Growing Pains & Registrations Issues – Superior “Spring” Trail Race 25KM and 50KM, 2015
From: John Storkamp – Race Director

Dear Trail Community,

I would like to apologize for the technical issues with the Superior Spring Trail Race website during this years registration period.   Every attempt was made to keep people up to speed on the issue and the measures we were taking to correct it, part of that was the temporary suspension of registration while we worked to resolve the problem.  We asked that people check back on our website (and Facebook page) as we were planning to reopen registration as soon as the issue was resolved.  Once we were satisfied the issue was resolved and could reopen registration we made an announcement on our website and Facebook page(s) and registration commenced until the field limit was met.  It should be noted that for the 2013 race the field limit was me in 7 weeks, for 2014 it was met in 7 days and for 2015 we estimated it could fill in as quick as 4 days, so after reopening registration we fully expected people to have the opportunity to register for a few more days, in actuality the field limit was met in about 7 hours total registration “open” time, something that very few trail races in the entire country experience.

Per our predefined field limit, which is set in accordance with our permit(s) and implemented to ensure trail sustainability and overall safety and enjoyment for all participants we are unable to allow additional runners into the race.  While we realize that it is disappointing to not get into the race, we encourage you to still come up and be part of race weekend by supporting and cheering friends and family, volunteering at an aid station, taking a run on another section of the Superior Hiking Trail and generally being a part of our incredible trail / ultra running community.

Having been personally involved with running, trail racing and ultra events for some time I never thought I would see the day that an event such as ours would have such incredibly high demand and could reach capacity in hours let alone a few days – it looks like the days of just simply signing up for certain trail races might be behind us and we are already exploring options for a lottery system for next years race in order to avoid a similar situation in the future.

We thank you for your understanding.  Should you have any additional questions, comments or concerns I am available.

John Storkamp
Race Director
Superior Trail 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.