Warmth turns winter trail run into mud run

The heavy mud caked in the tread of their running shoes made the uphills a challenge, but most of the dozens of competitors liked the unexpected warmth of the first of three trail runs of the Fox Valley Winter Challenge.

"Traction was awful," said Peter Mangan, 35, of Elgin. "It was slip and slide the whole way, but I'll take this rather than ice any day."

He and his brother Seth, 39, have run the race for five years.

"It's an interesting challenge," said Seth. "It's usually ice, though."

The first series race Saturday was through the trails and hills of Hickory Knolls Nature Center, 3795 Campton Hills Drive, St. Charles.

Two more races follow in the series Feb. 18 at Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora and March 18 at Fabyan East Forest Preserve in Geneva.

For more information, call (855) 969-5515 or go to raceroster.com/series/2016/10740/fox-valley-winter-challenge-trail-series.