12.5K Bus Liaison
Description / Narrative / Protocol:
Bus liaison(s) will be there to greet the buses that take 12.5K runners to their race start when they arrive (about 7:45AM), hold them back from the start of the 25K race until it has started, guide them into the Lutsen surface lot / “bus stop”, answer any driver questions and answer any runner questions. Wear a fluorescent safety vest (located in race trailer).
See THIS diagram https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/wp-content/uploads/Superior-Spring-Trail-Race-Bus-Staging-and-Pickup-Diagram-Map-Revised-5-7-23.jpg
See the Caribou Highlands diagram HERE https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/wp-content/uploads/superior-spring-trail-race-finish-area-diagram-rev-4-30-22.jpg
Narrative: Buses for the 12.5K should stage on Ski Hill Road well back from the Lutsen gravel surface-lot turn-in / not pull into the parking lot until the 25K race has started and the road has cleared. The lot is across Ski Hill Road from Caribou Highlands – 371 Ski Hill Road, Lutsen MN 55612. We start the 25K race from Caribou Highlands at 8:00AM and want all of those runners clear before we pull the buses in to pickup the 12.5K runners. 12.5K runners have been told that the busses depart at 8:15AM We hope to have the busses staged on Ski Hil Road by 8:00AM, moved in front of the Caribou Highlands Lodge by 8:10AM, loaded by 8:20AM and departing by 8:25AM. It is an approximate 10 minute drive to the 12.5K race start at Cathedral of the Pines Camp – 760 Caribou Trail, Lutsen, MN 55612. The hope is to have runners unloaded by 8:40AM for the 9:00AM race start.
A few questions runners may ask:
What time does the 12K start? 9AM
Is there water at the start? No
Are there toilets at the start? Yes
Can I send “warmups” back to the finish? Yes
Is there an aid station on the 12.5K course? No
Is there anywhere to bail out on the 12.5K course? No
12.5K Race Start
Day: Friday Start: 8:15 AM Finish: 9:45 AM
Report To: Race Director at Caribou Highlands
Description: Travel with small team to the start of the 12.5K race start on Caribou Trail. This includes the RD, one person from the timing team, the 12.5K course sweepers and an additional helper or two.
Responsibilities: Help facilitate the start of the 12.5K race which starts at 9:00AM per THIS plan https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/wp-content/uploads/12KM-Race-Start-Layout-Logistics-Plan-Revised-5-7-23.jpg
Aid Station - Sawbill
Important: Note that the aid station open and close times listed below are projections based on current course record times – you should plan to arrive well before the listed open time to allow ample time to setup your aid station and be ready for the first runner.
Day: Saturday
Open: 8:00 AM Saturday (First expected runner approximately 8:30 AM – Arrive early for time to setup)
Close: 1:00 PM Saturday (last runner expected around 12:00 Noon – add time for cleanup and teardown)
Cutoff: 12:00 Noon Saturday
Report To: Sawbill / Britton Peak Aid Station / Aid Station Captain – Dale Immerfall
Description: The Sawbill / Britton Peak aid station is located 5.7 miles from the Oberg Mountain aid station. 50 KM runners reach the Britton Peak aid station at mile 13.3 on their outbound leg, and again at mile 17.7 on their return leg. The 50 KM turnaround is 2.2 miles from the Britton Peak aid station, at Carlton Peak. There is no aid station at the turnaround, and crew access at the tunraround on Carlton Peak is prohibited. First expected 50K runner in to this aid station around 8:30 AM. The Sawbill / Britton Peak Aid Station Cutoff is 12:00 noon (17:00 minute miles or 3.5 MPH average)
Driving Directions:
Turn off of Hwy. 61 at milepost 82.8 (Cook Co. Rd. 2, Sawbill Trail Rd.) Go 2.7 miles north on Sawbill Trail. This road is curvy and has a lot of blind spots. There is not much parking available, so please be courteous to others.
Responsibilities:
Work the aid station see Aid Stations 101!
Parking / Traffic Control:
The United States Forest Service asks that the Sawbill Trailhead parking lot be used for non-race-related parking only.
The Oberg aid station captain understands how parking and traffic control is supposed to happen. Specific parking and traffic control leaders will also be assigned. These “leads” will work with the aid station captain to rotate aid station volunteers in and out of the parking and traffic control position throughout the day so nobody has to do it all day (unless there is someone who prefers to work this position).
