Rails to Trails

Norwalk Public Library

My husband is a marathon runner. To date, he's run 35. Because of this healthy obsession, I've had the privilege of being at the start and finish lines in Milwaukee, Chicago, New York, and even Boston. All heady experiences, but my very favorite place to be a spectator is just four hours north of us in Norwalk, Wisconsin.

Downtown Norwalk

Norwalk, population 638, is known as the "Gateway to the Tunnels" because it's located on the Elroy-Sparta bike trail--a 32 mile stretch of gravel on the abandoned Chicago & Northwestern Railroad bed. 

Road trip! (Celebrating National Sandwich Day as we ride.)

The trail passes through three rock tunnels, the longest of which is 3/4 of a mile long. The course of the Rails to Trails Marathon, which begins and ends in Norwalk, runs right through it. Runners are handed flashlights before entering the long, dark tunnel.

Off to carb load!

Spaghetti, salad, and homemade desserts!

What makes this marathon special is the down-home feel. It seems like the whole town turns out to welcome guests--beginning with a spaghetti dinner at the community center the night before and ending with a chicken dinner at the park after the race. 

Making "Go Fast!" signs 

Another thing we love about this run is that we can park our RV half a block from the start and finish line. Talk about convenient! This past November we took two of our grandkids along to cheer on Bampa. 

Lots to do at the park while waiting.

Go Bampa!!

A photo finish!

So what's your favorite Midwest spectator sport?