Think You're Tough? Apple Valley Runner Nabs Honors at 50K Run

An Apple Valley runner was among the 72 who finished the Trail Mix 50K on April 13, 2013 at Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington.

Jerry Heaps, 57, finished in 5:53:00, placing 40th overall and first in his age group.

Finishers in the 50K race ranged in age from 22 to 69 years old. First across the finish line among male racers was Jason Tischer, 38, of Blaine, with a time of 3:59:44. For women it was Sonya Decker, 46, of Minneapolis, with a time of 4:46:12.

The Trail Mix is three races in one:

Three different cross-country trail races are offered: 50K Ultra (solo), 25K (solo), and 50K Team (4-person teams/12.5K each runner). The beautiful course is run over hill and dale on wood chip and grass trails. Each clearly marked loop is 12.5 kilometers (7.75 miles) in length with three water stops per loop. ... Trail Mix race proceeds are donated to the Three Rivers Park District Adaptive Equipment Fund.

Fifty kilometers is about 31 miles—longer than a marathon at 26.2 miles.