Volunteers helping with parking and traffic control should politely communicate with those entering the parking area to determine if they are “with the race” (i.e. spectators, volunteers, crew etc.) if so, those folks should park on the road – all other trail users should be allowed into the lot to park. THIS guide illustrates exactly how / where parking is permitted https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/wp-content/uploads/Superior-Spring-Trail-Race-Spectator-Guide-v1.pdf
For those volunteers working the road crossing, generally the best practice is to stop runners, not cars.
Ham Radio volunteers and aid station captains may have their vehicles in the parking lot if desired, additionally, race supply / resupply should be allowed into the lot along with folks from our medical staff and the Race Director.
Questions about any of this? Please ask! This is a very critical task and it is critical that we interface well with the public / those not associated with our race! Thank you!
Related Information:
Maps and Directions
Aid station Supplies Provided
Aid Stations 101
Aid Station - Oberg
Important: Note that the aid station open and close times listed below are projections based on current course record times – you should plan to arrive well before the earliest projected arrival time of the first runner to allow ample time to setup your aid station and be ready for the first runner.
Day: Saturday
Open: 7:15 AM Saturday (First expected runner approximately 7:50 AM – Arrive early for time to setup)
Close: 2:00 PM Saturday (last runner expected around 1:30PM – add time for cleanup and teardown)
Cutoff: 1:30PM Saturday
Report To: Oberg Mountain Aid Station / Aid Station Captain – Sam Olson
Description:
The Oberg Mountain aid station is located at mile 7.6 of the 25 KM, where it also serves as the turnaround point for that race. 50 KM runners likewise reach the Oberg Mountain aid station at mile 7.6, and revisit it at mile 23.4 on their return trip. First expected 50K runner in to this aid station around 7:50 AM. The Oberg Aid Station Cutoff is 1:30 PM (17:00 minute miles or 3.5 MPG average for 50K runners)
Driving Directions:
Turn off of Hwy. 61 at mile post 87.5 (Forest Rd. 336 or Onion River Rd.) Go north approximately 2.2 miles to parking area on left side of road.
Responsibilities:
Work the aid station see Aid Stations 101!
Parking and Traffic Control:
The United States Forest Service asks that the Oberg Trailhead parking lot be used for non-race-related parking only.
The Oberg aid station captain understands how parking and traffic control is supposed to happen. Specific parking and traffic control leaders will also be assigned. These “leads” will work with the aid station captain to rotate aid station volunteers in and out of the parking and traffic control position throughout the day so nobody has to do it all day (unless there is someone who prefers to work this position).
Volunteers helping with parking and traffic control should politely communicate with those entering the parking area to determine if they are “with the race” (i.e. spectators, volunteers, crew etc.) if so, those folks should park on the road – all other trail users should be allowed into the lot to park. THIS guide illustrates exactly how / where parking is permitted https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/wp-content/uploads/Superior-Spring-Trail-Race-Spectator-Guide-v1.pdf
Ham Radio volunteers and aid station captains may have their vehicles in the parking lot if desired, additionally, race supply / resupply should be allowed into the lot along with folks from our medical staff and the Race Director.
Questions about any of this? Please ask! This is a very critical task and it is critical that we interface well with the public / those not associated with our race! Thank you!
Related Information:
Maps and Directions
Aid station Supplies Provided
Aid Stations 101
Course Monitor 12.5K
Description / Narrative / Protocol:
The Superior Spring Trail Race 12.5K is a point to point race from Cathedral of the Pines Camp on Cook County Road 4 / Caribou Trail and Caribou Highland Lodge on Lutsen Mountain, see the race map HERE https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/wp-content/uploads/Superior-Spring-Trail-Race-Course-Map-1-5-22.jpg – It is a shorter distance race that compliments the 25K and 50K races (held on different sections of trail on the same day), that sometimes gets newer / less experienced trail runners. We do however caution runners that this is not a ‘beginner course’.
Due to the remoteness of the course, there is no aid station for this race distance. In the absence of an aid station, we have a ‘monitor point’ established at the Superior Hiking Trail and Lutsen Access Snowmobile Trail intersection HERE https://goo.gl/maps/bfJD8AeQe8ojN6zj8?coh=178572&entry=tt (between the East and West SHT Poplar River Camps), a detailed map / diagram can be found HERE https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/wp-content/uploads/SHT-Lutsen-Access-Intersection-Revised-May-7-2023.jpg This location is 5 miles into the 12.5K race course and 2.75 miles from the race finish at Lutsen. Ideally we will have at least 4 volunteers at this location including a HAM radio volunteer, medical volunteer and a volunteer with an ATV. Generally we need fit individuals, with good trail knowledge, that can get to a runner in distress, quickly on foot.
