This run started at the trailhead in Hortonville, WI, and ended near Parker John's BBQ in Oshkosh. I started at the center of the parking lot in Hortonville and ended at the trail underpass tunnel for Carl E. Steiger Park (Hwy 44). I was dropped off by my wife in Hortonville and picked up by my daughter in Oshkosh. I passed approximately 30 people (at least 10 on bikes) and 20 dogs (sometimes 3 or 4 dogs per person) during the course of the run. No one ran with me. Most people I passed were heading North while I was heading South.
It was a cold start with dense fog that did not burn off until after mile 10. Forgot gloves. My hands were numb for the first 10 miles. There is always someone hunting in rural Wisconsin, so of course there were gun shots just as I started in Hortonville and again closer to Oshkosh before mile 17. The trail at mile 17 has no shade so it got a bit warm. Hamstring tightness slowed me at mile 20. I dislike the section that is city sidewalk 1.5 miles from end. However, there were a number of road crossings where people in cars were very nice and stopped to let me pass.
All told it was a beautiful day for a run, a bit cold to start and warm to finish. There was no wind and there were no mosquitos. I enjoyed running past the dairy cows at mile 15.5 and there was a picturesque spiderweb along the trail that glistened in the sun at mile 16 or so. I had hoped to do 8:45 pace, however I did a bit better than that.
I carried all my gear with me. I carried all my water. Due to fog I also used a headlamp for the first 8 miles. In fact I carried a few more ounces of water and gels than were absolutely necessary and dumped the last half-water bottle on my head after I finished. I took numerous pictures, but not all turned out well. I needed to hook up my external battery to my phone half-way through and could not take pictures for a stretch just after mile 12.
Thanks to those who added this route as an FKT. I have lived in the area my whole life, and this was only my second time running this trail. It is a beautiful time of year to be outside in Wisconsin. I would love to try this again supported or self-supported to see if I could pick up another 15 seconds per mile.