers would clean up afterwards, but in an effort to reduce our impact on the natural areas we love, we are going cup-free!
There will not be paper cups at aid stations or at the start/finish. If you expect needing hydration on-course, you are responsible for bringing your own cup/bottle/bladder. We will have water dispensers at aid stations to top-off.
Going cup-free is a significant step to bringing our event closer to zero-waste and being better stewards of our public lands.
Check out this resource for why and how to go cup-free: https://nuunlife.com/blogs/news/byoc-ace-your-next-cupless-race
AFTER PARTY
Our celebration of Fall, trails, and Indian Lake doesn't end at the finish line! The Currach Irish Trio will once again be headlining while we enjoy food, beverage, and awards.
SCHEDULE (subject to minor change)
RACE WEEK (date/time TBD) - Early packet pick-up at Movin' Shoes (https://g.page/movinshoes?share) [https://g.page/movinshoes?share%29]
Saturday, Oct 3rd
- 7:30 AM - Race HQ is open for packet pick-up
- 8:30 AM - Free Kids Run
- 9:00 AM - LONG & SHORT race start
~ 10:00 AM - Awards, Raffle, and Live Music for SHORT course
~ 10:30 AM - Awards, Raffle, and Live Music for LONG course
Join the Friends of Indian Lake for a celebration of Fall, trail running, community, and public lands! All proceeds support the Friends work with Dane County Parks to preserve and enhance Indian Lake County Park.
RACE ROUTES - SHORT (5.8KM) & LONG (10.5KM)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Starting in a beautifully restored sedge meadow in the wetlands surrounding Indian Lake - a kettle lake created in the retreat of the last glaciers, you'll soon trade the prairie path for trees and dirt. And hills. Indian Lake County Park marks the extent of the last glaciation, meaning you can expect the steeper slopes associated with the Driftless Region, and we make full use of these slopes for the run!
Part of the route joins the Ice Age Trail National Scenic Trail (which traverses the entire glacial extent across Wisconsin).
As you trek through the forested middle of the course, reflect that Dane County Parks will be purchasing 300 acres south of the current boundary and start dreaming of more hills!
As you work towards the end of the race, take a moment to appreciate the active oak savanna restoration that is underway. Oak savanna used to dominate the landscape here, but is now incredibly rare. Through the work of county staff and Friends of Indian Lake volunteers, restoration of 170-acres of oak savanna is in progress!
THE T.R.A.I.L. IS CUP-FREE!
Nothing kills the vibe of running through the forest like coming up on an aid station littered with discarded single-use cups. Sure, our volunteers would clean up afterwards, but in an effort to reduce our impact on the natural areas we love, we are going cup-free!
There will not be paper cups at aid stations or at the start/finish. If you expect needing hydration on-course, you are responsible for bringing your own cup/bottle/bladder. We will have water dispensers at aid stations to top-off.
Going cup-free is a significant step to bringing our event closer to zero-waste and being better stewards of our public lands.
Check out this resource for why and how to go cup-free: https://nuunlife.com/blogs/news/byoc-ace-your-next-cupless-race
AFTER PARTY
Our celebration of Fall, trails, and Indian Lake doesn't end at the finish line! The Currach Irish Trio will once again be headlining while we enjoy food, beverage, and awards.
SCHEDULE (subject to minor change)
RACE WEEK (date/time TBD) - Early packet pick-up at Movin' Shoes (https://g.page/movinshoes?share) [https://g.page/movinshoes?share%29]
Saturday, Oct 3rd
- 7:30 AM - Race HQ is open for packet pick-up
- 8:30 AM - Free Kids Run
- 9:00 AM - LONG & SHORT race start
~ 10:00 AM - Awards, Raffle, and Live Music for SHORT course
~ 10:30 AM - Awards, Raffle, and Live Music for LONG course
Join the Friends of Indian Lake for a celebration of Fall, trail running, community, and public lands! All proceeds support the Friends work with Dane County Parks to preserve and enhance Indian Lake County Park.
Races
-
LONG Course (~10.5km)
Incl. $2.80 Fee
Sat 3rd October 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
$32.80
OPENS 15 JUN -
SHORT Course (~5.8km)
Incl. $2.80 Fee
Sat 3rd October 2026 (9:10AM CDT)
$32.80
OPENS 15 JUN
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8183 State Highway 19, Cross Plains, 53528, WI, United States
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Trail Run At Indian Lake
