Chippewa Trail Races

About the Event

The Chippewa Trail Races are an annual endurance event set for Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the David R. Obey Ice Age Interpretive Center in New Auburn, Wisconsin. The race takes place primarily on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, featuring a single-track course that winds through glacial topography, including forests and views of over 20 lakes. While the terrain is manageable for various skill levels, participants face rolling hills, technical root sections, and a major final climb toward the finish line. The 2026 event follows a successful 2025 edition that saw the debut of a 50K relay and a new women’s 20-mile course record of 2:48:25 set by Margaret Ho.

Race Distance	Start Time	Field Limit	Course Record (Overall)
50K Ultra / Relay	8:00 AM	180 / 35 Teams	3:37:24 (Chase Coffey)
20 Miler	8:30 AM	150 Entries	N/A
10K	9:00 AM	120 Entries	N/A

New Auburn is a village located in Chippewa and Barron counties in northwestern Wisconsin, with a population of approximately 550 residents. The demographic profile of the surrounding Chippewa County is 93.8% White, 1.9% Hispanic or Latino, 1.2% Black or African American, and 0.9% Asian. The median annual household income in the region is approximately $66,000. Geographically, the area is defined by the Chippewa Moraine, a landscape shaped by retreating glaciers that left behind a high concentration of kettle lakes and steep ridges (kames). In late April, Wisconsin weather is highly variable; while 2025 saw highs in the 16°C (61°F) range, runners must be prepared for colder mornings near 3°C (37°F) and the possibility of spring rain or lingering frost.

The event is characterized by several unique traditions, most notably the "I Beat..." shirt, where a specific local runner is designated as a target, and anyone finishing ahead of them receives a commemorative shirt. The race is also known for its finisher prints—8.5 x 11 full-color logos—rather than traditional medals. Lodging is available nearby at Camp Nawakwa, which offers cabins and yurts for $50 per person. Organizers maintain a strict no-refund and no-transfer policy due to the upfront costs of race management. Aid stations are stocked with standard ultra-fare, and pink flagging marks the out-and-back routes. Registration closes on April 20, 2026, or once field limits are reached, which is common for this community-focused event.

Races Offered

50K

Apr 25, 2026

straighten

Distance — 50K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:00

sell

$95.00

50K Relay

Apr 25, 2026

straighten

Distance — 50K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:00

sell

$140.00

20 Miler

Apr 25, 2026

straighten

Distance — 32.2K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:30

sell

$80.00

10K

Apr 25, 2026

straighten

Distance — 10K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

09:00

sell

$40.00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for April in New Auburn.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 1.5° / 12.2°

wb_sunny -3.6° / 7.7°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 15.2 /

water_drop 67.3%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 1.5° / 12.2°

wb_sunny -3.6° / 7.7°

air 15.2 km/h

water_drop 67.3%

About New Auburn

Learn more about the host city, New Auburn.

New Auburn is a village in Barron and Chippewa counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 562 at the 2020 census. Of these, 537 were in Chippewa County, and 25 were in Barron County. The village is located mostly within the Town of Auburn in Chippewa County. Small portions extend east into the adjacent Town of Bloomer, Chippewa County and north into the Town of Dovre in Barron County.