Course Description
The Perry Lake trail is divided into 5 sections for our Slough and Steady race, and offers 3,300 feet of elevation gain for the 50k loop. The trail is marked in blue paint that appears on trees and posts. Occasionally there will be a reflective blue arrow. A double blue mark indicates a distinct right or left turn. These blue marks should be easily discernible in December.
The first section out of the start/finish at Apple Valley will be the most challenging with greater changes in topography and elevation. After leaving Apple Valley and heading up through Longview Park in a northerly direction, the trail heads through woodlands and skirts Lake Perry. There are several high bluffs along this section that offer incredible views. There will be an unmanned water drop 4.7 miles into this section, and 3.5 miles after that unmanned aid station you will reach the Old Military Trail trailhead parking lot and the first fully stocked manned aid station. **This will be the turnaround for the 25k race. 25k runners will check in at the aid station and retrace their steps back to Apply Valley and the start/finish.** This first section is a great opportunity to spot bald eagles!
The second section from the Old Military Trail trailhead aid station to Kiowa Road is 3.5 miles long. It heads northeast through the back waters of Little Slough Creek and is the most northerly part of the course. The trail leads up and out of the Military Trail parking lot and immediately crosses Ferguson Road. Look directly ahead for a blue marker across the road to the east and watch for traffic! Early in this section you will reach a gravel road (94th street), at which point you will look immediately left (west) down the road to find the blue marker indicating where you jump back into the woods. The trail generally follows Little Slough Creek from above and ends at Kiowa Road where you will turn right (south).
The third section, comprised of Kiowa Road and then 82nd street, is your chance to enjoy some runnable gravel as you head south for 3.6 miles. There will be a manned aid station at the old Lowry school building 1.7 miles down Kiowa after you've started this section. A short .7 miles after the aid station you will divert off of Kiowa to the west and onto 82nd street which is a low maintenance dirt road. Keep an eye out for course markings here. If you find yourself crossing Big Slough Creek, you’ve gone too far. You’ll continue on the dirt of 82nd street 1.2 miles until you hit the next section, a hard left hand turn back onto true trail (markers!). Please note, this short section of 82nd street can be muddy.
The fourth section begins once you’re off of 82nd street and back onto trail. This remote portion is 4.7 miles long and includes timber, drainage areas, and field crossings. In these open fields, look for the blue trail markers on trees and fence posts around the edges of the fields. Eventually, you will reach Ferguson Road and cross over (Look both ways) to continue on the trail, directly to the next manned aid station at the Slough Creek boat ramp. From the boat ramp aid station you will continue roughly west and south for about 4.6 miles to the next manned aid station at the Slough Creek campground.
The 5th and final section begins at the Slough Creek campground and continues in a northerly direction for 6 miles back to the start finish. This part of the trail features (mostly) gentle slopes, open fields, woodlands and lake views. As you near Apple Valley and the start/finish area there will be a creek crossing that may or may not involve wet feet, depending on conditions.
The 25k course description
The 25K will consist of running to the first aid station- Old military TH- at about 7 1/2 miles in, and turning around and returning to the start finish. There will be one water only aid stop at about 4 miles outbound and 3 1/2 miles inbound.
Event's current local time: 4:47 PM CT
