[ Preliminary and only applicable if we have to switch to the alternate course ]

Superior Spring Trail Race Backup Race Course Information

“Party in the Pit or Soiree in the Quarr-ay”

Race Date:
Saturday May 20, 2023

Location:
A pretty cool forest road
Tofte, Minnesota

Should we be unable to use the Superior Hiking Trail for the Superior Spring Trail Race due to climactic or course conditions, the following is the race course and format we will use. All of this is subject to slight modification.

Updates regarding the 2023 race can be found HERE https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/category/race-updates/

General race rules and policies as published on the distance specific pages of our website still apply: 50K, 25K, 12.5K. Specific (overriding) details for the alternate race course and format can be found below.

Check-In Friday & Saturday:
Check in will be held at the normal times / location on Friday evening and Saturday morning.

Friday, May 19, Caribou Highlands Lodge 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Saturday, May 20, 5:30 AM to 8:30 AM – check-in for each distance ending 15 minutes before bus departure. We will ‘re-check’ runners as they get off the buses.

Busses to Race Start & Warmups:
Runners will get on busses in the large surface parking lot across from Caribou Highlands Lodge. There will be a large “shuttle” flag in the lot. There will be toilets next to the bus stop. It is an approximate 15 minute ride to the race start. You (or your crew / spectators) may not drive to the start of the race – you have to take the shuttle. The limited parking that there is, is needed for volunteers.

50K: Buses depart at 7AM

25K: Buses depart at 8AM

12K: Buses depart at 9AM

Warmups: If you can, bring a plastic bag and some warm clothes, a rain jacket, etc. to stash in before and after your run. A plastic bag is key as we will not have a way to protect that many bags. Do not put valuables in your bag. Be sure to label your bag so you can easily identify it when you are done running.

Race Course, Race Start, Format, Cutoff:
Race Course: The race course consists of an approximate 2.1 mile (uphill / downhill) segment (4.2 miles round trip) near the town of Tofte. There is a short stretch of paved bike trail to start / finsish each lap, with the majority of the course being on a rugged gravel road. The setting is mostly wooded. Some good views emerge as you ascend and there is an absolutely stunning view of Lake Superior from the quarry at the top. There is about 580FT of elevation gain in the 2.1 mile uphill segment. Expect great camaraderie and encouragement from your fellow runners throughout. A race course map can be found below.

Race Start: Once all of the participants for a given distance have arrived at the race start, we will allow another 10 minutes or so for runners to take final bathroom breaks, and make final preparations – we will then gather everyone up, give some final instructions and then start the race. Estimated start times are as follows: 50K 7:45AM, 25K 8:45AM, 12.5K 9:45AM

Format: Runners may run (close to) their entire race distance (50K, 25K 12.5K), run longer time permitting, or can cut it short if they choose – each runner will get timed / credit for however many laps they choose to run. Runners will have full aid every 4.2 miles. 50K runners can bring their drop bags and place them in a central location to work out of. While 25K and 12.5K runners are not typically allowed drop bags for the traditional trail race, you are welcome to have one for the modified race – especially helpful if you choose to go longer.

The Cutoff: There will be a cutoff at 2:30PM meaning no runner can start another loop after that time.

Laps and Declaring your Finish:
As you complete laps, our timers will manually record your bib number – so please make sure that it visible and make sure they record it. Our chip timing system will read the timing chip affixed to your bib number as well. When you are done / will not be heading out for another lap, proceed to the tent just past the timing tent / lap point to “declare your finish”. Your final finish time / number of laps will be confirmed, we will cut your timing chip with a scissors, and you will be awarded your medal. A diagram showing how the laps / finish will work can be found below.

Late year we had many folks just do one loop, we also had folks do as many as 9. You can see results from last year HERE https://www.athlinks.com/event/44440/results/Event/1018935/Results

1 = 4.2
2 = 8.4
3 = 12.6
4 = 16.8
5 = 21
6 = 25.2
7 = 29.4
8 = 33.6
9 = 37.8
10= 42

Post Race:
Once you are done, stick around and cheer (as long as you can stay warm). When you are ready, there will be buses to bring you back to Caribou Highlands / Lutsen parking. Chili, beverages and socializing will be at Caribou Highlands when you get back, just make your way to the party tent at the back of the lodge, where the normal finish line is, chili will be served until approximately 5pm. You can also go get cleaned up first and come back, your choice. If we have a nice evening, come back, enjoy fires on the patio and camaraderie with your fellow racers. Note there will be no formal program at Caribou Highlands but food and beverages will be served and race officials will be around until at least 5PM.

Crew / Spectators:
Your crew or spectators may ride the bus, space permitting. If they cannot get on the first trip, they can try to get on next time a bus comes back around. They are welcome to be at the start / finish / lap area (please do not crowd the aid station), or walk out onto the race course, as long as they give the right of way to runners. Crew may only give aid near the start / finish / lap area.