The Sap Run Scramble
March 20, 2027
Two roads diverged in a wood…
Foodie 5K Scramble
The Foodie 5K Scramble- A slippery, muddy, family friendly 5K through the maple woods during syrup season, with maple-based snack stops every kilometer or so. Finish the day with wood fired pizzas, beverages and music around the fire.
Last Person Standing
The Last Person Standing- One hour to complete a 5K with ~1000 feet of elevation through the maple woods, then repeat, on the hour, until you can’t! The race continues until only one person has completed every loop in under one hour. Will it be you?
About the Sap Run
The Sap Run 5K route is a rugged, slippery jaunt through our maple woods during syrup season. The route is designed to be interesting and accomplishable to most everyone, from seasoned trail runners exploring the unique experience of a maple woods in harvest, to folks pushing themselves to get more active in beautiful places.
The Foodie 5K and Last Person Standing Ultra traverse the same route- for 2027 we’re adding some optional “Sneaky Snacky Shortcuts” to cut out some of the toughest terrain for the snacking bunch- LPS, you gotta do it all!
5Kers have 4 hours to snack their way through the forest, exploring maple-based snacks and drinks along the way, followed by wood fired pizzas, beverages and music up at Ramp Camp.
LPS Racers have an hour to complete a lap of the 5K course, with a new lap starting each hour. To continue, you must be at the starting line at on the hour. Do a lap or two or four or twenty-four or more! How long can you last?
The course traverses old logging roads, dry washes, and deer paths across steep hillsides. The route is often off-trail and requires paying attention to terrain and course markers. Snack stops will be available in the woods until 4pm, when all aid will be available at Ramp Camp.
Location & Schedule
The Embark Maple Farm- 30904 Rognstad Ridge Road, Cashton, WI 54619
March 20, 2027, Noon till done!
9:30 am- Farm opens for LPS check in
10:30am- Farm Opens for 5K check in.
Noon- Let the Scramble Begin! LPS, followed by 5K
Noon-4pm- Maple Snack Stops & drinks available on course
Hourly- Another lap begins for LPS racers
Sugar House Tours throughout the day, schedule permitting
After scrambling, the fun moves to Ramp Camp to cheer on remaining LPS racers, enjoy woodfired pizzas, music and tasty beverages around the fire.
Note: The farm address isn’t chronological with surrounding addresses, look for the fox at the end of a long gravel drive, we’re a half mile off the road.
What to Bring & Plan FOr
We recommend good shoes, hiking poles and play clothes- chances are you’ll get muddy! The scramble is a rain, snow or shine event- dress appropriately!
Bring a sense of adventure, a water bottle, and your best directional awareness. The scramble is through the woods on old logging trails, not clearly marked and maintained paths, so there is an element of “way-finding” via the ribbons and foxes distributed along the route. Grown-ups- if you’d like to sample the maple cocktails along course, bring an ID please.
For folks Embarking on the Last Person Standing route, bring a headlamp. There is no lighting along the course. We will have an aid station at Ramp Camp; bring any specific nutritional needs you may have.
We will have wood fired pizzas and beverages for purchase after the run (one included in adult admission), as well as Embark products- bring along some cash if you’d like to partake!
Primitive camping is available at the farm. Tents are great, and small single-axle campers should be fine. We’ll have a portapotty and jugs of water, the rest is up to you!
Course Details
Segment 1: Start to Valley Snack Stop #1
From the start run up through the Sugar House, then down on old logging roads. Cross the bridge and continue to the bottom of the valley to Snack Stop 1.
Distance: .71 Miles Ascent: 49 Ft Descent: 299 Ft
Segment 2: Valley #1 to Turkey Point #2
This one is a bear. From the valley, climb to the ridge, skirt the field and descend into the North Valley. From the old tank, follow a deer path switchback to an old logging road and up to the Turkey Point overlook.
Distance: .97 Miles Ascent: 443 Ft Descent: 226 Ft
Segment 3: Turkey Point #2 to Sap Tanks #3
From the Turkey Point, follow the tubing to a steep logging road. Follow downhill to a fox. Leave the road via a deer path to the right. Continue across the hillside to another wider logging trail, follow that to the collection tanks.
Distance: .5 Miles Ascent: 49 Ft Descent: 322 Ft
Segment 4: Sap Tanks #3 to Hitchin’ Rock #4
From the collection tanks head up valley to a washed out logging road. Follow uphill to a fox. Leave the road via a path along the tubing to the right. Cross the ravine, and pass under the pump line. Climb the hill to the other side of the logging road. Follow this to the main logging road, then at the top of the hill, leave the main road via the "Hitchin’ Rock Loop” to the right. Continue to the most beautiful spot on the whole farm. You’ve earned it.
Distance: .76 Miles Ascent: 292 Ft Descent: 36 Ft
Segment 5: Hitchin’ Rock #4 to Ramp Camp Finish
From Hitchin’ Rock you’re almost home! Head up the spine of the hill, and turn right when you get to the main trail. Continue into Ramp Camp for a pizza or another round!
Distance: .3 Miles Ascent: 52 Ft Descent: 3Ft
Course Guide & Rules
Be Good Energy. Don’t be a dick. If we can all stick to this, the rest falls in place.
We will have both LPS and Snacking Tour folks sharing the course. Snackers- please yield to LPS racers and give them a “Woot-Woot” as they go by. LPS folks- please politely let snackers know you’re coming up and pick a safe spot to pass. The course can be precarious at times.
Start- LPS please line up in front, Snackers behind
Laps- LPS racers need to be in the starting area on the hour to continue. We’ll ring a bell at 2 minutes before, 1 minute before and on the hour to start the next lap.
Finishers- When you’re done, check in with the registration table so we can mark you “Out of the Woods” and don’t have to send out a search party. Then get yourself some tasty pizza and a beverage!
Help a buddy out- If someone on course is injured, stop and help them out. Your lap won’t be considered incomplete if you’re helping an injured racer. If you or someone else is injured on course, call Eric (608) 576-0745.
Volunteers Keep the Sap Run Running!
2026 had twice the participants as years past, and we need a few extra helping hands to keep the sap running! Thank you!
Pets who love to scramble
The Embark farm is “Friendly Pet Friendly”. Well-behaved pets on leashes are welcome in the woods and around the farm, but must be kept out of the Sugar House and kitchen tents/ areas. Critters that can’t get along with others or resist the temptations of the food processing areas will be asked to leave.
