Marathon Details - Elroy Apple Dumpling Day Marathon

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Elroy Apple Dumpling Day Marathon

Elroy Apple Dumpling Day Marathon & Half Marathon, 5K

Elroy, WI USA

September 6, 2025

http://www.appledumplingdayraces.com

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Race Details

Most of the race is run on the Omaha Bike Trail. The trail has a great running surface, lots of shade, beautiful scenery, and is level! The marathon will include two passes through a wonderful 875 foot tunnel.

Contact Information

Name:	Randy Board
Address:	113 Lincoln Street Elroy, WI 53929
Phone Number:	608-853-1086
Email:	Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (6)

Course 4.8

Organization 5.0

Spectators 3.0

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Number of comments: 6

J. W. from Iowa (9/11/2023) "Flat and Protected Course" (about: 2023) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Elroy Apple Dumpling Day Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The runners were blessed with a 50-degree temp at start and about 70 degrees at finish about 3 ½ hours later for myself. This event is small in the number of participants. I believe about 60 marathoners took part: under 100 half marathoners and similar 5K runners. Maybe about 200 runners in all. Half marathoners started at the turnaround point of the marathon. It is chip timed (bib). Overall, I was left with a great impression of the town of Elroy and the community that supported this race. Thank you! Organization: The race director did a great job in the communications leading up to race day. Good level of detail and no surprises when I arrived on race morning. From packet pick up, start time, racecourse status, water stops, finish & all covered in detail and was exactly as described. No surprises were important! Great Job there! Packet pickup is at Schultz (City) Park and starts at 5:30am for the 7am gun time. It is well organized with plenty of helpful and cheerful volunteers. Was able to park less than 100 yards from the starting line. Restrooms with plumbing were at the park; one restroom had a shower (swimming pool restroom), so made cleaning up afterward very pleasant for the 5-hour car ride home. Course: I'll repeat what another stated about the course with my updates: It started in the park, crossed the highway and meandered through town for almost two miles on trails and roads. Very slight downhill on the surface road for about 1/4 mile going out (uphill coming back =); only noticeable incline. Then it entered what is known as Omaha Trail. From there it was some 11 miles out and back on that trail that is thoroughly protected with trees; then returned to Schultz (City) Park. Omaha Trail was an old railroad bed and so it was flat. There were some areas with old asphalt, some was dirt, crushed rock/other material. It was good on the legs. Some areas were a bit cambered, so I switched the side of the road every other mile. You'll go through a tunnel around mile 7 to 8. It was probably ¼ mile long and the ground surface inside looked to be packed dirt or clay. The race committee had a long string of Coleman lanterns placed along the tunnel to light the way. It is dark, but the lighting is along the floor so you can see your footing; good job there! There were aid stations every couple of miles. I think all the aid stations had both Gatorade AND water and there was not an issue with getting both since few folks competing for the drinks. One station had gel (GU) at mile 4 (out) and coming back at mile 22. The volunteers staffing the aid stations were pleasant and encouraging. We did pass through the town of Hustler, and there were bathroom facilities there that were available to runners. The course crosse at least 7 roads, where there was an aid station at each one. My wife was able to catch me as well at 6 different times out and back to supply me or give me encouragement - that was great! Finish Line: At the finish, there were bleachers with about 2 dozen folks cheering, another few dozen around as well cheering you into the finish along with the MC announcing and congratulating you. The medal was handed to me immediately after crossing the finish line. It's a nice medal, a bit thin for my taste, but nicely designed. The Elroy Lions Club did a great job for the runners. The local Lions Club served food from concession stand, so there was much to choose from. There was also a local event going on at the park with vendors and other food available to purchase. Nice option rather than typical banana, bagels, oranges, etc. And yes, they had apple dumplings too. Every runner got free apple dumpling and free beer. Both hit the spot! Fans: As I said, this is a small race, those volunteers were great fans! Fans were few and far between compared to larger races, but I knew that going into this race. The handful I came across more than dozen times, or even a few walkers on the trails, were great in supporting the runners! In summary, I would run this course again in September. Organization was perfect; Course surface was great for my legs; the tree canopy was perfect for unpredicted temperatures; PLENTY of aid stations; wasn't crowded at start, on the trail, or at finish; great small town community support. Nicely done Elroy!!!
