Farmland 5K European Style XC Challenge
2015

The Farmland 5K European Style XC Challenge introduces runners of all ages to the venue of a 5K (3.1 miles) cross country style race. Farmland 5K racing's origin is found in Europe, where foot races were held from farm to farm.
This was their website for several years and was managed and optimized by US based TNG/Earthling, Inc., with Bob Sakayama in charge of search performance. Charles Dillon hired Bob and company in an attempt to drive more interest and traffic to this unique challenge. Bob's success is probably why you're reading this. Content is from the site's 2015 archived pages.

Go to the Farmland 5K Run and Free for All Bike Facebook page for all the most up-to-date info on previous and upcoming races: https://www.facebook.com/Farmland5krunbike/
OR
their current website found at: https://www.farmlandtc.com/

Farmland 5K & Free For All Bike Race – December 5th, 2015

Farmland 5K brings cold and snow back to winter running

Welcome to the Farmland!

The Farmland 5K European Style XC Challenge is Traverse City's winter weather running and biking event held in the spirit of European style cross country held on a dedicated cross country course on private farmland. A classic turfgrass running course awaits you with knee high barriers including straw bales, fallen logs, wood fence and stone fence.

Supporting the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities "Taste the Local Difference"
TLD is all about food and farming, and by participating in the Farmland 5K, you help support their mission! Farmland 5K organizers as well as title and presenting sponsors will once again donate $2 from every registered runner toward “Taste the Local Difference,” which connects consumers to locally grown food to increase sales, preserve farmland and create jobs.

“We want to see our community embrace healthy, sustainable living.” says Hans Voss, Executive Director of Groundworks for a Resilient Community. "Eating local year-round is something we really push that can make a big difference to our local economy, and staying active year-round is vital to a healthy lifestyle. Promoting TLD with the Farmland 5K is a perfect fit to illustrate how we can all take advantage of local products and the great outdoors even when there’s snow on the ground.”

The 100 year old Lew Rasho Farm proudly hosts the Farmland 5K

This dedicated cross country course was created by Lew Rasho, the owner of the farm land utilized in the Farmland 5K. The farm has been owned and farmed by the Rasho family for over 100 years. Lew has farmed this land all his life, and has donated the corridor surrounding his field for the exclusive use of runners and walkers in the Traverse City area. Since 2002 the course has been used by thousands of high school, middle school, and elementary runners. 

Also supporting Norte Youth Cycling!
By fostering an enduring relationship with bicycles and advocating for sustainable mobility, Norte! Youth Cycling is strengthening community by developing the next generation of active, engaged, and gritty leaders in Traverse City. $2 of every bike entry will be donated to Norte!
Why call it European Style?
As a competitive sport, cross-country running began in Europe (Ireland and England) with a game called "hares and hounds" or "the paper chase" in the early 19th century. In this game, a runner or group of runners (hares) laid a trail by dropping pieces of paper or other markers while following a random course over farmland, and a second set of runners (hounds) then set out in pursuit, trying to follow the "paper trail", often needing to jump fences separating the farms. The Farmland 5K course is like taking a step back in time of running history, and we've added some fun barriers to make it seem even more European!

Why December?
The weather in December is part of the challenge!
Participating in the Farmland 5K is naturally tough! Mother nature promises wind, snow, sleet or rain...so we promise a great course, hot food and great music to warm you up!

The race is dedicated to adventurous folks looking for a change of pace from their usual paved running route. Are you really tough? Rain, sleet, snow, or shine - this event is for you!

Enjoy the natural challenge of running or biking in early December! (event to be held no matter the weather). Traverse over grass or snow and ice, wooded dirt trails, and farmland running terrain. Just like in the olden days, before paved roads and concrete sidewalks. Compete as an individual or as a team and earn unique age group prizes and special awards.

Weather history: on December 3, from 1974 to 2015 is likely to have:

Temperature from 30°F to 34°F and is rarely below 19°F or above 46°F.
Sky overcast 77% of the time.
75% chance that precipitation will be observed at some point during the day.
40% chance that there will be snow on the ground. Snow depth average is 3.2"
Wind speed of 9 mph (gentle breeze) on average.
Records for this day: 61°F high/-5°F low.

Event Schedule

Friday, December 4:
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.  - Packet Pick up at Timber Ridge Resort Main Lodge, 4050 Hammond Road East, Traverse City, MI 49686

Saturday, December 5:
10:00 a.m. - Event site opens for parking and packet pick-up.  Warm fires and porta jons stand by to keep you warm and ready. 
10:30 a.m.  - Late registration and packet pick-up opens on-site.
12:00 noon - 5K foot race, mass shot gun start.
12:30 - Post Race Party Starts!  And go ahead, set up your own tailgate party!
1:00 p.m. - "Free for All" bike race, mass shot gun start.
1:15 p.m. - Awards at the Hay Wagon, Top 3 in age category, special awards to overall, masters and super masters, teams and costumes.

