* The following was emailed to all registered 2020 Superior Spring Trail Race runners and volunteers on Thursday April 2, 2020.

Dear Friends,

I hope this email finds you and your family healthy and safe during these extraordinary times. If I am being completely honest, I would tell you that these have been very stressful times for Cheri and I – with lots of worries regarding our races, our business, our future, but moreso our at risk parents, our fellow citizens and even my own health having had reactive airway disease since I was a teen. I am sure that all of you are dealing with your own unique set of circumstances and worries, and I have been thinking of you. While I was on my (socially distanced) run last night the resounding theme I kept landing on was “We have all been through a lot in our lives, and we have always pulled through, one way or another we will all get through this”. And I believe it, we will get through this but it will take unity, sacrifice and time.

The reason for my email today is to provide you with a brief update regarding the Superior Spring Trail Race. As of today, the Superior Spring Trail Race is still scheduled and has not been cancelled. That said, I would be lying if I told you I had much confidence that this year’s race will happen. Other endurance events that take place in Cook County, later in the Spring than ours, have canceled. It was also announced this week that Grandmas’s Marathon in Duluth was canceled. I have upcoming meetings scheduled with the county, state and federal entities that issue our permits, along with other stakeholders, that can hopefully bring some modicum of additional clarity that will inform our next steps. Both the state of Minnesota shelter in place guidelines and federal social distancing guidelines are in effect through April 30. Even if those guidelines are not extended, our greatest concern, consideration and determining factor will be whether or not on May 16, it would be responsible to introduce a large group of people into Cook County / the county where the race is held. Cook County has a larger than average population of senior citizens especially vulnerable to the illness and extremely limited medical facilities. Based on this fact alone, you can see why it is not looking good and can clearly see what the main priority needs to be.

I know many if not most of you have been checking our website and have already seen our more comprehensive updates / statements, but in case you have not you may want to take the time to review them, especially the most recent which was released on 3/20/20 https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/covid-19-press-release-3-20-20/ – the initial statement was released on 3/12/20 https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/covid-19-press-release-3-12-20/

If or when we should cancel Superior, we will make every effort possible to do so within a reasonable amount of time prior to the race. As much work as it takes to host a race – canceling requires a whole other set of steps, coordination, communication, etc. We need to ensure we are meeting all of our obligations to the county, state, federal, trail and business entities that make this event possible. Due to the quickly evolving nature of all of this, we cannot commit to any set timeline, either for these determinations to be made or for our next communications – we appreciate your patience.

While I realize that participants either have made or would normally be making travel plans soon, I strongly encourage anyone planning to fly to Minnesota to not book anything at this time. If you are already booked I would advise reviewing the specific information provided by your airline – several airlines have recently announced more flexibility / leniency in regard to cancellations and rescheduling. Participants should also familiarize themselves with the cancellation policies of rental cars and lodging / accommodations if either apply.

During these difficult times lean on your family, your friends, your faith, your running or whatever it is that gets you through. If you have any questions, please reach out. I will be back in touch.

Thank You,

John Storkamp
Race Director
racedirector@superiortrailrace.com

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.