Saw Wee Kee Trail Race

Saw Wee Kee is a forest preserve park operated by the Oswegoland Park District on the border of Oswego and Yorkville. It was developed in part by the District and the CAMBr mountain bike group. Although not as many miles of trails compared to Palos or Kettle Moraine there are reported 7 miles of MTB trails. Some are wide enough for cross country ski type but much is narily single track.

https://www.oswegolandparkdistrict.org/event/saw-wee-kee-spring-trail-run/

Having always wanting to run this trails I took the opportunity to take part in the Districts annual trail run. A month before they had a flash sale so a group of runners from the Bolingbrook Fun Run Club signed up. We was not to be disappointed.

I arrived fairly early and got parked in the main small lot. Took a short hike down the last part of the course to see what the trail was like. The last 1/4 mile was flat although bumpy and not at all like the rest of the course as  would soon find out. Picked up my race bib and hung out with some BFRC (others would arrive later).

A few unique things about this race is the 4pm start but you can start any time between 4pm and 5pm, runners are sent off one at a time in 15 second intervals and the T shirt plus buff was given out at the finish (all shirts were preassigned so no worries about them running out of your size).

Two weeks ago I had hurt my knee running at Greene Valley. Going up hill is currently an issue and this race was a lot of ups and downs. I knew I'd have to hike much of it but as I just wanted to be out there exploring not an issue. I was probably in the last half to start as others must have lined up before I even ventured over to the start. The RD said some words about the trail course marking consists of pink ribbons hanging from trees and some trail intersections cordoned off. There was also a few course marshals and two aid stations, one we hit twice. She also mentioned one hill had a rope as it had rained heavily the night before. As it was most of the trails were dry and even dusty.

First half a mile was wider track that had some climb but not much. Soon we hit a mile long out and back section that was more narily single track including some rough climbs up and down. One large down/up hill was tough on my injured knee but I made it. Soon we hit a loop section, still single track and with some nice climbing and that rope hill. I was able to avoid the rope until the very top where there was a sort of lip to the summit. After that we ran some rocky down hill sections and had to cross a creek that was ankle deep with clear cold water; some might have jumped it but guessing most just plowed through as I did. Given the air temperature was 80s (yes in April) it was some what refreshing. Back to the out n back where I got to high five with five BFRC who had been the last to start. Got to the last aid station and was directed across the road to the 1/2 mile straight, flat and bump trail along the Fox River to the finish. My Garmin read 3.3 miles at the finish.

Was presented with a cool long sleeve blue tech T shirt trail run and green buff. Nice design on both. For refreshments they had chili from a local restaurant (told it was taste but I don't eat meat), bananas and water.  

Waited for the last BFRC runners to finish then we all pose for the traditional club photo.

(photo via Gladys, BFRC Pres)