The Course
Approximate route 16+ miles down the river.
The course follows the Menomonee River from Mill Pond Park in Menomonee Falls to Hoyt Park in Wauwatosa, WI. There are a variety of paths, trails, fields, forests, and natural areas along the way. The river runs through both residential and industrial sections of town. Most of the route is along park trails and through forests, providing a peaceful off-road experience.
DJ will join with you and your dog, to approach the route as private trail hikers and river explorers, so while passing along property lines and through questionable areas, you will be "as speedy as deer and gentle as rabbits".
The route has 10 relay sections, and each one is unique in terms of its requirements. The average section is 1.5 - 2.0 miles, which will take from 20-40 minutes to jog or walk. Trail running pace is 10-12 minutes per mile, walking pace is about 20 minutes per mile.
DJ will join with you and your dog, to approach the route as private trail hikers and river explorers, so while passing along property lines and through questionable areas, you will be "as speedy as deer and gentle as rabbits".
The route has 10 relay sections, and each one is unique in terms of its requirements. The average section is 1.5 - 2.0 miles, which will take from 20-40 minutes to jog or walk. Trail running pace is 10-12 minutes per mile, walking pace is about 20 minutes per mile.
All of the race sections are shown below, including a ranking for their difficulty as shown in the table on the right. As you consider participating, here are some more rules of thumb:
- Be prepared to walk off-road. There is almost no pavement, no matter which section you choose.
- Sections 7-10 are easier and slower.
- The harder black-diamond sections require a hardy dog and people who don't mind trail-jogging. Be prepared to get dirty.
Start: Mill Pond Park, Menomonee Falls
End: Lilly Road & Menomonee River
Distance: 2 Miles
Pace and Time: Jog, 10 min/mile, 20 minutes
This is a great way to start in the heart of Menomonee Falls. There are nice walkways and trails winding through the park system all the way from start to finish.
Nice trails run through Section One.
Start: Lilly Road & Menomonee River
End: Granville Dog Park
Distance: 2 Miles
Pace and Time: Jog, 12 min/mile, 25 minutes
This is an intense section that jumps right into a meager trail before arriving at River's Edge Park. More rugged, untracked trails eventually end up near the Granville Dog Park which is just north of Good Hope Road. This section requires adrenaline and a real spirit of exploration!
Some parts of Section Two are quite primative.
Start: Granville Dog Park
End: Granville Dog Park
Distance: 3/4 mile
Pace and Time: Walk, 20 min/mile, 20 minutes
A short, easy, dog-friendly section which can accomodate a team that wants to have more people walking. This is going to be a "Dog Party" on the day of the event!
End: Granville Dog Park
Distance: 3/4 mile
Pace and Time: Walk, 20 min/mile, 20 minutes
A short, easy, dog-friendly section which can accomodate a team that wants to have more people walking. This is going to be a "Dog Party" on the day of the event!
Titus played in Section Three when he was little.
Start: Granville Dog Park
End: End of Parkway Drive (South of Mill Rd)
Distance: 2.75 miles
Pace and Time: Jog, 10-12 min/mile, 40 minutes
One of the longer sections that includes the possibility of romping through grassy fields. While part runs along roads, much of it is through tall grass, which requires an off-road runner with an energetic dog. Get ready for a work-out!
End: End of Parkway Drive (South of Mill Rd)
Distance: 2.75 miles
Pace and Time: Jog, 10-12 min/mile, 40 minutes
One of the longer sections that includes the possibility of romping through grassy fields. While part runs along roads, much of it is through tall grass, which requires an off-road runner with an energetic dog. Get ready for a work-out!
There are some roads, but much of Section Four is grassy.
Start: End of Parkway Drive (south of Mill Rd)
End: Hampton Avenue & Menomonee River
Distance: Just under 2 Miles
Pace and Time: Jog, 12-15 min/mile, 35 minutes
The only double-black section of the run, this one will require someone who doesn't scare easily, and if you do get scared, you have to be willing to keep going no matter what. You will also need an extremely rugged dog who will stick close and run through anything.
End: Hampton Avenue & Menomonee River
Distance: Just under 2 Miles
Pace and Time: Jog, 12-15 min/mile, 35 minutes
The only double-black section of the run, this one will require someone who doesn't scare easily, and if you do get scared, you have to be willing to keep going no matter what. You will also need an extremely rugged dog who will stick close and run through anything.
Railroad tracks on Section Five.
