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The 5 mile course heads a short distance to the southeast before going north and east up the large berm east of the lots. You'll follow the berm for approximately a quarter of a mile before entering your first stretch of single track.
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The single track meanders through stretches of treed and open spaces for about a mile before coming to a park road which leads to the campground. This is about 1.25 miles in. It is here that you'll turn left onto the park road, running toward and through the campground.
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There will be signs pointing you in the right direction. Once you are through the campground, you'll get to run along a nice stretch of trail alongside the lake. At about the 2.25 mile mark, you'll see signs directing you back onto more fantastic single track.
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From this point on, the trail is shared with all racers, including the 10.5, 21, and 50k runners. If you are walking the 5 mile race, you'll have a chance to see some of the faster runners in the longer distances. Give them a high five and a “good job” as they go by. A little further down the trail, around 2.75 miles, there will be an aid station with water and energy drinks.
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Drink up or refill your bottle and get ready for the homestretch. After the aid station, you'll be directed back onto trail that runs along the park boundary. Continue along the fence line for a little less than a mile.
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A little after the third mile, you'll be able to see your finish line 2 miles away. Take a minute to soak in the view of the finish, lake, and the sail boats that remain.
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From the view point, you'll head back down around the other side of the campground along the fence line, where you'll eventually cross back over park road. Enjoy the remaining 1.25 miles to the finish. This is the same stretch of trail you ran at the start.
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When you finish, pat yourself on the back and call yourself a trail runner. Congratulations!
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The 10.5, 21 milers, and 50k runners all run the same 10.5 mile loop.
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Unlike the 5 milers who will begin their race in an easterly, counterclockwise direction, you will run clockwise to the west.
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The first 1.5 miles take you through portions of Lake Cunningham's frisbee golf course, down a potentially muddy and wet stretch on the back side of the damn, and back up to the west side of the lake. You'll run a short stretch along the lake shore, where it is highly likely you'll get a fishing report from some of Cunningham's anglers.
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After 1.5 miles you'll come up a small hill, by a small shelter, and back down to the first single track. It's a short stretch that ultimately comes out on the asphalt trail which rings the lake. Turn left on the asphalt for a hundred yards, run over the bridge and hang an immediate left.
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Run another short stretch of single track and exit right onto the park access road. Follow the road to the second shelter past the parking lot. This shelter will contain an unmanned water stop. There will be no cups, so fill your bottle if you have it. Proceed back on to the asphalt trail for 50 yards or so. It is here where the trail gets fun.
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There will be signs directing you off the asphalt and on to a good long stretch of single track/horse trail. The trail eventually takes you up to the western boundary of the park. Follow the green tape and signs marking the course across Rainwood Road. Before the lake existed, Rainwood Road ran east and west across what is now Lake Cunningham. The road is no longer used and has been affectionately dubbed by some as "Blair Witch Road" because of the creepy canopy of trees and cemetery nearby.
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Cross over Rainwood Road, continuing down the trail. A little further down, around the 3.25 mile mark, you'll come to an intersection at which turning left takes you to 96th street and turning right takes you over a small creek crossing. You’ll turn right. Depending on the weather, this could be a dry crossing or you might get your feet wet. Cross the creek and exit to another parking area. Again, signs will direct you to your next destination and only significant climb on the course.
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The climb is short and the view at the top is worth it. You can see the entire lake and surrounding farm land from here. Once you've caught your breath and taken in the view, continue along the top of the hill for a hundred yards back down the other end. The drop back down is steep and quick, so loosen up your legs and enjoy the short trip down to another neat stretch of single track which runs along the lake. Continue to follow the green tape and signs until you come back out to the park boundary around and up to Bennington Road (Nebraska State Highway 36).
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The highway takes you from the west side of the lake to the east and is the only piece of pavement you will run on. Stay to the right for .25 miles on a wide shoulder. There will be signs on the road advising car traffic that a race is in progress.
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After crossing over to the east side of the lake, look for two Nebraska state historical markers. One for the old Boettger Farm, the other for Fort Atkinson. If you're so inclined to read the markers you'll get a dose of the early history of the area. The old Boettger Farm was what is now Lake Cunningham.
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Turn right into a small parking light which sits between the historical markers and follow the trail for .25 miles to the your first fully manned, fully stocked aid station at mile 5.35. Ultra marathon veterans won't be surprised at the food offerings, however newcomers to the distance might be surprised when the have a choice of Nutella tortillas, salted potatoes, and who knows what else might be on the buffet. Eat up and get moving. You have a little over 5 miles to go.
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Follow the dirt road away from the aid station until you see another short stretch of asphalt. The asphalt will take you across a small footbridge and quickly into more of the lakes east side single track. While on this section you will cross the asphalt trail twice. At no time do you run along it. The trail will take you back up to the boundary and leads out to another dirt/crumbly asphalt road. Follow the road for 200 yards and re-enter the trail along the boundary. The fence line will take you to Rainwood Road (a little past 7 miles) where there will be an aid station which is shared by the 5 milers. In the early stages of the race there will be energy drink available, however, you should not count on this aid station for anything more than an unmanned water stop.
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After visiting the 7 mile water stop, swing toward the lake on your right. Here, you will run along through a grassy field by the lake and onto the old asphalt trail. Enjoy the solid surface for a while or run on the dirt edge. 7.5 miles in you'll swing back around to the north onto more single track. This area will be very well marked as this where your course connects with the 5 milers. The faster runners among you may come across some 5 milers who are doing this as their first trail run. Be sure to congratulate and encourage them as you pass. They may be in your shoes someday. This stretch of trail goes directly back to the water stop you visited nearly a mile back. Feel free to refill again or just follow the obvious path back to the park boundary.
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Continue along the fence line for a little less than a mile. Around mile 8.5 you'll be able to see the finish line 2 miles away. Take a minute to soak in the view of the finish, lake, and the sail boats that remain.
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From the view point, you'll head back down around the other side of the campground along the fence line, where you'll eventually cross over a park road that leads to the campground.
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The remaining 1.25 miles wind through enjoyable treed and open spaces, back over the berm you saw from the parking lot and around to your finish or drop bags and another fully stocked/fully manned aid station.
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10.5 milers, you are DONE! 21 milers and 50k runners, REPEAT!
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