The North Face Endurance Challenge – coming to the Southern Kettles.

For the past few years, Laacke & Joys has been the local retail sponsor of The North Face Endurance Challenge, which comes to the Milwaukee/Madison area every Fall. This year, the event is scheduled for Saturday & Sunday, September 17-18 and will take place in the Southern Kettle. Home base is Ottawa Lake, located in Dousman, WI. This is where the event start/finish line is located and where all vendors will be set up, including Laacke & Joys.

The North Face Endurance Challenge is a two day event comprised of 7 different events including a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, Marathon, 50K and Gore-Tex® 50 mile. Participants choose their event and register online through The North Face Endurance Challenge website: http://www2.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge/races/2011/wi/index.html

Our Downtown Camping and Paddlesports Manager, Dan Pribek, will be running the marathon this year. He has participated in the event for the past two years, running the Half Marathon. This year, he has been training for the marathon, and will be running with his sister. “The North Face Endurance Challenge is a very unique event and is well organized. It will be great to hit the trails again this year… let’s hope for some dry weather!”

Packet pickup for all participants will be at our Brookfield Store:
• Thursday, 9/15 from 10am-8pm
• Friday, 9/16 from 10-7pm (panel presentation begins at 6:30pm)

There will be a panel presentation on Friday night beginning at 6:30pm. The presentation will include the Race Director and special guests including Ultramarathon Man, Dean Karnazes (link below). They will talk about the event, race course conditions and will take questions. The panel presentation will run until 7:30-8:00pm and will take place at our Brookfield Store.

Brookfield Store address:
19233 W. Bluemound Road
Brookfield, WI 53045
(262) 782-2960

Below are a few Frequently asked Questions & Answers:

1) Why can’t I register online?
a. Online registration closes the Monday before the race. If they would like to still register they will need to come to packet pickup or arrive early in the morning so we have time to register them

2) Can I pick up my packet at the race or do I have to come to the store?
a. You can pick up your packet at the race, that is no problem.

3) Can I pick up someone else’s packet?
a. Yes, but you need to either have their ID or call them and let them speak to us for permission

4) Can I still register for the race?
a. Yes, but you will need to come to packet pickup or arrive early the day of the race

5) Can I change my race distance?
a. Yes, please come to packet pickup or you may do so the day of the race.

6) What time is the panel event?
a. 6:30pm on Friday night at Laacke & Joys – Brookfield Store

About Dean Karnazes:
http://www.ultramarathonman.com/flash/

Driving Directions to Start/Finish Festival (Ottawa Lake):

From Milwaukee:
Take Interstate 94 West to State Highway 67. Take a left onto I-67 to go South. Take a right onto County Highway ZZ to go West. Travel approximately 200 yards to recreational area.

From Chicago:
Take Interstate 94 West to State Highway 50 (Kenosha). Go West on State Highway 50 to U.S. Highway 12 (Lake Geneva). Go West on U. S. Highway 12 to State Highway 67 (Elkhorn). Take a right to go North on State Highway 67. Go 5 miles past Eagle to get to County Highway ZZ. Take a left to go West on County Highway ZZ. Travel approximately 200 yards to recreational area.

From Madison:
Take Interstate 94 East to State Highway 67 (Oconomowoc). Take a right to go South on State Highway 67. Take a right to go West on County Highway ZZ. Travel approximately 200 yards to recreational area.

From Janesville:
Take State Highway 26 North to State Highway 59 (Milton). Take a right to go East on State Highway 59. Take a right to go North on State Highway 67. Take a left to go West on County Highway ZZ. Travel ap- proximately 200 yards to recreational area.

From Rockford/Beloit:
Take Interstate 90 North to State Highway 26 (Janesville). Take State Highway 26 North to State High- way 59 (Milton). Take a right to go East on State Highway 59. Take a right to go North on State Highway 67. Take a left to go West on County Highway ZZ. Travel approximately 200 yards to recreational area.

From Fox River Valley:
Take U. S. Highway 41 South to State Highway 67 (Lomira). Take a right to go South on State Highway 67. Take a right to go West on County Highway ZZ, South of Dousman. Travel approximately 200 yards to recreational area.