We expect the first runner at this location by 9:35AM (9AM race start, 5 miles in, 7 minutes per mile) on Saturday, so monitors should be in position by 9:15AM at the latest. Two volunteer groups will go out and meet at the location. One group will go out on foot from Lutsen, they should meet by 7:45AM on the race finish line at Caribou Highlands and should be heading out by 8:00AM (you may coordinate another meet location among yourselves – you may also drive to and park at the trailhead HERE https://goo.gl/maps/ZeXwUtPGdSK1Jy4q7?coh=178572&entry=tt to cut off a little distance if you like, if there is room). Another group will go out on ATV via the Lutsen Access Snowmobile Trail, accessed from Cook County Road 4 / Caribou Trail. This group can go directly there and should probably be unloading their machine at the access point for the Lutsen Access trail by 8:30AM at the latest.
Monitors should cheer on runners (haul out a giant bag of candy if you want, I’ll reimburse), field any reports of runners in distress, locate runner in distress and if it is an emergency, communicate with NET Control. It is important to note that this is NOT a bailout point for runners who are just not having fun, since getting someone out via the Lutsen Access Snowmobile Trail would be no small feat. A runner should only be extracted if they physically cannot get themselves to the finish on the Superior Hiking Trail. In the event of an emergency, Lutsen EMS / search and rescue will be paged since they have the most local / on the ground knowledge of this area.
Carlton Peak Course Marshals
Description / Narrative / Protocol:
The summit of Carlton Peak is the half-way point in the 50KM race. The first 50K runners will likely get up there no faster than 1:45 elapsed, the 50K starts at 7:00AM so if you were up there by 8:30ish you would be good – bottom line, before the first runners show up! The goals are as follows…
a.) Make sure people take the Carlton Peak Summit Spur (not continue on the trail to Temperance!) i.e. point people up to the peak and then back down to Sawbill. This IS marked but we have had people blow by the markings in the past since it is a hairpin turn.
b.) Make sure folks are finding their way to the Summit – then hype them up, etc. / be there to greet them. Feel free to add your own simple touches (see the photos linked below), we are happy to reimburse for any little touches you want to provide (remember though, this is not a full blown aid station by any means!)
c.) Be there to make a cell phone call to HAM Radio Net Control in the event of an emergency (we will provide a cell phone number the week of the race)
d.) Once the sweeps arrive, give it a few minutes, then you can take off!
Getting There:
Volunteers may hike up to Carlton Peak from the Sawbill / Britton Peak Trail HERE https://goo.gl/maps/VYbZPSyAj8eyVgrP9?coh=178572&entry=tt – it is an approximate 1.8 mile hike, OR if you have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle, you may drive to the old 3M mine site below Carlton Peak / Ted Tofte Overlook HERE https://goo.gl/maps/AVo1u7JYag4NnaxaA?coh=178572&entry=tt and hike approximately 1/3rd mile up to Carlton Peak.
Race course map for reference HERE https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/wp-content/uploads/Superior-Spring-Trail-Race-Course-Map-1-5-22.jpg
Have Fun With It!
Feel free to bring a bag of candy, or other fun accoutrements. See some past photos below…
Course Marking
Day: The Friday before the race Start: 7:15 AM Finish: Approx. 5:00 PM
Report To:
Race Director and Course Marking Leads (Paul Hasse 25K / 50K and Todd Rowe 12.5K) at Caribou Highlands Volunteer Townhome Unit 504 @ 7:15AM on Friday for a 7:45AM(ish) departure. We will have some social time and a briefing before we depart for marking.
Description / Responsibilities:
Mark the race course according to our marking protocol. Volunteers need to be very fit, able to carry some weight and travel a long distance on foot. Carry a daypack and be prepared for all weather conditions. Pack food and water and plan to be out all day. Work gloves are recommended when handing the marking flags due to the possibility of fiberglass splinters. Leads will have a ‘hammer and a spike’ or hammer drill for hard to install markers. You will be hiking, not running. Having a loppers and small handsaw on the crew is a good idea to clear any last minute branches or brush that could poke someone in the eye, etc. If you see anything on the trail that you are concerned about, please take a photo and not the location (geotagged photo or GPS point is great). Return unused marking paraphernalia to Caribou Highlands Townhome Unit 504.
