Greetings Runners,

Welcome to the 22nd Annual / 2024 Superior Spring Trail Race. 135+ volunteers are coming together to put on this year’s race. We are thrilled to have 981 registered runners from 2 countries, 24 states and 203 Minnesota cities.

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.

 

Lodging:
Caribou Highlands has had a couple of cancellations, so a few lodging options (lodge rooms, condos, townhomes) are available at Caribou Highlands right at the start / finish area. Contact Caribou Highlands if you are still in need of lodging.

 

VERY IMPORTANT – CAMPING OR SLEEPING IN YOUR VEHICLE IN THE LUTSEN PARKING LOT IS NOT ALLOWED:
Lutsen Mountain graciously allows racers to park in their large surface gravel parking lot, across Ski Hill Road from Caribou Highlands for both the Spring and Fall races. They have asked us, to pass a note to race participants that camping or sleeping in your car, van, truck, etc. is not permitted in their parking lot or anywhere on their property. Failure to comply with this could negatively impact the race. If you need somewhere to camp the night before or after the race we suggest one of the following fantastic options; Temperance River State Park, Lamb’s Resort, Grand Marais Recreation Area / Municipal Campground, Cascade River State Park, Black Beach Campground (Silver Bay), or Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. There are several other options in the area, here are some additional resources Visit Cook County and MNDNR / State Parks.

 

Trail Conditions:
We had a much different winter than the previous two, with very little snow and as a result there was very little lingering snow pack to melt in April. We have been getting a fair amount of rain this spring, but even so, things had been so dry that the trails are in good shape. As always expect some mud in the low / wetland areas.

 

Bib Number Assignments:
Bib number assignments have been made and are available on our website HERE https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/2024-bib-assignments/ – Be sure to use the ‘search’ function to find your name as the list is not entirely alphabetical. 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.

 

IMPORTANT – Crew, pacers, family and spectators:
If you have crew, pacers, family or spectators joining you at this years race they need to review THIS https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/spectator-info/ page and associated links in its entirety, please make sure you forward this information to them.

 

Hats!
All runners and volunteers will receive this awesome, super breathable, quick drying, crushable, run hat! We produced extras of these; so if friends, family, crew or pacers would like one, they may purchase one on race weekend. https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/2024-race-hat/

 

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/1077116/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 dong a wonderful job catering Chili donated by Captain Ken’s for this event!  We will have meat and vegetarian chili for participants after they finish the race. For crew, pacers, family members – or runners that needs something more, Caribou Highlands / Moguls will be doing a cookout, selling burgers and other items right at 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.

 

Wood Print Course Map and Elevation Charts Pre-Order:
For all of our races this year we are producing THESE incredibly cool course maps and elevation charts. We are taking the first 75 pre-orders to come in for production prior to, and ready for pickup at Superior. You can see photos, get more info and place your order HERE https://forms.gle/j7EcSyRbw31KgtFG7

 

Mile In My Shoes:
Mile in My Shoes is our charity partner. You can either become a fundracer (for any of our races) or donate to your fellow runners who are fundracing.

 

Help if You Can:
Mya and her cousin Hilde have run and volunteered with us over the years. Mya’s daughter Roya could use our help… https://cota.org/cotaforroyashope/our-story/

 

Support the Superior Hiking Trail:
A large percentage of you are already Superior Hiking Trail Association members.  Many of you who are not, indicated at the time you registered, that you would like to be.  Now is a great time to show our support en masse that we, as trail runners support the trail that we love to run!  You can join, or make an extra donation to the SHT via the following (custom for Superior Trail Race) links… https://superiorhiking.org/joinsuperior/ and https://superiorhiking.org/donatesuperior/ – if / when you donate consider dropping a line to the SHT telling them how much you value the race and the trail. The Superior Trail Race will continue its charitable legacy to the Superior Hiking Trail Association with a $3,000 donation in 2024, in addition to ongoing volunteer efforts on the trail itself; building, clearing, maintaining and improving.

 

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
Mill City / Saint City Running
Vaniply / Vanicream
Fika Coffee
Bell Bank Mortgage – Jerry Schmidt
JerCo Construction
Trail Transformation
Northwoods Running
Performance Running Gym
Consilience Coaching
Bridge Realty – Bill Pomerenke
LutZen Massage Studios
Captain Ken’s Chili
Full Sun Services
Mile in My Shoes
St. Croix Law
Critical Connections Ecological Services
Relentless Courage – Jon Howard

 

Need a Cool Down?
Join us for our first installment of the Endless Summer Trail Run Series on Wednesday May 22 at Lebanon Hills Park in Eagan MN. https://www.estrs.com/lebanon-10km/

 

We cannot thank you enough for taking part in the Superior Trail Race – we cannot wait to see you all at the race. If you have any questions, please reach out.

 

Thank You,

John Storkamp
Race Director
[email protected]