A Bike Race called the "Free for All!"

he Farmland "Free For All" bike event, immediately following the run, has cyclists taking to the running course for 6 laps of fun competition (approximately 12.6 miles total), on any bike you choose. Fat bikes, cyclocross bikes, mountain bikes, maybe even a unicycle; you’ll see it all on December 5. Awards to the top Fat Bike, Cross Bike, Mountain Bike, Single Speed Bike, and deep awards for all bikes for the 12 and under category.

For the ambitious, we’ll have a combined winner as well. Test your running legs in the 5k, then hop on your steed of choice and give the "Free For All" everything you’ve got left. The combined winners will get awards for their superhuman efforts, measured by their 5k time added to their bike time. There will also be pitchfork trophies for the winners too, so there’s a lot to fight for.

Other Farmland 5K highlights include:

Off-road running or biking on a challenging dedicated cross country course.
Awesome finisher gift featuring a technical winter training hat. (guaranteed to first 500 runners and bikers who register)
Team Competition: Scored cross country "team" style, first 5 age group finish places by time.
Combined bike (Farmland "Free For All") and run time category.
Team and Family pricing (see "Fees and Awards")
Costume Prizes for: Most Scantily Clad, Farmer, Barnyard Animal, Scarecrow, Most European, 1800's "Harrier"

Free and convenient parking

Post Race Party

Great music, awards and food including: Hot cocoa and coffee, whole grain breads, chili and corn chowder.

Team Competition makes this event special - Form a Team Now!*
Team competition is very important in cross-country running. Teams are made up of a minimum of 5 runners and the order of finish in age group is determined by adding up the places in which team members finish - that is, 1 point is awarded for a first-place age group finish, 2 points for second in age group, and so on. The team with the lowest score wins.

*Register for your team (All you need is their birthdate!) and save up $12 per person!

Farmland 5K Course Records
Course Record Male: Alex Vanias - 16:28 (set in 2014)
Course Record Female: Madison Troy - 19:40.1 (set in 2014)

Fees and Awards

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Bike and Run

Why not push it to the limit and do the Farmland 5k "Free for All" Run/Bike Combo?
Participants have the option to run the Farmland 5K and then bike the "Free for All", a cyclocross style 6 loop, approximately 12.6 mile course using the outside loop of the 5K course on the bike of your choice - fat bike, cyclocross bike, mountain bike, or single speed... choose your steed (choose wisely, there is no mid-race switching allowed)!  Register for a bike/run combo as one event for a total savings of $15 per individual!

Bike/Run Details
This is not a duathlon – there will be two mass starts, one for the bike and one for the run.  You will be timed as though you are competing in two separate events and then top awards ARE given if you register for the bike ride combination entry, plus it's a great savings!  
 

• Bike helmets are mandatory.
• There may be snow and ice on the course - choose your safest bike accordingly.
• There will be barriers including straw bales, earth berms and troughs, logs, and tractor tires - all below knee height.  All riders must get over these barriers with their bikes with a dismount and remount.
• Bike racers completing the run MUST  be at the bike mass start line on time for a gunshot mass start or you will not be allowed to compete. It is up to the participant to make sure you can complete the run course with enough time to get to the starting line for the bike.
• No bike trailers, child seats, etc. are permitted.
• Riders must pass lapped riders on the left as safe to do so. 
• Riders are responsible for insuring that a bicycle is in good repair.

Custom, farm-themed awards will go to the top 3 men and top 3 women of any age with the fastest combined run and ride times (6 awards total).

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Post Race Party and Awards 

Running a 5K on a cold and windy December day deserves some celebration.  We recommend you finish the run, congratulate your friends and family, change into dry and warm clothes and boots, then join the Post-Race Party for some hot food and hot chocolate/coffee.  We will have hot bowls and lids waiting for you so there will not be a long line!

And, in reality, the draw of active events like the Farmland 5K is the opportunity for social interaction with like-minded folks. So don't just run and dash! Stick around for the party and hang out with cool, "up and doing" people.

New: The "Free for All" bike course loops back through the village, for a great view of the bike competition!

Dress the Part!
Runners can win prizes for wearing anything farm-related with categories including "Farmer," "Barnyard Animal," "Scarecrow," "Viking," and "European," with additional recognition going to those dressing like late-1800s “Harriers” (cross-country runners) and other fun categories determined on race day!

And of course, we'll have a category for the daring, "Most Scantily Clad" (please keep it PG rated!)