Marking Methodology:
https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/wp-content/uploads/Trail-Marking-Protocol-Methodology-Revised-8-30-22.jpg
Marking Flags:
25K / 50K approx 400 flags + arrows.
12.5K approx 200 flags + arrows.
Course Map:
https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/maps-and-data/
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This volunteer position is for those that are looking to make a long term volunteer commitment, i.e. marking (and sweeping) trails for several years. While it is one of the most fun jobs there is, it is also one with the steepest learning curve and its execution is critical to the success of the event. Please email us if you have interest in learning our trail marking system and would like to become a trail marker for us!
Course Sweeping
Day: Saturday Start: Saturday TBD Finish: 25K / 50K Saturday 4:00 PM | 12.5K Saturday 1:30PM
Report To: Caribou Highlands – Paul H 25K/50K and Todd R. 12.5K
Description: Course Sweeping
Responsibilities: Sweeping team follows the last runner picking up flags, looking for runners in distress, picking up garbage and enforce cutoffs. Course sweepers should be very fit and able to cover 25KM without issue. Sweepers will be hiking, not running. Plan to be out all day and dress accordingly. Bring plenty of food and water. Carrying a first aid kit is advised. Some sweepers are HAM Radio licensed and will be in touch with our HAM Radio communications team.
Cutoffs:
50K runners have 9 hours to complete the race and 25K runners have 8 hours to complete the race (by 4:00PM). Any runners not out of the the aid stations below by the times listed will be pulled from the course. All cutoffs will be strictly enforced – we do however reserve the right to pull (or allow to continue) any racer as we see fit.
The Sawbill aid station will close at 12:00.
The Oberg aid station will close at 1:30.
There are no intermediate cutoffs in the 12.5K
Related Information:
https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/maps-and-data/
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This volunteer position is for those that are looking to make a long term volunteer commitment, i.e. sweeping (and marking) trails for several years and while it is one of the funnest jobs it is also one with the steepest learning curve and its execution is imperative to the success of the event. Please email us if you have interest in learning our trail marking system and would like to become a trail marker / sweeper for us!
Logistics (Equipment / Supply)
Day: Saturday Start: Saturday 5:30 AM Finish: Saturday 5:30 PM
Report To:
Caribou Highlands – Race Director
Description:
Aid statiion supplies distribution.
Responsibilities:
Distribute supplies to each aid station and pick up supplies when aid stations close. Bring additional supplies out to aid staions and refill water as needed. Bring lunch from the finish line out to the aid station workers at some point during the race.
Related Information:
https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/maps-and-data/
Finish Area
Day: Saturday Start: 9:00 AM Finish: 5:00 PM
Report To: Cheri Storkamp or other designated lead at race finish line at Caribou Highlands
Description: Work finish area (as opposed to the finish line itself)
Responsibilities: Assist runners, answer questions, liaison between runners and medical volunteers, keep food and drink replenished, assist with merchandise sales, interface and assist finish line and timing volunteers as needed, clean-up and tear-down.
Related Information: NA
Finish Line
Day: Saturday Start: 9:00 AM Finish: 5:00 PM
Report To: Race Director or designated lead at finish line at Caribou Highlands
Description / Responsibilities: Work finish line; hand out medals, assist runners, answer questions, interface with and assist timing volunteers as needed, liaison between runners and medical volunteers, help with cleanup and load-out at end of day.
Related Information: NA
Final Cleanup - Saturday Night
Report To:
Race Director @ Finish Line / Caribou Highlands Patio / Pool Area
Description:
Final Clean-Up, Tear Down and Haul-Out
Responsibilities:
Help us hit it home! Everyone is tired at the end of a long race day but we need to make one final push until every last piece of equipment is in the trailer and the area is cleaned up – if you can stay and help – that is just huge!
Related Information: NA
Floater
Report To: Race Director
Description: Shadow / Assist Race Director
Responsibilities: Stay with race director to act as right-hand
Related Information: NA
Friday Packet Pickup
Day: Friday
Start: 3:45 PM
Finish: 8:15 PM
Packet pickup lasts from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Report To:
Cheri Storkamp or other assigned ‘lead’ at party tent adjacent to race finish line at Caribou Highlands.
