All organized runs have their draw. For some it’s the course with its challenges or beautiful scenery. For others it’s the competition or timing or charitable cause.
I can say without reservation that, for me and, I suspect, many others, the appeal –the whole point, really — of the Cheesehead Run is the food.
My oh my what a spread!
I’d heard about this run for years from my husband. It’s by far his favorite race of the year. But I’d never been able to participate until this year.
We took off midpack and cleared the charming town of Hilbert before we found our stride. Then it was a simple out and back past an idling fire truck and we clomped toward home — a couple of plow horses heading for the barn.
I heard my name as I crossed the finish line. Then I heard it again as I made my way back along the course to take some pictures. After I heard it a third time, I took my racing bib off because clearly I was inadvertently confusing the finish line spotters.
Rookie error.
Eventually we made our way to the food tent I’d been hearing about for years. And there it was: oatmeal with all the fixings and homemade granola, Caesar Salad, roasted hot dogs with sauerkraut, brisket with a tangy horseradish sauce, cookies, scones and, because this was a Wisconsin race, string cheese, chocolate milk and beer.
I know oatmeal doesn’t sound all that exciting but, trust me, this stuff was decadent. It tasted like a warm cookie you could tell yourself was healthy and she’d pretend to believe you.
With the food tent stationed right outside the Village Hearthstone Restaurant and cheerful servers constantly restocking, everyone got to enjoy the all-you-can-eat extravaganza (though non participants are asked to pay a fair $10 fee to dig in).
I highly recommend the race billed the “cheeziest” and most delicious in Wisconsin.
So cheesy!!
How fun!!