KenoshaRunningCompany
Watch for our 2022 event
Calling The Mare Trail Adventure (formerly Pike River)
Not only does the Pike River Trail Run/Walk/CaniCross have a NEW home at Seno K/RLT Conservancy, it now has a NEW name as well (Calling the Mare Trail Adventure Run/Walk & Canicross). This land was donated by Dr. Elvira Seno, directing its 127-acre (now nearly 240 acres) facility in western Kenosha County toward educating the public on prudent land management for sustainable forestry practices with related benefits to wildlife and natural beauty. Dr. Elvira Seno wished her beloved “Slippery Slopes” tree farm to become a place for others to learn about trees and nature. Dr. Seno passed away in November 1996. In her last year, she saw her dream fulfilled as buses full of children came to learn about forests and nature on her beautiful farm.
What does “Calling the Mare” mean?
In Medieval England, September was always known as the Harvest month, and as the many farmers would gather in the last of their crops, trying to prove that they had reaped the best crops they would try and beat their neighbouring farmers to complete the work first. There was a fun ceremony known as “Calling the Mare” and this involved quickly gathering the last sheaf of the harvest and shaping it into a mare shape, then delivering it to the neighbouring farmers land, shouting “Mare, Mare.” This was supposed to signify that wild horses would come and eat their harvest if they didn’t gather it in quickly. Once the receiving farmer had finished gathering his crop, he would pass it onto the next farmer who had not finished until it reached the last farmer. This last farmer would then have to keep the “Mare” on display for a year to show that he was the slowest farmer. Similarly, corn dolls were also weaved into shapes and placed in the corn fields as farmers believed that these corn dolls were the spirit of the corn goddess. It was believed that if you did not place a corn doll in your fields, the corn goddess would die and so would your crops.
The trail is double wide, running through woods, open prairie, hills throughout with some a bit more challenging, surface is grass dirt and a couple very short sections of gravel road.
Distances: 3.3, 5.3, 7.3 and 9.3 miles. The first loop is modified for the extra distance and each following loop is 2 miles.
Cani "Cross" America Virtual Option:
The Largest CaniCross Series in the Country now offers the Cani "Cross" America Virtual Option to this event.
Simply click on the REGISTER TODAY! button and select the virtual option when registering.
We will track your total miles for each event, provide you with some great swag throughout this season's eight events and help in organizing "meet up" locations across the U.S.
the Red White & BluePROGRAM
Starting with our September 19th event... the Kenosha Running Company is humbled and thankful to announce that all military veterans, active duty serviceman, reserves, police, sheriffs and their spouses will be able to run/walk ALL of our events for FREE. The past few years we selected about 70% of events to be free, but I think it is about time that I stepped up with the support of all you and simply make them all without charge and with your collective thank you.
The past sixteen months have been especially tough for our law enforcement in Kenosha, surroundings area and throughout the country. The most recent deaths of thirteen young Marines in Kabul, only confirms this update in our Red White & Blue Program is warranted. Those that have supported our Military program in the past... a huge thank you. Those that have served us locally and internationally I am humbled and thankful for your service.
If you qualify, please email us or call (262) 925-0300 to receive a discount code for the FREE entry. Please note, you will have to show proper identification at packet pick up. Please consider a donation to support this program so it will be maintainable and sustainable for many years to come. Donations may be made online with your race registration to the Red, White & Blue Program or simply mail your check (made out to Kenosha Running Company) to KRC, P.O. Box 126, Kenosha, WI 53141.