Rob Klein from Paradise, Michigan USA (9/12/2019) "Flat and Fast" (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Elroy Apple Dumpling Day Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have had my eye on this race for a few years now, but glad I did not come last year. Last year they had a flood, and the tunnel filled up with mud. Tough luck for the runners and for the town-folks too. But this year they were back in grand style. At least that is what I think. I talked to some town folks and they told me Elroy is in a valley and there are two rivers that drain the area. But when there is a deluge, the water flows into Elroy from the hills and the rivers can not move the water out fast enough, and it floods. They did a great job of cleaning up the flood damage from last year. This is one of several Wisconsin marathons that have utilized abandoned railroad beds, converted to sports trails for runners and riders. After leaving Appleton, it was a series of 4 lane and 2 lane roads, and lots of turns to get to Elroy. It would have been tough without my GPS. The marathon started - and finished - at Schultz Park. There was a campground there too that the community operated. It cost $12.00 to pitch a tent and spend the night. I chose that option; a couple of guys from Minnesota were camping there too. Talk about convenient. The course exited the park, crossed the highway and meandered through town for almost two miles on trails and roads. Then it entered what is known as Omaha Trail. From there it was some 11 miles out and back on that trail; then returned to Schultz Park. Omaha Trail was an old railroad bed and so it was flat. Heading north, we passed through an old railroad tunnel. It looked like the lower part of the tunnel was carved or blasted out of the rock, and then covered with a long u-shaped lid. It was fascinating to look at. It was probably ½ to ¾ miles long and the ground surface inside looked to be packed dirt or clay. The race committee had a long string of Coleman lanterns placed along the tunnel to light the way. They did a really good job. It seemed like there were aid stations every couple of miles. I think only one of them had gel (GU) and only on the way back. The volunteers staffing the aid stations were pleasant and encouraging. We did pass through the town of Hustler, and there were bathroom facilities there that were available to runners. There was one other place - maybe around mile 7 - where they placed a couple of port-a-potties too. It worked. On the course there were many bridges we had to cross. Some were small; others were longer. But toward the end of the out portion - maybe about mile 11 - there was a bee hive - apparently it was under the bridge - and it must have been a big one, because bees (or hornets) were coming up between the boards and harassing the runners. Several people got stung. It is tough to plan for that. I stayed to the east side - in both directions - and I got through unscathed. At the finish line, they had typical post-race food. For this one, they had apple dumplings too. Every runner got an apple dumpling. It was a whole apple, cored, and baked - inside a pastry wrapped around the apple. Then they ladled on hot apple syrup out of a crock-pot, and then added whipped cream on top. Well done! Other comments: The gal handing out the medals was way off to the side and when I crossed the finish line, I had to go look for her to get my medal. She should have been more conspicuous to the runners. Also, the T-shirt says nothing about a marathon. It just says, Apple Dumpling Races. It is probably easier to cover all the races with one shirt, but I like something that specifies participation in the Marathon event. Maybe just minor details to some. This was a small town, and a small race; I think there were about 100 marathoner runners. The Elroy Lions Club did a great job for the runners.
J. H. from WI (9/8/2014) "Very nice small town race" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Elroy Apple Dumpling Day Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 For a second year event it was very well organized with aid stations every two miles, chip timed, and a 900' old railroad tunnel that you go through twice (cool). Course is out & back on a paved rails-to-trails (Omaha Trail). Miles 6-11 go down, miles 15-20 go up. You'll feel it! Shirt,medal,and post race food are typical. Part of a community festival.