Description / Responsibilities:
Arrive early to help setup packet pickup. Help with packet pickup for the 12.5KM, 25KM and 50KM races – getting runners their numbers, shirts, etc., answering questions etc. Help with tearing down and picking up packet pickup.
Related Information:
https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/wp-content/uploads/superior-spring-trail-race-finish-area-diagram-rev-4-30-22.jpg
Friday Setup
Day: Friday Start: Approx 10:00 AM Finish: Approx 1:00 PM
Report To: Race Director or Cheri Storkamp at Race Finish at Caribou Highlands
Description: Help get setup!
Responsibilities: Help setup packet pickup and the race finish.
Related Information:
https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/wp-content/uploads/superior-spring-trail-race-finish-area-diagram-rev-4-30-22.jpg
HAM Radio - Communications
Day: Saturday Start: Saturday 6:00 AM Finish: Saturday 4:00 PM
Report To: Ham Radio Coordinators Rick and Jayne Johnson
Description: Provide communications for race – a team will be stationed at each aid station. Assignments / times will be provided and emailed to HAM Radio team by HAM Radio Coordinator. https://bwarc.wordpress.com/
Responsibilities: Communications
Related Information: NA
Medical Support - Finish Line
Day: Saturday Start: 6:00 AM Finish: 5:00 PM
Report To: Caribou Highlands / Race Director
Description: Medial personnel to staff finish line and be on-call for medial incidents at finish line or ready to be dispatched elsewhere on the course if required.
Responsibilities: Provide medical support, advice and triage for the Superior Spring Trail Race. Assist in making determinations weather additional medical personnel or emergency services need to be called in.
Related Information:
For Emergencies Dial 911
Cook County North Shore Hospital and Care Center
515 5th Ave West
Grand Marais MN 55604
218-387-3040
Cook County Sheriffs Office
Cook County Law Enforcement Center
143 Gunflint Trl
Grand Marais, MN 55604
(218)387-3030
Medical Support - Roving
Day: Saturday Start: Saturday 6:00 AM Finish: Saturday 4:00 PM
Report To: Caribou Highlands / Race Director
Description: Medial personell to staff finish line and be on-call for medial incidents at finish line or ready to be dispatched elsewhere on the course if required.
Responsibilities: Provide medical support, advice and triage for the Superior Spring Trail Race. Assist in making determinations weather additional medical personnel or emergency services need to be called in.
Related Information:
For Emergencies Dial 911
Cook County North Shore Hospital and Care Center
515 5th Ave West
Grand Marais MN 55604
218-387-3040
Cook County Sheriffs Office
Cook County Law Enforcement Center
143 Gunflint Trl
Grand Marais, MN 55604
(218)387-3030
Photography
Capturing the race in pictures is such an important and appreciated part of the event. We love working with hobbyist, aspiring and professional photographers. Most folks that shoot with us have a DSLR, mirrorless or other decent camera of some kind. In order to fully cover the race, we aim to have photographers on all three race courses and at the finish line.
If you have hosting for your other photography work already (Google Photos, Flickr, SmugMug, etc.) that works great – after the race you can upload your photos and provide a link for us to post on the race website. If you do not have anywhere to host photos, get them to us after the event and we will host them on our own Google Photos account (giving you credit for the photography of course).
Please know that we respect, value and appreciate your work! We ask the following of all of our participants: “If you are sharing or posting photos for personal use, it is always good form to credit the photographer. If you’d like to use an image for a commercial purpose (e.g. publish in a magazine, use to promote a product etc.), please contact photographers for permission and terms of use.”
Examples of past years work can be found HERE https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/photos/
Post Race Cleanup - Monday After (Twin Cities Area)
Monday is the day all the equipment comes back out of the trailer and gets cleaned, dried and put away, it is no small feat! If you would like to help you are more than welcome, please email for more details / directions on where to go. Takes place in the Twin Cities – 25 minutes south of St. Paul, MN.
Saturday Packet Pickup / Check-In
Day: Friday Start: 6:00 AM Finish: 9:30 AM
Report To: Cheri Storkamp or other assigned ‘lead’ at Caribou Highlands
Description: Help Check in runners and facilitate the start of the race.
Responsibilities: Unload equipment, make coffee, check in runners, clean-up, pack-up. Morning Packet pickup starts at 5:30 AM. 50KM starts at 7:00AM, 25KM starts at 8:00AM and 12.5K starts at 9:00AM
Related Information: NA