Washington island ultra
experience washington island
Craig Braun | Race Director
The Washington Island Ultra is one of those events that just resonates with the soul. The drive north, through Door County is one of my favorites. It's a beautiful drive & I know what's waiting for me at the tip of the state. Arriving to Northport, driving onto the ferry ...you enter into a whole new world. I can't explain it, but something changes in your heart. It's relaxing, it's exciting, it's the realization that this is happening and holy sh*t you're racing an ultra triathlon on an Island.
The people of this event make it what it is. The butter smooth roads, crystal clear water, and star packed night skies are all just extra cherries on top. Of all the events I've ever raced or directed, there's just something special about this place and I hope everyone who wishes to experience Washington Island does get the chance to do so.
I look forward to serving you on race week and can't wait to watch y'all find your limit, and then go a few more miles.
See you on the Island,
RACE MENU
ATHLETES
ISLAND FAVORITES
SIMILAR EVENTS
24 Hours of Triathlon
Bryson City Ultra Relay
Bent Fork Ultra
RESULTS
QUESTIONS?
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
Craig Braun | Race Director
e: craig@mammothendurance.com
p: (262) 685-8968
HOW TO REGISTER
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR 2021.
Due to the popularity of this race, beginning after the 2021 event, we'll be adopting a lottery system along with a priority registration for any athlete who has raced the event in the previous three years.
Priority Registration
All athletes who have completed on the island in the three previous years of the event will receive a reserved registration link to the email that was used during registration. This link will be sent out on the third Thursday of August and will remain active for one week, or, until we hit 140 registered athletes. If you have raced in the last three years and lost your registration link, please click here.
Lottery
RACE DATES / SPECIFICS
Race Dates
July 29 - 31, 2021
July 28 - 30, 2022
Race Location
Gislason Beach
1474 S. Shore Dr.
Washington Island, WI 54246
Car Ferry
For ferry schedule / rates, please
click here.
36hr Start | Thursday @ 10:00pm CST - Saturday @10:00am CST.
24hr Start | Friday @ 10:00am CST- Saturday @10:00am CST.
12hr Start | Friday @ 10:00am CST- Friday @10:00pm CST.
Disciplines
Triathlon, Duathlon, Run, Swim.
Categories
Solo, Teams of up to 8.
*Teams of 4 or more are required to volunteer for 2 hours during the event.
*Teams of 8 or more are required to volunteer for 4 hours during the event.
RACE FORMAT
The ultimate goal of the event is to complete the most complete triathlons, duathlons or single discipline legs as possible in the alloted time choosen.
Single discipline athletes, such as an ultra cycling or ultra swimming athlete must try to complete as many loops as possible. The winner is simply the indivudual / team who has completed the most laps during the rae.
Duathlon, participants have the goal of completing as many full duathlons (run - bike - run) as possible. If a team or individual has completed 10 runs and 5 bikes, they finish with 5 complete duathlons. If a team or individual has completed 9 runs and 5 bikes, they finish with 4 complete duathlons + a run and a bike. If a team or individual has completed 10 runs and 4 bikes, they finish with 4 complete duathlons + a run.
_______
36hr participants are required to start the event by completing one guided lap on the bike.
24hr / 12hr / 8hr participnats may start on either. the swim, bike or run. You are allowed to repeat disciplines as many times as you'd like before moving on to another discipline. For example, you may complete 15 swims in a row before moving onto the run or bike.
TEAMS will have only one team member on course at a time. Upon completion of a team members lap, another team member may begin. Completion of lap happens when that team member reaches the triple cone in the transition area and yells your team number to our timer. You do not share a bib number, but rather all team members will have their own wristband with your team number on it - making transition fast and easy. Teams can privde support to their team memebrs inside the transition area, but may not utilize the solo tables for storing extra bottles / fuel.
