Section 1 is the Nordic Ski Trail to Confusion Corner.  Designed as a cross country ski trail, this 8.9 mile section is one loop of the outer trail (Blue Loop – highlighted in green below).  Referring to the race map, you are running in a clockwise direction starting from AS 2 passing AS 3 (offset to your left in the pines) and proceeding to AS 1 (expect only fluids at AS 1) and returning to AS 2 for the 8.9 miles. Then, you continue in a clockwise direction to AS 3 again (1.6 miles) and cross Bluff road running up the horse trails for .5 miles until you reach Confusion Corner.  The total distance on the Nordic Trail is 10.5 miles. Only 39.5 to go. Enjoy Captain Grant Nelson and his team at AS 3.Enjoy your run on the Nordic Trail.  The trails are very wide and scenic.  This 8.9 mile loop is very representative of the glacial topography and natural diversity that you can expect in the Kettle Moraine.  As a cross country ski trail, it provides every type of terrain imaginable for skiing.The trail or tread on the Nordic is very runnable.  There will be sections in the pines and meadows that you will want to develop some speed.  Easy on the feet, joints and with towering trees all around and only 40+ miles to go; you are preparing yourself for a great race.  Many areas that were rocky have been wood chipped over to help skiers save their equipment.

During the race Confusion Corner is always marked with ground arrows and assistance is usually provided by a Sentry.