Start: Hampton Avenue & Menomonee River
End: Currie Dog Park
Distance: 1.25 Miles
Pace and Time: Jog, 10-15 min/mile, 20 minutes
Titus' favorite section is composed of thickly wooded trails and grassy areas, featuring a well-worn yet rugged trail system. Expect to do a lot of hopping and jumping through deeply wooded areas, especially if you want to take some of the more challenging routes. This part ends too quickly, but you can always go back for more!
End: Currie Dog Park
Distance: 1.25 Miles
Pace and Time: Jog, 10-15 min/mile, 20 minutes
Titus' favorite section is composed of thickly wooded trails and grassy areas, featuring a well-worn yet rugged trail system. Expect to do a lot of hopping and jumping through deeply wooded areas, especially if you want to take some of the more challenging routes. This part ends too quickly, but you can always go back for more!
If you like forest, Section Six is heaven.
DOG PARTY! There will be a 10-20 minute break between Section Six & Seven at Currie Dog Park.
Start: Currie Dog Park
End: Mt. Mary
Distance: 1 Mile
Pace and Time: Slow Jog, 15 min/mile, 15-20 minutes
Have your friends come and meet you at Currie Dog Park, to send you on your way to Mt. Mary. This pleasant section can range from pretty easy to pretty hard. Trail lovers will enjoy a run down the west side of the river which is completely wild - or take the more conventional east side, which features Hartung Park and a well-known scenic lagoon.
End: Mt. Mary
Distance: 1 Mile
Pace and Time: Slow Jog, 15 min/mile, 15-20 minutes
Have your friends come and meet you at Currie Dog Park, to send you on your way to Mt. Mary. This pleasant section can range from pretty easy to pretty hard. Trail lovers will enjoy a run down the west side of the river which is completely wild - or take the more conventional east side, which features Hartung Park and a well-known scenic lagoon.
The lagoon along Section Seven is a great spot for pictures.
Start: Mt. Mary (parkway side)
End: Mt. Mary (parkway side)
Distance: 1.5 Miles
Pace and Time: Walk or Slow Jog, 15-20 min/mile, 35 minutes
The Mt. Mary campus provides a great place for a scenic summer walk. This is one of the easier sections, although we still walk over the grass and through the woods. This particular section may allow for a few others to join you, if you have a sightly larger group.
End: Mt. Mary (parkway side)
Distance: 1.5 Miles
Pace and Time: Walk or Slow Jog, 15-20 min/mile, 35 minutes
The Mt. Mary campus provides a great place for a scenic summer walk. This is one of the easier sections, although we still walk over the grass and through the woods. This particular section may allow for a few others to join you, if you have a sightly larger group.
Historic Mt. Mary highlights Section Eight.
Start: Mt. Mary
End: North Ave & Menomonee River
Distance: 1 Mile
Pace and Time: Walk or Slog Jog, 15-20 min/mile, 20 minutes
Lush forests line this section of the Menomonee River down the heart of the parkway in Wauwatosa. Trail lovers will enjoy following the winding dirt trail right along the river, or many walkers just follow alongside the parkway. Expect a liesurely pace. This section leaves you conveniently near the finish line with enough time to get to the picnic.
End: North Ave & Menomonee River
Distance: 1 Mile
Pace and Time: Walk or Slog Jog, 15-20 min/mile, 20 minutes
Lush forests line this section of the Menomonee River down the heart of the parkway in Wauwatosa. Trail lovers will enjoy following the winding dirt trail right along the river, or many walkers just follow alongside the parkway. Expect a liesurely pace. This section leaves you conveniently near the finish line with enough time to get to the picnic.
There are plenty of trails along Section Nine.
Start: North Avenue & Menomonee River
End: Finish Line, Hoyt Park Picnic Area 3
Distance: 1 Mile
Pace and Time: Slow Jog, 12-20 min/mile, 20 minutes
The final leg includes one last stretch of parkway, and then crosses the river twice over 2 different bridges, on the way to a climactic finish. The section finishes conveniently at the Finish Line Picnic, where you can celebrate with your supporters.
End: Finish Line, Hoyt Park Picnic Area 3
Distance: 1 Mile
Pace and Time: Slow Jog, 12-20 min/mile, 20 minutes
The final leg includes one last stretch of parkway, and then crosses the river twice over 2 different bridges, on the way to a climactic finish. The section finishes conveniently at the Finish Line Picnic, where you can celebrate with your supporters.
The Finish Line area completes Section Ten.
A few words of encouragement from D. J. in this YouTube video.