Ever since my 49-mile, six-Olive-Garden ultra, I’ve thought about other routes I could take.
I figured regional chains would create more interest as I could experience local items and new trails. I planned a Portillo’s run as it felt safe and now want to expand to my neighboring states. I thought of Wisconsin’s love of Culver’s and was shocked to hear that I was late to the game. As Clayton Ljungberg did a 5-stop “Culver’s Marathon.”
But I will take Clayton’s marathon as inspiration.
After mapping it out, I realized a route with eight Culver’s locations was not only possible but practically laid out by the Ozaukee Interurban, Oak Leaf, and Hank Aaron State Trails. The plan was born.
The Assumptions
During My Pasta Pass Ultra, I averaged an 11:20/mi pace. So we will use 12:00/mi (5 MPH) as a safe pace for this attempt.
I also don’t expect to take much time at each location. I will use the bathroom and get a single item and maybe a drink. We will say I take 20 minutes at every location I go to. I can also use the Culver’s app to have the food ready for pickup.
When?
While summer in Wisconsin can be brutally hot and humid, there is one date that is too perfect to ignore. The attempt will take place on Friday, July 18th, which is officially designated as Culver’s Day.
The Official 8-Stop Vegetarian Fueling Plan
This is the most critical part of the plan. For an endurance event this long, nutrition isn’t just about eating—it’s about strategy. As a vegetarian, the goal is to get a steady stream of easily digestible carbohydrates and sodium while managing fat and protein to avoid extended bathroom visits. Every single item on this list serves a specific purpose at a specific time.
A quick but important note: Culver’s states that their Mashed Potatoes & Gravy is made with beef-based gravy.
Stop 1: Port Washington (10:00 AM) – The Foundation
- Distance Ran: 0 miles
- Item: Harvest Veggie Burger (no mayo)
- Why: Start with a solid, protein-rich base for sustained energy. Asking for no mayo keeps the initial meal lighter and easier to digest.
- Nutrition: ~520 Cal, 65g Carbs, 20g Protein, ~1100mg Sodium
Stop 2: Grafton (11:20 AM) – The Salt Pre-Load
- Distance Ran: 7 [7] miles
- Item: Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce
- Why: The perfect early-run snack. Salty, carb-heavy, and easy to eat on the move. The massive sodium hit is crucial for preventing cramps later.
- Nutrition: 480 Cal, 65g Carbs, 14g Protein, 1310mg Sodium
Stop 3: Brown Deer (1:45 PM) – The First Real Meal
- Distance Ran: 17.6 [10.6] miles
- Item: Wisconsin Grilled Cheese
- Why: At this point, the body needs a serious calorie replenishment. This is a dense bomb of carbs, fat, and protein that will feel like a real lunch.
- Nutrition: 520 Cal, 41g Carbs, 20g Protein, 1120mg Sodium
Stop 4: Good Hope Rd (3:05 PM) – The Potato Power-Up
- Distance Ran: 22.6 [5] miles
- Item: Small Crinkle Cut Fries
- Why: Classic ultra-marathon fuel. Potatoes are an amazing source of potassium and carbs, and the salt is non-negotiable at this stage.
- Nutrition: 340 Cal, 44g Carbs, 4g Protein, 450mg Sodium
Stop 5: Glendale (4:45 PM) – The Sugar Surge
- Distance Ran: 29.1 [6.5] miles
- Item: One Scoop Vanilla Custard
- Why: Past the marathon distance, a massive psychological and physiological boost is needed. The simple sugar in the custard hits the bloodstream fast, fighting off the bonk.
- Nutrition: 320 Cal, 36g Carbs, 7g Protein, 140mg Sodium
Stop 6: Shorewood (6:05 PM) – The Flavor Change-Up
- Distance Ran: 32.3 [3.2] miles
- Item: Value-Sized Onion Rings
- Why: To combat flavor fatigue. Onion rings offer a different taste profile but serve the same purpose: delivering fried, salty, energy-dense carbs.
- Nutrition: 310 Cal, 34g Carbs, 4g Protein, 460mg Sodium
Stop 7: West Milwaukee (8:20 PM) – The Liquid Lifeline
- Distance Ran: 41.6 [9.3] miles
- Item: Small Chocolate Shake
- Why: As true fatigue sets in, liquid calories are king. This shake is easy to consume and delivers a massive 107g carb payload for the final push.
- Nutrition: 640 Cal, 107g Carbs, 13g Protein, 460mg Sodium
Stop 8: West Allis (9:40 PM) – The Victory Meal
- Distance Ran: 47.5 [5.9] miles
- Item: Regular Wisconsin Cheese Curds
- Why: The ultimate finish line reward. No more running. Just pure, unadulterated, salty, cheesy, fried Wisconsin glory. The perfect way to end an epic day.
- Nutrition: 1040 Cal, 60g Carbs, 31g Protein, 1700mg Sodium
Nutritional Grand Totals
- Total Calories: ~4,170 kcal
- Total Carbohydrates: ~452 g
- Total Fat: ~217 g
- Total Protein: ~113 g
- Total Sodium: ~6,740 mg
While I will still be in a massive calorie deficit, this is a phenomenal amount of fuel. It averages out to nearly 47 grams of carbs per hour of running, which is a solid level of fueling that should keep my energy stores from bottoming out. The massive sodium intake will be my greatest defense against muscle cramps. Let the training begin.
