Welcome to the 21st Annual / 2023 Superior Spring Trail Race. 100+ volunteers are coming together to put on this year’s race. We are thrilled to have 980 registered runners from 2 countries, 24 states and 200 Minnesota cities. We will be racing on the Superior Hiking Trail / the traditional race course this year.

NOW is also the time to review all of the information on the website again, so you are as prepared as possible come race day. I cannot stress enough how important it is to review the information associated with the distance you are running (links below) along with taking the time to review other important sections of the website.

50KM Info: https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/50km-info/

25KM Info: https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/25km-info/

12.5KM Info: https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/12-5km-info/

 

Below are some important reminders and a few updates:

 

If You Can No Longer Run:
If for any reason you will not be running the race, there is no need to contact us to let us know – we will know you are not starting when you do not pick up your race number.

 

Bib Number Assignments:
Bib number assignments have been made and are available on our website HERE https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/2023-bib-assignments/ – Be sure to use the ‘search’ function to find your name as the list is not entirely alphabetical. Knowing your bib number at check-in is helpful. Those 50K runners using drop-bags should mark them with your name and bib number.

 

Bib Number Pickup and Drop Bag Dropoff:
Bib number pickup and drop bag dropoff is just that – there will be no pre-race meeting etc. Representatives from the race will be there if you have any last minute questions. Weather permitting, it will be a festive atmosphere around check-in some come hang out awhile and socialize with your fellow runners.

 

2023 Race Beanie:
We are doing beanies this year, all runners will pick up this beanie at check-in https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/2023-race-beanie/

 

Cupless Race:
A reminder that we are a cupless race, so carry your own water bottle, hydration bladder and cup.

 

Results:
Race results will be available HERE https://www.athlinks.com/event/44440/results/Event/1051369/Results as soon as you finish.

 

Medals:
All runners will be awarded a medal. We started doing new medals in 2021, a scaled back design sans year / date with space to write it in or add other info helps us to cut down on waste (no more throwing out / burning dated medals). https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/new-superiors-finishers-medals-2021-and-beyond/

 

Post Race Meal:
A huge thank you to Caribou Highlands / Moguls Grill and Taproom for doing a wonderful job catering Chili for our event and generally being a great host. We will have meat and vegetarian chili for participants after they finish the race. For crew, pacers, family members or runners that need something more, Caribou Highlands / Moguls will be doing a cookout, selling burgers and other items near the finish line as well.

 

Coffee:
We are super excited to once again be serving coffee from our fantastic sponsor Fika Coffee throughout the event. Fika is a local coffee shop, located in downtown Lutsen off of Highway 61. https://fikacoffee.com/

 

Swag for Sale:
We will have some t-shirts, hats, posters, stickers, sweatshirts and more for sale. Cash and check preferred – Venmo and PayPal available.

 

Sponsors:
Please be sure to check out our awesome sponsors and Partners. We have real relationships with all of these businesses and most of the owners and/or employees are personal friends, they volunteer, run the races and are part of our local running community.

Superior Hiking Trail
Caribou Highlands
Visit Cook County
Salomon
Mill City / Saint City Running
Vaniply / Vanicream
Fika Coffee
Bell Bank Mortgage – Jerry Schmidt
JerCo Construction
Trail Transformation
Northwoods Running
Performance Running Gym
Bridge Realty – Bill Pomerenke
LutZen Massage Studios
Full Sun Services
Mile in My Shoes
Blue Water Cafe
St. Croix Law
Critical Connections Ecological Services
Relentless Courage – Jon Howard

 

In Closing:
Safe travels, we will see you at the race!

Superior Spring Trail Race
50KM, 25KM & 12.5KM
Lutsen, Minnesota
Saturday May 16, 2020
50KM 7:00AM
25KM 8:00AM
12.5KM 9:00AM

Registration / Lottery:
Opens Wednesday January 1st, 2020 – 12:01AM CST
Closes Wednesday January 15th, 2020 – 11:59PM CST
* Due to high demand, registration for the Superior “Spring” Trail Race is held via a lottery, more details about the lottery can be found HERE

Directions to Race Start:
Caribou Highlands Resort / Lodge
371 Ski Hill Road
Lutsen, MN 55612
Google Maps Directions HERE
Approx Travel Times
1:15 North of Two Harbors, MN
1:45 North of Duluth, MN
4:00 North of Minneapolis, MN

Terrain / Course Description:
The Superior 12.5KM, 25KM and 50KM Trail Races are extremely hilly, rugged and technical out-and-back (100% trail) trail-races which traverses the Sawtooth Mountain Range on the Superior Hiking Trail in the far reaches northern Minnesota .  The course parallels Lake Superior, the greatest freshwater lake in the world, climbs to near 2000′ peaks with breath-taking vistas of the lake and inland forests and crosses whitewater rivers and serene streams while meandering through mystic Boreal forests.  The races start and finish at Caribou Highlands Resort in Lutsen Minnesota.

Superior 50KM
25KM Out & Back Course = 50KM (31MI)
Elevation Gain 4,200 FT
Elevation Loss 4,200 FT
NET Elevation Change 8,400 FT
4 Aid Stations
9 Hour Time Limit
Starts at 7:00AM Saturday
Compete 50KM Info HERE

Superior 25KM
12.5KM Out & Back Course = 25KM (15.1MI)
Elevation Gain 2,300 FT
Elevation Loss 2,300 FT
NET Elevation Change 4,600 FT
1 Aid Station
8 Hour Time Limit
Starts Saturday at 8:00AM
Complete 25KM Info HERE

Superior 12.5KM
12.5KM Point to Point Course. 12.5KM = 7.75MI
Elevation Gain  900 FT
Elevation Loss 1,050 FT
NET Elevation Change 1,950 FT
NO Aid Stations
7 Hour Time Limit
Starts Saturday at 9:00AM
Complete 12.5KM Info HERE

More About the Area:
The North Shore of Lake Superior runs from Duluth, Minnesota at the Southwestern end of the lake, to Thunder Bay and Nipigon, Ontario, Canada, in the North to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, in the east. The shore is characterized by alternating rocky cliffs and cobblestone beaches, with rolling hills and ridges covered in boreal forest inland from the lake, through which scenic rivers and waterfalls descend as they flow to Lake Superior. The shoreline between the city of Duluth to the international border at Grand Portage as the North Shore.  Lake Superior is considered the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. It is the world’s third-largest freshwater lake by volume and the largest by volume in North America.  The Superior Hiking Trail, also known as the SHT, is a 310-mile long distance hiking single-track hiking trail in Northeastern Minnesota that follows the ridgeline overlooking Lake Superior for most of its length. The trail travels through forests of birch, aspen, pine, fir, and cedar. Hikers and runners enjoy views of boreal forests, the Sawtooth Mountains, babbling brooks, rushing waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. The lowest point on the trail is 602 feet above sea level and the highest point is 1,829 feet above sea level.