For any questionos, please reach out to Craig -
craig@mammothendurance.com
ATHLETE GIFTS
36hr / 24hr Solo Athletes
- Washington Island Ultra embroidered backpack
- Mammoth Endurance water bottle
- Athlete Long Sleeve shirt
- $20 merchandise credit
- Hand assembled finishers medal
36hr / 24hr Team Athletes
- Washington Island Ultra drawstring bag
- Mammoth Endurance water bottle
- Athlete Long Sleeve shirt
- $15 merchandise credit
- Hand assembled finishers medal
8hr / 12hr Solo Athletes
- Mammoth Endurance water bottle
- Athlete Long Sleeve shirt
- $15 merchandise credit
- Hand assembled finishers medal
8hr / 12hr Team Athletes
- Mammoth Endurance water bottle
- Athlete Long Sleeve shirt
- $5 merchandise credit
- Hand assembled finishers medal
- An incredibly awesome race
HISTORY OF THE EVENT
In the winter of 2013, I myself in deep pit of anxiety and depression - a slump if you will. I was desperate to crawl my way out of this funk and get back on track with training and life. So, I went looking for a place to reset, be quiet and reasess my life, my goals, my everything. I hadn't been to Door County but it seemed like a place that was pretty quiet, especially in the winter seasons, so I packed a bag and headed as north as I could. Little did I know I'd have to get on a car ferry to an island... When I arrived, I went for a beer, grabbed some food and stumbled into a gentleman name Herb (he called himself Gibson). He told me he owned a West Harbor Resort and I needed a place to stay so it sounded good to me. I don't know if Herb remembers stumbling into me, but that night changede my life forever as he sat up with me and chatted away like old friends. I woke up the next morning, drove sarund the Island for a bit and headed home. Easy as that - I was out of my funk, thanks to Herb. The following year, My wife and had a weekend away from our son, Leo Gibson Braun (catch that middle name?), so we headed to the Island since I talked to mich abouot it. We decided to skip the car and rented some bikes on once we goot off the ferry. We rode around, found more lovely people on called this place home and cruised along butter smooth roads to places like Schoolhouse Beach, Island Cafe, Red Cup, Albatross, Gislasons, Sand Dunes and so many more wonderfull places. We caught the last ferry back and it was then I decided, I need to be a part of this place - I need to bring a race here.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Our Village is located at Gislason Beach and is a large grass area where we setup camp for a few days. There is a beautiful view of the water and a large red barn area for shelter in case we experience weather. We have a designated sleeping tent area, and a designated pop up / hangout area in the village.
Our pop up tent area is located right up by the race action. Each solo team and teams of 3 are allowed a 10x10 space for a pop up tent. Teams of 4+ are allowed a 10x15 pop up space. Rows are marked, please pop up your tent right next to one another to allow for room for everyone to have their tent. Tent walls are Ok, no generators, no fires of any kind please - propane camp stoves are Ok.
Bike racks are made available for everyone to store their bikes. Choose any spot on the racks. Bike racks are located right in front of timing so there's always somone keeping an eye on them!
Taco Dinner and 2am Pizza are served inside the Red Barn. Make sure you have your food ticket with you before you come up to grab your grub!
Charging stations are available throughout the village. One is located just outside the red barn, one is located in the timing tent and another is locvated at Emerys bike supprt tent.
The Island store is located up front and has nutrition for sale, merchandise and other things you may find usefull like lights, batteries, etc...
We only accept cash at the store as service and internet is difficult to find on the island.
COURSE DETAILS
Night Hours are from 7:00pm (or sunset) until 7:00am (or sunrise). Race officials will give you an hours notice prior the night hours going into affect. It is mandatory that all athletes have a bright white light on the front of their bike as well as a blinking red light on the rear. Runners must wear a headlight while on the run course. You will not be allowed to leave the transition area or continue on without the proper lighting once we have entered into the night hours of the race. We will have extra lights and batteries available for purchase.
SWIM COURSE | 0.25 mile open water swim
The course is clearly marked with three buoys. You'll be swimming in a clockwise 0.24 mile loop. The swim course is closed from 6:00pm - 7:00am.
