Entry opens on a single announced day and usually sells out within hours. Past volunteers, repeat finishers and a few other groups get an earlier sign up day, and a wait list is kept. There is no lottery, and entries cannot be refunded or transferred, though deferral is allowed until a set date.
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| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50K | 50K | May 8, 2027 | See registration | – |
| 50 Mile | 50 Mile | May 8, 2027 | See registration | – |
| Half Marathon | Half Marathon | May 8, 2027 | See registration | – |
Fees and dates are from the race's official website on the date shown below; confirm them there before you register.
Sunrise on race morning is at about 5:41 AM.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Nordic trailhead of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, N9084 County Road H, north of La Grange, Whitewater, WI 53190
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
What runners should know about Ice Age Trail 50, in brief, from the official race website.
Course
The 50 mile opens with a 9 mile Nordic loop, then heads out and back on the Ice Age Trail south to Rice Lake and north to Emma Carlin, crossing Bald Bluff, the high point. The 50K runs out and back to Horseriders Camp, then does two Nordic loops. The half is two Nordic loops.
Parking and travel
Parking at the start is very limited and needs a Wisconsin state park pass. In recent years 50 mile runners parked at the Nordic and Muir lots, while 50K and half runners parked at Palmyra-Eagle High School and rode buses to the start. No camping is allowed near the trailhead.
Shirt and medal
Finishers have received a buckle for the 50 mile under 12 hours and a key chain for the other races, plus a free barbecue meal and craft beer after the race. Bring your own cup for the beer.
Rules and FAQ
In recent years the 50 mile had a 12 hour limit and the 50K and 50 mile closed at 6 p.m., with hard cutoffs at aid stations; the half closed four hours after its start. Pacers are not allowed, and crews may only help at set access points.
Facts on this page come from the race's official website (iceagetrail50.com, iceagetrail50.com/race-info, iceagetrail50.com/50-mile, iceagetrail50.com/50k), checked Sep 27, 2026. Confirm dates and fees there before you travel.
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One of the oldest ultramarathons in the country, held in the southern Kettle Moraine State Forest. Runners cover wide Nordic ski trails and rocky, rooty single track of the Ice Age Trail through pine and hardwood forest, prairie and glacial hills, with a 50 mile, a 50K and a half marathon.