It’s Hunker Down Time Focus is on the Underdown Races

GLEASON – The Underdown Trail running race and “Thunderdown in the Underdown” mountain bike race will give outdoor athletes a run for their money come Saturday, Aug. 19. This year, both runners and bikers will again experience challenging trails across a wilderness landscape carved by glaciers that swept the area thousands of years ago.

The Underdown Trail Races feature a half-marathon, marathon and 60K trail run. The racecourse is primarily singletrack over a bunch of hills, past isolated lakes and across dozens of boardwalks in the Lincoln County Forest known as the Underdown Recreation Area.

The mountain bike races will follow the running event. A 33-mile single track loop combines the best of the old school with zippy machine-built renovations. They riders will pedal past four lakes, five bermed boardwalks and over 70 hills, all the way to the Prairie Dells overlook and back. Other ride options include 13 miles and 100 miles.

The Thunderdown is part of the Wisconsin Endurance Mountain Bike Series (WEMS). The event is co-sponsored by IRONBULL and Central Wisconsin Offroad Cycling Coalition (CWOCC).

Food, drink and Strava games to follow with music by The Northwoods Skitchers. Pints to all finishers 21 and older.

The Underdown Trails are located off Copper Lake Road, north of Merrill. For trail race information go to ironbull.org/underdown-details or the Facebook page. For information on the mountain bike races go to wemseries.com/hundred-down-in-the-underdown or the Facebook page.