I recently asked race director Nikk Adams some questions about the NCTRaces he puts on and thought some of you would enjoy signing up for another adventure 🙂

You are the race director for the NCTRaces across the bridge, tell us a bit about the races and what makes them so great.

The NCTRaces is a trail race event held in Solon Springs, WI. All distances are held on the North Country Trail, mostly in the Brule River State Forest. Generally, the trail is not as technical as portions of the SHT. The start/finish line area is on Lake St. Croix, so post race you can jump in and enjoy the water. The three distances offered are 5k, 13.1, and Mystery Distance.

There’s a neat race format you came up with that I’m sure would be enticing to some of our readers…can you describe the Mystery Distance format?

The Mystery Distance is something I’m really proud to have come up with. The distance varies each year, and runners don’t know how long it is. The guidelines are that it is longer than a half marathon but shorter than a full. Runners don’t find out how far they are going until they see the “Mystery Distance Turnaround Aid Station” that is setup directly in the middle of the trail. At that point (if they can do simple math) they know how far the race is. Runners then turn around and complete the race back to the finish.

Do you also get to run any of the races along with directing, or just putting in work on those days?

I do not run on race day. I get to run the courses in my everyday training since I live in Solon Springs and am on the NCT most days. I wish I could run a Mystery Distance race though!

Is there a charitable aspect that is a part of the NCTRaces?

Yes. The sole purpose for starting NCTRaces was to raise money for the Brule-St.Croix Chapter of the North Country Trail. The NCT is a great resource in the area, and since we run it all the time I thought I should be attempting to give back and help the Chapter.

Is there anything else people should know?

I think the shirts and awards that we do are pretty special. I design them both and have always made the awards myself.  We also have “Traveling Staff” First Place Awards.  Winners get to keep the staff for a year, mark it with their accomplishment however they want, and then bring it back to “defend” the following year. Winners also get free entry the following year.  NCTRaces is on Facebook, UltraSignup, as well as our website.