Dairyland Dirtbags 2025

Dairyland Dirtbags – Trail Training 2025 

Hello trail lovers! Dairyland Dirtbags is back for fall 2025 and we couldn’t be more excited to resume the adventure with you.  
 
New this year – a 50K goal race option! See below for specifics. 

Explore the best trails in the area while receiving instruction, support, and camaraderie throughout your training! We’ll be utilizing our favorite segments of the Ice Age Trail to prepare for the Fall Back Blast Trail Running Festival complete with coaches leading, floating and picking up the rear of the herd. There will also be an optional group camping trip at Peninsula State Park for additional fun, socialization, and trail experience. 
 
**Participation Cap: 50 Participants** 
Due to the nature of this program and limited parking at many trailheads, we are capping participation at 50 people. We will update the website when the program has reached capacity. 

 IMPORTANT PROGRAM DATES 

• Program Duration: August 24, 2025 – November 1, 2025 

• Program Kick-Off: Monday, August 18, 2025 @ Fleet Feet Madison @ 7:00 p.m.  

• First Group Run: Sunday, August 24 @ 7:30 a.m. 

• Registration Deadline: Monday, August 18, 2025 (or until capacity has been reached) 

 
TRAINING PROGRAM RATES* | Online Registration Opens April 21, 2025

• Registration deadline: Monday, August 18, 2025 

• Program Rates:  

• $179 (12.5K) 

• $189 (50K) 

*Entry into the program includes campsite reservations at Peninsula State Park. 

Program Kick-Off/Meet & Greet: Monday, August 18 @ 7:00 p.m. 
We'll cover safety concerns and requirements, training plans, program details, and trail gear. We'll also discuss how we can support your training needs this season. Feel free to join the Monday fun run at 6:00 p.m. prior to kick-off. 

 
GOAL EVENT  
Fall Back Blast Trail Running Festival (5K, 12.5K, 25K, Marathon, 50K, 50K Relay) 

• Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 

• Location: Lowes Creek County Park (5238 S Lowes Creek Rd, Eau Claire, WI 54701) 

50K PLAN OPTION 
New this year – a 50K plan option. The 50K training plan includes long runs on both Saturday and Sunday. If you're preparing for the 50K, we strongly recommend also registering for our fall half/full marathon training program to complete your Saturday mileage with the support of the group. Otherwise, you'll need to do this on your own. Sunday mileage/time will be completed with the Dirtbags program. A separate training plan will be provided. 

GROUP RUNS 
This program spans 11 weeks and will feature TIME-BASED weekend runs rather than mileage-based. Sunday runs will range between 1-2ish hours over the course of the program. 
 
Sundays @ 7:30 a.m. 
Group meeting locations will rotate between west, central, and east areas of Madison. Travel time to each location will be under 45 min from the capital.  We will not meet mid-week; instead, we encourage you to attend the Monday and Thursday evening fun runs. See Fleet Feet website for details. 50K athletes that register for the fall half/full marathon program will also have access to Wednesday training group runs. 

• Some tentative meeting locations: Indian Lake, and Gibraltar Rock, Montrose, Cross Plains, and Lodi Marsh segments of the Ice Age Trail.  

 
CAMP DIRTBAG (Sept. 19 – Sept. 21, 2025)  
Peninsula State Park (9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212) 

Wisconsin’s Park for All People is considered Wisconsin’s most complete State Park, offering countless opportunities to experience nature at its finest. Peninsula State Park spans over 3,700 acres and is bordered by 8 miles of bluff lined Green Bay shoreline. The Park features 468 family campsites, three group camps, a summer theater, an 18-hole golf course, sand beach, accessible playground and Nature Center. It also features biking, skiing and hiking trails, a historic lighthouse and a panoramic observation tower that is accessible to all. 
 
Campsite Reservations: 
(Arriving) Friday, Sept. 19 – (Departing) Sunday, Sept. 21 (2 nights, 2 days). 
*Registration fee includes campsite reservations.  
*A vehicle admission sticker is required to enter the park. 
 
We’ll have some organized group runs and a multi-day scavenger hunt designed to point you in the direction of some state park highlights to be completed at your discretion throughout the weekend. Everyone that participates will obtain memories powerful enough to last three lifetimes.  
 
Deadline to RSVP for the camping trip is September 14, 2025. 
 
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: 

• A complete 11-week training plan  

• Strength and core workout videos built into your training plan 

• Hill workouts 

• Includes days we do not meet 

• Weekly program emails with advice, trail training tips, and motivation 

• Expert coaching and guidance 

• Weekly group trail runs on Sundays 

• Custom puffer vest by Burnside (sizing info outlined below) 

• Sampling of nutrition/hydration products and product demos (e.g. trail shoes, hydration systems, etc.) 

• Fleet Feet coupon book 

• Campsite reservations at Peninsula State Park 

• Opportunity to explore various Ice Age Trail segments in our area 

• A supportive environment for all athletic abilities that builds lasting memories, camaraderie, and friendships! 

NOTES/RECOMMENDATIONS 
12.5K: All levels of trail runners are welcome, but we recommend you be able to comfortably run 3 miles 2-3x/week at the start of training and have completed a 10K within the last year.  

50K: You should be comfortable running at least 25-30 miles per week, should be able to complete a long run of around 10-12 miles, and not brand new to running (even if you're training for your first ultra). Having engaged in other endurance activities like cycling or swimming can be beneficial. 

These recommendations are in place to ensure you stay healthy and injury free throughout the season and build on an existing foundation. If you have any questions or concerns about these recommendations, please contact Chris (chris@fleetfeetmadison.com).  

CUSTOM PUFFER VEST SPECIFICS 

Sizing Information: Burnside Elemental Puffer Vest 
*color subject to change 
 

CONTACT 
Fleet Feet Madison, 8440 Old Sauk Rd. | Ph: 608-833-9999 
Fleet Feet Sun Prairie, 2816 Prairie Lakes Dr. #101 | Ph: 608-834-9999 
 
Chris Schepel, Coach | chris@fleetfeetmadison.com 
Megan Sweet, Director of Training Programs | sweetm@fleetfeetmadison.com