EVENT DESCRIPTION

WINONA'S CHASE THE DAY is the ultimate trail Ultra - for us all. Inviting all runners of all abilities together in one place to run, eat, sit by the fire, hang out with friends, and reach a new milestone. Ever dream of accomplishing a marathon distance. Maybe even a 100K or 100 mile. This is the way to accomplish those life long running goals. Choose between 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, or find a team and go 24 hours in any order or format you wish! Regardless of age, fitness, or speed, this event is for you.

Competitive? Great, you have 6, 12, or 24 hours to complete as many laps as you can. The person (or 3 person team) with the most laps wins a great prize. For the truly competitive, this will be a true test of mental and physical strength and endurance.

For the rest of us, let's get together and have a blast. Run some. Walk some. Sleep some. Throw in some late night fireside chats, add great food and drink, and we have the ultimate Winona Forest Ultra trail festival.

Our permit will allow for camping at the staging area.

The fun begins at 8am Saturday morning. Runners will line up at the start line, and head out to complete the 2.6 mile loop. The trail is very well maintained. No roots. No rocks. Nothing technical. Smooth, with no significant elevation gains or descents.

Go at your own pace. Decide how fast and how often. Take off at 8am, and you’re in it for your chosen time. Pace and speed do not matter. This race is meant to test your limits, reach your special milestone, or simply have fun, and everything in between.

Packet pick up will be on Friday, May 15 from 4-7pm at the start/finish area OR race morning starting at 6:30am.

Chase the Day Shirt Deadline May 2

You must be signed up by May 2 to get a custom Chase the Day Hoodie

Why Chase the Day?

There’s something different about a 24-hour ultra. It’s not just a race—it’s a journey measured in footsteps, courage, and the quiet determination to keep moving forward. Chase the Day captures all of that and more. Set deep within the serene beauty of Winona Forest, runners experience winding trails, towering trees, starlit skies, and the shared spirit of a community that celebrates every victory—big or small. Whether you’re chasing miles, chasing growth, or chasing the feeling of being absolutely unstoppable, this 24-hour trail ultra offers an unforgettable adventure from the first step to the final lap.

3 Person Team Category:

The 3 person team only applies to the 24 Hour option. Find a couple friends and register as a team. True camaraderie here. Again, most laps wins, but your team decides how to accumulate the laps. You could all take turns, earning one lap at a time, or double up/triple up and get 2 or 3 laps at a time. Totally up to the team.

How do you win?

The winner is determined by the person who completes the most laps in their designated chosen time. If there is more than one person who has the same number of laps, the person who completes that number of laps the fastest is the winner. The “last” lap must be completed before either 2PM Saturday (for 6 Hour Finisher's) 8PM Saturday (for 12 Hour Finisher's) or 8am Sunday for 24 Hour Finisher's. The winning "3 person-team" finishes the 24 hours with the most laps. All lappers must cross the finish line by 8AM to be counted.

Weather:

Certainly can't predict, but average temperatures for this location on May 17 are lows in the 40’s, and highs in the upper 60’s.

The 100 Mile buckle

Those that are able to complete 100 miles within the 24 HR period, earn a custom made belt buckle.

Other Logistical Items:

There will be space around the Start/Finish for personal aid stations, typically a pop-up/easy up tent. Consider a screen tent, lounge chairs, and a table for your food and beverages.
There will be plenty of water coolers on site until Sunday morning when we pick up the race site.
We will have 2 port-a-johns on site for the weekend. Race is capped at 100 people.
This will be a 100% cup free race so please be prepared with your own bottle or cup for drinks.
There will be 1 main aid station, located near Start/Finish. The manned aid station will offer typical Ultra nutrition as well as a variety of hot foods throughout the 24 hours. Electrolyte replacement provided by Tailwind. If you have special dietary interests please consider bringing what you need.
Parking is free and the parking area is located very close to the route, start/finish, and your personal tent.

Camping

Participant “Base camp” may be set up beginning Friday at 5PM. Start/Finish staging area will not be set up until that time. If you want to set up an additional tent site outside the start/finish gate, camping will be permitted around the CCC Camp area during the event. Space is limited, however. Tents may be set up in grassy areas beginning Friday May 16. Personal camp fires are not allowed. Campers? Reasonably sized will work, but there is only so much space. However, campervans and reasonably sized RV's may be parked in the parking areas. There are no facilities at CCC camp, porta-potties will be in place beginning Friday. Per our temporary permit, camping will no longer be permitted 24 hours after the event ends. There are multiple primitive campsites in close proximity to the race venue that can handle large campers.

Chase the Day RULES

Format is simple, start at 8am, and complete as many laps as you can in your chosen distance/hours. Each time you enter back into the start/finish gate, check in with the timer to be sure you have been accounted for.

If you are participating as a 3 person team, you and your teammates have the flexibility to go out as often as you like during the 24hrs. All 3 could go together and stay together and accumulate 3 laps at a time. OR, any other arrangement.

Runners and Teams will be able to set up a personal area with chairs, tents, etc. around the start/finish course-line area for personal aid, gear, and rest between laps. Personal tent location on a first come-first served format.

There will be one common aid station that you will pass by, located near the staging area.
Trekking poles are allowed.
For 24 hour runners only - You may have 1 pacer beginning 12 hrs into the event, so 8PM.
WINONA volunteers and crew will provide aid at the start/finish line.
Only active runners and crew may leave personal gear set up in the grass area at the start/finish, there is no camping or camp fires allowed in this area.

2026 SCHEDULE

Friday May 16, 2026 5PM-7PM
Personal Aid/Tent set-up at CCC Camp
Early check in/bib pickup

Saturday May 16, 2026
6AM Personal Aid/Tent Set-up
7AM Check IN, bib pick-up
7:45AM Race Course Briefing
8AM Official START.

Event's current local time: 6:12 AM ET