First ever “15X” race challenges Northland’s distance runners

SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. — A new type of Northland race will be run in Solon Springs, one that’s definitely not for the faint of heart.

“The race is the ‘NCTRaces 15x’ and it is a one mile repeat every 15 minutes, and if you can’t make it in 15 minutes, you’re out of the race, you’re cut, you’re dropped out, you’re did not finish, and you keep going until one person remains, one winner, last person standing,” said NCTRaces President and race founder Nikk Adams.

While even seasoned runners may think 15-minute miles are relatively easy, Adams is asking them to put their money where their mouth is.

“The general consensus is that most people say “Oh, a 15-minute mile? I could do that all day,” so I tell them to prove it and come do it all day, because they might not be able to,” said Adams.

For the runners brave enough to take the challenge on, they’re rewarded in knowing that their pain and suffering is contributing to a good cause.

“The main goal of NCTRaces is to put on races in order to raise funds for the North Country Trail, and specifically our local chapter of the North Country Trail, which is the Brule St. Croix chapter,” said Adams. “That money goes towards building projects, trail maintenance, boardwalk repairs, bridge repairs, new equipment replacements and stuff like that.”

However, with no technical “finish line”, how long is this new race going to last?

“From looking at registrations, one of the questions I put on there was ‘What is your distance goal?’, and I think seven or eight people put 100 (miles) so far.”

To reach that coveted 100 miles and earn the custom belt buckle that is awarded for the achievement, a racer would have to start running at the 9 a.m. start time on Saturday, and run till 10 a.m. Sunday, nonstop.

“I’m 90% certain that we’ll hit the 100-mile mark, and then it just depends,” said Adams.

“I mean, after you’ve gone 100 miles, are you gonna quit? No, you’re gonna go until you time out and can’t make it in 15 minutes.”

The inaugural 15X race reached maximum registrations, but is only one of a number of races the organization puts on.

More information about the race can be found on NCTRaces’ website.