Thomas Zimmer Championship Course Campaign

Completed: 2009

9002 County Road PD
Madison, WI 53593

In the fall of 2009, the University of Wisconsin officially cut the ribbon on the brand new Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course. This world-class course offers challenging and exciting terrain for runners and elevated viewing for spectators.

Located adjacent to University Ridge Golf Course, UW's cross country course is built to accommodate race distances of 4k, 5k, 8k and 10k and features a wide starting area designed to host major championship events.

Named after Thomas Zimmer, a longtime Badgers supporter and former collegiate runner at UW-River Falls. Zimmer's generous leadership gift toward the construction of the course helped make the course possible. Chuck LaBahn, a former UW swimmer and retired CEO of Orion Corporation in Grafton, WI, also made a significant gift toward the project. "We're very grateful for and appreciative of Tom and Chuck's support," associate athletic director Marija Pientka said at the course dedication. "This course would not have been possible without their vision and generosity. It will have a huge impact on our cross country programs and, we hope, the entire running community across the state."