The Rails to Trails Marathon course travels from from Norwalk to Sparta, WI.
The course starts in the Norwalk Village park, heads Southeast of Norwalk Village Park, approx. 1.5 miles and then turns around and heads back to the Norwalk Village park and then heads Northwest approximately 11.5 miles and then loops back to the village park to complete the course.
The Rails to Trails Marathon was the 479th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 373rd largest in 2022.
Last year no finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 4.1% of runners qualified for Boston in 2022.
This gives the Rails to Trails Marathon the 441st highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 363rd highest percentage in 2022.
Its Course Score of 98.51 ranks it as the 275th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 15th fastest course in Wisconsin.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Rails to Trails Marathon a PR Score of 98.51. This PR Score ranks it as the 212th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 9th fastest in Wisconsin.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Rails to Trails Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 1224 feet (373m) Min Elevation: 819 feet (249m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Rails to Trails Marathon
View available accomodations around the Rails to Trails Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.
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This was my first marathon and I absolutely loved it! We had signed up to run the Milwaukee lakefront marathon that same weekend and when it was canceled 3 weeks before the event, we scrambled to find another race in Wisconsin and came across this jewel. I'm a trail runner anyway so I preferred the packed gravel trail and the scenery was lovely. The people of Norwalk were delightful and so supportive. I loved seeing them along the route
Race Tips
The tunnel was so cool and I'm sure quite unusual. It definitely slowed down my goal pace as it was tricky with the dim lighting, uneven footing and dripping water. But since it was my first marathon, my time was still going to be my PR!
The race was well supported with aid and viewing stations interspersed quite frequently.
Spectator viewing, following and support was so easy!
ACG's review of 2017 Rails to Trails Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
I ran this in 2017. It was my first marathon and so I didn't pace it quite right (the hills make that slightly tricky) but that's obviously not the organizers' fault.
The people of Norwalk were great. I liked how small this race was and the people who raced it were quite friendly. Some older guys really helped talk me through the last miles when I was struggling.
The fall leaves up there in October are gorgeous! Running on trails is great and so I enjoyed that aspect of it - these were packed dirt trails so you won't lose time from difficult trails.
Race Tips
Don't use my pacing strategy (which was to fly down the first downhill and pay for it later).