Hot Food/Energizing Snacks
Every runner knows that post-race refueling is an important part of the recovery process from a hard workout. Re-fill your energy and recovery tank with a hearty bowl of chili or corn chowder and some whole grain bread. This great hot food is presented byBlue Tractor and Stone House Bread! 

Enjoy an Adult Libation
Finishers 21 years and older (Please have your ID ready to show) may enjoy two complimentary Short's beers, poured on-site at the "Straw Bale Bar." 3 types of Short's beers offered.

Gourmet Hot Chocolate and Fair Trade Coffee 
Nothing beats a great cup of fancy hot chocolate or steaming fair trade coffee.  Just Good Chocolate will be serving their secret recipe so good, you could be tempted to skip the run and just stand by the fire and sip away. (But it'll be all the sweeter after your run!)  And for a real cup of coffee, we're serving up Higher Grounds Trading Co. locally roasted of course!

Nearby Accommodations at Timber Ridge
Make the event an excuse for a team or family getaway, and stay at the nearby Timber Ridge Resort, featuring park homes and bunkhouse cabins that sleep from 6-10 people.  Check out special rates for Farmland 5K participants, including a free happy hour and barbeque Saturday after the event from 5-6p.m. 

More Background On XCChallengeTCRuns.com

XCChallengeTCRuns.com once served as the digital home for one of northern Michigan’s most distinctive winter endurance events: the Farmland 5K European Style Cross Country Challenge. Rooted in old-world running traditions and hosted on privately owned farmland just outside Traverse City, the site documented a race that blended history, agriculture, athletic grit, and community values into a single annual gathering.

Though the domain itself is no longer active in its original form, XCChallengeTCRuns.com remains an important artifact of mid-2010s grassroots race culture—capturing a moment when locally organized endurance events relied on purpose-built websites, regional sponsorships, and deeply embedded community partnerships to thrive.

This article explores the site, the race it represented, and the broader cultural ecosystem that gave it meaning.

Origins of the Farmland 5K and the European Cross Country Concept

The Farmland 5K drew inspiration directly from the European origins of cross-country running, particularly early 19th-century foot races held across open farmland in Ireland and England. These races, often referred to as “hares and hounds” or “paper chases,” were informal yet physically demanding events in which runners navigated fences, uneven ground, and natural obstacles while following a loosely marked course.

XCChallengeTCRuns.com embraced this heritage openly. Rather than presenting the race as a standard 5K, the site emphasized its historical authenticity, positioning the event as a return to pre-pavement running—before roads, sidewalks, and manicured racecourses became the norm.

The course featured knee-high barriers, straw bales, fallen logs, fence crossings, and uneven turf, reinforcing the idea that this was not simply a run, but an experience rooted in the origins of the sport.

Ownership, Management, and Digital Stewardship

The website XCChallengeTCRuns.com was managed for several years by TNG/Earthling, Inc., a U.S.-based digital optimization and content management firm. Oversight of search performance and site visibility was handled by Bob Sakayama, who was brought in by race organizer Charles Dillon to increase awareness and participation.

At the time, race websites were critical infrastructure. Social platforms had not yet replaced standalone sites for registration, logistics, storytelling, and archival reference. XCChallengeTCRuns.com fulfilled all of these roles, acting as:

• A race guide and rulebook

• A community bulletin board

• A fundraising explanation portal

• A cultural narrative hub

Its success in driving interest helped the Farmland 5K establish itself as a must-do winter event in the Traverse City area.

Location, Venue, and Agricultural Significance

The Farmland 5K took place on the Lew Rasho Farm, a privately owned property that had been farmed by the Rasho family for over a century. The farm sits just outside Traverse City, Michigan, and includes a dedicated cross-country running corridor that has been used since 2002 by thousands of students and athletes.

Unlike temporary racecourses that rely on city permits or public parks, this venue was permanent, purpose-built, and generously donated for community use. XCChallengeTCRuns.com highlighted this fact prominently, reinforcing the event’s authenticity and its deep ties to local land stewardship.

Participants were instructed to navigate to a rural address on Rasho Road, underscoring that this was a true farmland experience—far removed from urban race staging areas.

The Winter Challenge: Weather as a Feature, Not a Bug

One of the defining characteristics of the Farmland 5K was its December timing. Held in early winter, the race intentionally embraced cold temperatures, snow, wind, and unpredictable conditions.

XCChallengeTCRuns.com went so far as to publish historical weather data, detailing average temperatures, snowfall probabilities, wind speeds, and extreme records. This transparency served two purposes:

1. Setting expectations — runners knew this would be physically demanding

2. Building identity — the race attracted athletes who sought adversity

The messaging was clear: this event was not for fair-weather runners. It was designed for people who valued resilience, preparation, and the satisfaction of finishing something genuinely hard.

