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The Gandy Dancer Marathon is a beautiful autumn course, benefiting the luck fire department.

boston qualifying course!

 

Join us on Saturday, October 11, 2025!

CLICK HERE FOR 2024 RACE RESULTS

CLICK HERE FOR 2023 RACE RESULTS

Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for race updates!

 
 

USATF Certification: WI14032DM (2023 Course)

USATF Certification: WI23001MAB (2024 Course)

RACES

Saturday, October 11, 2024

Marathon & Relay - TBD           

5k Run/Walk -                       TBD

Half Marathon-                         TBD

FREE Kids Fun Run TBD

 Registration Opens on january 1, 2025!

THE 2024 GANDY DANCER MARATHON IS A usatf certified course and BOSTON QUALIFier!!!

COURSE Descriptions: (CLICK HERE FOR COURSE MAP)

Marathon: The Gandy Dancer State Trail is a flat and fast limestone surface that should allow you a great chance at a PR and/or a BQ! Starting near the Luck Fire Department, you will head south on the trail for approximately 6.55 miles, just past Milltown, WI, then turn around and head north, back through Luck, and then north approximately 6.55 miles, just past Frederic, WI. In Frederic, you’ll turn back around and head to Luck once more, where you will finish with spectators, volunteers, and music to welcome you across the finish line! The start and finish line are located at the exact same point on the trail. (There is an 8 hour time limit for the Marathon - Please plan accordingly.)

Half Marathon: Starting near the Luck Fire Department, you will head north approximately 6.55 miles, just past Frederic, WI where you will turn around and head back to the finish line on Main Street in Luck!

4-Person Marathon Relay: The Relay will begin at the start/finish line and run south with the full marathoners. Relay exchanges will be held, near the south turnaround in Milltown, near the start/finish line, and at the north turnaround in Frederic. (More info to follow as race day approaches.)

5k: The 5k will also start and end in the same spot near the Luck Fire Department. First, you’ll head north, then turnaround and head back to the finish. There will be one aid station along the 5k out-and-back (that you will pass twice).

Free Kids Fun Run: The kids run will be start and end on the trail just south of 3rd Avenue in Luck, WI. The kids will run south on the trail until Butternut Ave. where they will turn around and head back. The length is roughly a half mile, but the little ones can turn around at anytime they’d like - it’s just for fun!

course information:

Official Chip Timing will be provided again this year by Duluth Timing & Events.

Water and Gatorade will be available at aid stations, as well as an assortment of foods provided by the aid station hosts.

Registered participants are NOT permitted to bring dogs or strollers on the course.

Headphones are allowed, but are discouraged. Participants are responsible for knowing their surroundings.

THIS IS NOT A CLOSED COURSE! Although we will have traffic controlled by the fire department, it is important for participants to watch for cars at all road crossings, regardless of your pace goals. Your safety is the MOST important part of your race.

*There is an 8-hour time limit for the Marathon. Please plan accordingly.

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All finishers will receive a finisher medal.

First Place awards will go to the top Male and top Female finishers, and the top relay team.

RELAY REGISTRATION PRICE IS PER TEAM - NOT EACH INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANT. Teams can be co-ed and individual runners are welcome to run more than one leg of the relay.

Registration Opening Soon!

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TRAINING

We want you to have the best experience possible, not only on race day, but also throughout your training! If you’re new to running, coming back to running, or an esteemed middle/back-of-packer, these beginner training plans are your jam! Check them out and let us know what you think.

📄5k Run-walk plan

📄first time Half Marathon PLan

📄first time Marathon plan

These plans were created and provided by Coach Erika Albano of Run Well Coaching - if you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Erika at RunWellCoaching@gmail.com.

 
 
 

Training Tips from Coach Erika:

  • Try to run a majority of the long runs on a gravel trail or packed trail. The footing can be different from the roads. Comfortable socks and shoes should be considered as well.  

  • If days or workouts need to change, try to make sure there aren’t two workouts (hard runs) in a row. 

  • If weeks need to be changed, consider the total weekly mileage to make sure it doesn’t exceed 5% of the previous week's mileage.

  • Some weeks may look like more easy miles than workouts, that’s ok! Life happens. Jump back into the workouts when you can. 

  • Most long runs should be run at an easy pace, near conversation level.

  • Prepare for race day as much as possible. Eat, drink and sleep like you would before/on race day as often as you can. Trial and error with food during long runs is key to finding what works for you.

  • For questions or personalized advice, contact Coach Erika at RunWellCoaching@gmail.com

PACKET PICKUP AND RACE DAY

Packet PICKUP

Location:  Luck Fire Hall 115 West Street Luck WI 54853

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2024 - 5pm-7pm

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2024 - 6:30am-8:30am

RACE DAY

PARKING IS AVAILABLE AT THE FIRE HALL.  THERE WILL BE ATTENDANTS TO DIRECT YOU WHERE TO PARK.  

Saturday, October 7, 2022

  • Marathon & 4-Person Relay - 7:30am

  • 5k Run/Walk - 7:45am

  • Half Marathon - 8:30am

  • Kids Fun Run presented by PowerUp St. Croix - 11:00am

 Finish Line Party

 New in 2024! Hog Wild BBQ and Ultra Cup Coffee will be serving up food and drinks on 2nd Ave, just steps from the start/finish line!

 Click Here to Register Now!

2024 Gandy Dancer Ambassador Program 

Thank you for your interest in the 2024 Gandy Dancer Marathon Ambassador Program. The goal of this program is to not only promote our races, but to also spread the word about the positive impact this weekend makes on our runners and the running community. 

As a part of this program, we ask that Gandy Ambassadors tag the Gandy Dancer Marathon Instagram and/or Facebook pages twice per month in social media posts regarding running, training, and racing, from March 2024 through October 2024. You will also be added to our Ambassador community page on Facebook so we can share information and updates with you.

In participating as a Gandy Ambassador, you will receive free registration (including your t-shirt and medal) to the 5k, Half Marathon, or Marathon. 

Marathon Relay Teams are allowed to apply. All 4 members must fill out the application separately and include your relay team name at the bottom. If chosen, your team will receive registration (including your t-shirts and medals) to the Marathon Relay.

Applications will be open February 1-February 21, 2024. Those applicants chosen as Ambassadors will be notified in early March 2024.

We look forward to getting to know you better over the next few months and seeing you in October!

The 2024 Application is now closed. We hope you’ll apply next year!

A special thanks to our generous 2024 Sponsors:

If you are interested in becoming a Sponsor, please email GandyDancerMarathon@gmail.com.

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Lodging

Luck Campground/Luck Golf Course - 5min drive from the start line

Outdoors Inn - Balsam Lake, WI - 15min drive from the start line

Holiday Inn Express - St. Croix Falls, WI - 2omin drive from the start line

The Lodge at Crooked Lake - Siren, WI - 25min drive from the start line

Best Western Northwoods Lodge - Siren, WI - 25min drive from the start line

Dining

Red Maple Eatery - Luck, WI

Café Wren - Luck, WI

Bon Ton Tavern - Luck, WI

Balsam Lake Brewery & Market - Balsam Lake, WI

Shopping

710 Mercantile - Luck, WI

One 10 Gallery - Frederic, WI

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VOLUNTEER

Want to take part in all the fun, but don’t want to run? We get it! There’s plenty of room for you to help out on race weekend. In fact, this event relies on awesome people like you to support our runners and their families/friends!

click here to register as a volunteer

If you have questions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator: Click here to email Erika

CONTACT US

 

RACE DIRECTOR: 

GandyDancerMarathon@Gmail.com