Greetings Runners,
We would like to welcome you to the 23rd Annual / 2025 Superior Spring Trail Race taking place on Saturday May 17 2025. 135+ volunteers are coming together to put on this year’s race. We are thrilled to have 985 registered runners from 2 countries, 20 states and 172 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 MOUNTAIN PARKING LOT IS NOT ALLOWED:
Lutsen Mountain (different ownership than Caribou Highlands lodge where the race is hosted out of / finishes) graciously allows racers to park in their large gravel parking lot, across Ski Hill Road from Caribou Highlands Lodge 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 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.
VERY IMPORTANT – CONTINUING TO WORK WITH LUTSEN MOUNTAIN ON THE FINISH ROUTE / FINAL MILE OF THE RACE IN 2025:
In order to honor a request from Lutsen Mountain (different than Caribou Highlands / our race host / race finish) the final mile of the race will stay off of the paved portion of Ski Hill Road again in 2025. Conditions permitting the final mile will be on the ski hill, crossing over Ski Hill Road via the ski bridge on ‘Bridge Run’, and onto Caribou Highlands property to the finish line. If conditions do not permit (the ski hill is holding too much snow, ice, mud, or standing water) we will likely use the sidewalk along Ski Hill Road. We will make an announcement about the final mile route on race morning along with any final instructions. As always, the route will be clearly marked. More information about this and a map showing the revised route can be found HERE https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/superior-spring-trail-race-final-mile-revision-2024-forward/
VERY IMPORTANT – SAWBILL AID STATION CUTOFF REVISION, APPLIES TO 50K RUNNERS ONLY:
For the 2025 race we have revised the Sawbill Aid Station cutoff. Complete details can be found HERE https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/sawbill-aid-station-50k-cutoff-revision-effective-2025/
Trail Conditions:
An average Tofte/Lutsen winter sees 90 inches of snow. This year we had 74 inches. The snow had pretty much melted, then we got a foot of new snow on April 2. That snow took awhile to melt due to cold nights all throughout the month of April, but all of the snow is now gone and the trails are in good shape. A huge thank you to Superior Trail Race organizers and volunteers, SHT section adopters, and Superior Hiking Trail Associations contractor for help clearing the above average / nearly 200 trees that were down / blocking on the Superior Spring Trail Race race course. As always, we could get rain the week of the race so come prepared for anything and do not be surprised with some mud and water where the trail goes through drainages and wetlands.
Bib Number Assignments:
Bib number assignments have been made and are available on our website HERE https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/2025-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.
T-Shirts!
All runners and volunteers will receive this awesome t-shirt as the event giveaway https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/2025-race-shirts/
Cupless Race:
A reminder that we are a cupless race, so carry your own water bottle(s) or hydration bladder, and cup.
Results:
Race results will be available HERE https://www.athlinks.com/Events/1107989 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:
As always we will 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.
Donate Your Gently Used Trail Running Gear:
New in 2025 we will be accepting lightly used trail running shoes, technical clothing, and gear (packs, vests, headlamps, watches, etc.) that you no longer want or use, at Rocksteady Running Races. Items will be donated to Mile in My Shoes and made available to Resident Members who are getting into trail running! Mile in My Shoes is an official Superior Trail Race / Rocksteady Running charity partner. You can learn more about MiMS HERE https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/mile-in-my-shoes/ and HERE https://www.mileinmyshoes.mn/
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 2025, 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
Northwoods Running
State Farm Insurance – Geri Martin
Trail Transformation
Performance Running Gym
Consilience Coaching
Climb Above Endurance Coaching
Discover Strength
North Coast Trail Running
Bridge Realty – Bill Pomerenke
Full Sun Services
Mile in My Shoes
LutZen Massage Studios
Captain Ken’s Chili
Relentless Courage – Jon Howard
Critical Connections Ecological Services
St. Croix Law
Looking for a cool down the week after Superior, or another 25K/50K race in a month-and-a-half?
Join us for our first installment of the Endless Summer Trail Run Series on Wednesday May 21 at Lebanon Hills Park in Eagan MN https://www.estrs.com/lebanon-10km/ and/or the Afton Trail Run 25K & 50K on Saturday July 5 at Afton State Park / Hastings Minnesota https://www.aftontrailrun.com/
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]