Event Structure and Scheduling

The site provided a meticulous breakdown of the race weekend, which typically unfolded over two days:

• Friday evening packet pickup at a local resort

• Saturday race day, featuring:

  • A mass-start 5K run

  • A post-race party

  • A “Free for All” bike race held on the same course

The attention to detail on the website reflected the organizers’ professionalism and respect for participants’ planning needs, especially those traveling from outside the immediate area.

The “Free for All” Bike Race

One of the most unique aspects documented on XCChallengeTCRuns.com was the Free for All bike race, a cyclocross-style event run immediately after the foot race.

Cyclists completed multiple laps of the running course on virtually any type of bike, including:

• Fat bikes

• Cyclocross bikes

• Mountain bikes

• Single-speed bikes

This inclusivity reinforced the event’s playful yet competitive spirit. The site emphasized safety rules, barrier requirements, helmet mandates, and etiquette for passing lapped riders, making it clear that while the event was fun, it was also well organized.

Combined Run-and-Ride Competition

For the most ambitious participants, XCChallengeTCRuns.com promoted a combined run-and-ride category, in which an athlete’s 5K running time was added to their bike race time.

This format rewarded versatility rather than specialization, echoing the European sporting ideal of all-around athleticism. Winners received custom farm-themed awards, including pitchfork trophies that became symbolic of the event’s character.

Team Competition and Community Emphasis

Team scoring played a central role in the Farmland 5K, mirroring traditional cross-country formats where collective performance outweighs individual dominance.

Teams consisted of at least five runners, with scores determined by age-group placement rather than raw time alone. This structure encouraged:

• Family participation

• Club involvement

• Intergenerational competition

XCChallengeTCRuns.com devoted significant space to explaining team rules, pricing incentives, and scoring examples, reinforcing the idea that the event was about shared effort and camaraderie.

Costumes, Humor, and Cultural Identity

Despite its physical rigor, the Farmland 5K was never overly serious. The website proudly listed costume categories ranging from “Farmer” and “Barnyard Animal” to “Most European” and late-1800s “Harriers.”

This playful tone helped distinguish the event from purely competitive races, making it accessible to newcomers and memorable for spectators.

The result was a race culture that balanced toughness with joy—something XCChallengeTCRuns.com captured effectively through descriptive language and category listings.

Food, Music, and Post-Race Celebration

Post-race festivities were a major component of the experience. The site detailed offerings such as:

• Hot chili and corn chowder

• Whole-grain bread

• Gourmet hot chocolate

• Locally roasted fair-trade coffee

• Complimentary craft beer for adult finishers

Music, fires, tailgating, and awards ceremonies transformed the finish area into a winter festival rather than a simple race endpoint.

Charitable Partnerships and Social Impact

XCChallengeTCRuns.com placed strong emphasis on the race’s charitable contributions. A portion of every registration fee supported:

• Taste the Local Difference, promoting local food systems and farmland preservation

• Norte Youth Cycling, supporting youth development through biking

By tying athletic participation to tangible community benefits, the site reinforced the event’s ethical foundation and its alignment with Traverse City’s broader sustainability values.

Audience and Popularity

The Farmland 5K attracted a diverse audience:

• Competitive runners

• Recreational athletes

• Families

• Cyclists

• Local high-school and college athletes

Its popularity stemmed not from prize money or elite fields, but from authenticity, atmosphere, and community resonance. XCChallengeTCRuns.com successfully communicated that value proposition, helping the race maintain strong participation during its active years.

Transition to New Platforms and Legacy

Over time, updates and future race information migrated to social platforms and a newer official website. As a result, XCChallengeTCRuns.com became an archival snapshot rather than a live operational site.

Even so, its preserved content offers valuable insight into:

• Mid-2010s grassroots race organization

• Local SEO-driven event promotion

• Community-first endurance culture

For historians of running, cycling, or regional sports culture, the site remains a meaningful reference point.

Cultural and Historical Significance

XCChallengeTCRuns.com represents more than a single race. It reflects a moment when endurance events were deeply local, websites were handcrafted and narrative-driven, and athletic challenges were inseparable from land, weather, and community.

In an era increasingly dominated by large corporate races and standardized formats, the Farmland 5K stands out as a reminder of what sport can be when it is rooted in place and purpose.

XCChallengeTCRuns.com documented a race that celebrated adversity, tradition, and togetherness. Through careful digital stewardship, rich descriptive content, and a clear articulation of values, the site helped the Farmland 5K become a winter institution in Traverse City.

Though the domain now serves as a historical artifact, its legacy lives on in the runners who crossed frozen fields, the families who cheered from straw bales, and the farmland that hosted it all.