There are a few rolling hills as you pass by the lavender fields on the north side of the route. Please ride with caution - it is recommended you practice some night time bike riding before you make your way up to race this event.
White headlights and a red blinking tail light are required during the night hours.
Headlamps or handheld lights are required during the night hours! Shhh.. make sure you turn off your light for at least a few seconds while running at night - the stars are incredible out on the course! After you do that for a few short seconds, TURN YOUR LIGHT BACK ON :).
(download run course)
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
THURSDAY SOE
** please note that overnight camping is not allowed at Gislason Beach before or after the event. There is a wonderfull campground (washington island campground) just down the road. Please click th elink above to book and enjoy your stay at the campground. They are wonderful people and do a fantasatic job! Plus they have showers!
WASHINGTON ISLAND FERRY
In order for you to get to the race site, you will need to take a 30min ferry ride from the tip of Door County, to Detriot Harbor on Washington Island. If you've never riden the Ferry before, please read the details below to learn how it works and be prepared.
Washington Island Ferry
1. Please allow for an extra hour to. wait in line at the ferry. We've found there to be longer lines during the summer season as the Island can be a popular place for visitors. Expect to wait in line!
2. Once you are near the front of the line, you may exit your car and walk to the small ticket building right at the front of the docks. Pay for your ticket with cash or card. You can find pries here. Make sure you keep BOTH TICKETS as one of them is your ride to the island, and the other your ride off the island.
3. Once its your turn to drive onto the ferry, you will be directed by the crew on where to park. They squeeze cars in tight, so if you feel uncofmrtable parking on the boat, the crew will park youor vehicle for you. Once you're parked, turn on your parking break and turn off your vehicle. You may stay inside your car, or head up to the deck on the top of the ferry and enjoy the ride. It can be wavy, sometimes really wavy - all part of the experience ;)
For additional details and a ferry scheudle - please visit
https://wisferry.com
ISLAND MEDICAL
Our race director andf many of th crew are certified in CPR, lifeguarding and have been through general first aid classes. This is an ultra endurance event on an island, please use your brain and dn't be an idiot while competing. Push your limits, but know when your body is telling you no more.
We do have access to a wonderful island clinic in the case of an emergency. In the case of a serious emergency you will be air lifted off the Island and taken to Sturgeon Bay.
We do have basic medical supplies at the timing tent.
ATHLETE GUIDE
Please check back closer to the event for your complete athlete guide with pit assignments, athlete roster and more.
2021 Athlete Guide - link not active
WE SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
Hand Made Medals
As someone who races ultras myself, and understand the amount of time, money, and work that gets put in to complete an ultra event, It seemed silly to have some random person design your medal, only for it then to be made in China for a few bucks... So, we changed that.
In 2020, we began designing, cutting, painting and assembling all finisher medals by hand. We spend hours gluing the tiny pieces together and coming up with the coolest design we can. I'll be honest, it's a bit more work than we thought it was going to be, but in the end, when all the medals are together and we get to hand you a bad ass, hand made finishers medal that actually means something, it's so worth it.
You put in the hours training, you should be rewarded with something unique made by people behind the event.
SHOP OFFICIAL ISLAND ULTRA GEAR
carefully selected gear that goes the extra mile





DINNER MENU
-
Our signature potato tacos!
2 soft shell potato & chickpea tacos
-
Drink (water, soda, juice)
-
Pickle & choice of chips
-
Fresh fruit salad
*Tacos are made vegan, gluten free tortillas
are available upon request. Please let us know
of any food allergies during registration.
Glu
Taco Time
"After a long day, or two, these tacos hit. the. spot."
_
"I've never had potato tacos, but I'm a fan now! Ordering double for next year"
_
"I race for the tacos"
OH YA... AND THERE'S 2:00AM PIZZA SERVED
EVENT SPONSORS
SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT RACES!








