Volunteer Communication 3 2015

Date: Monday May 11th, 2015
Subject: Superior Spring Trail Race Volunteer Email 3 2015

Hello All!

[ A list of past volunteer emails can be found HERE http://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/volunteer-updates/ ]

Thank you again for your generosity / volunteering for the Superior Spring Trail Race on Saturday May 16th – This email is a quite lengthy, but doing the job safely and correctly is very important to all of us so thanks for taking the time to read through this!  We have a lot of excited runners and the trails are in great shape – we are looking forward to a fun weekend with all 75 of our awesome volunteers!

Volunteer Assignments:
Volunteer Assignments have been made and are available HERE http://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/volunteer-assignments/ – if you see something that does not work for you, please let us know right away.  You can search the list by volunteer position or by last name – be sure to do both as many of you are assigned to more than one position.  Most of the volunteer assignments are pretty straightforward but you can find job descriptions and directions on how to get to where you need to be along with what equipment and food your aid station will be provided with and even how to work an aid station if you have never done it under the “volunteer” section of the website.  Also be sure to read up on all the race info on the website especially that which is under the Race Info section so you have the best possible sense of what is going on at the race and can be a good resource for runners, spectators and other volunteers. We have really good coverage for race weekend but If anyone that does not work on Monday wants to help us clean-up at our home in Hastings, we would not turn you down!

Medical / Safety and Runner Tracking:
We have a Duluth Physician (Adam Swank) along with Adventure EMT Services (Joy Parker) Heading up our medical team.  We also have some EMTs and other medical people out on course working at the aid stations, in the ‘notes’ section people are called out if they have some medical training.  As always, if there is an emergency, we want to get the HAM Radio Operators involved right away who will in turn get Adam and Joy involved.  If it is something very minor, one of the medical people at the aid stations may be able to assist, if it is a bit more serious the HAMS will call to the finish and get in touch with Adam or Joy for some direction and if it is a true emergency, the HAMS will call for Cook County emergency services to be dispatched.  Cook County Emergency Services info. can be found HERE http://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/emergency-contact-information/
Runner Tracking:
Our fantastic Ham Radio volunteers may need a little help during the busy times writing down runners numbers – if your aid station is well staffed and you have a free person, please feel free to offer (or they may ask) – if they don’t need you that is fine to. It is very important that since this is a wilderness race that we account for the whereabouts of runners at all times.  This will entail sitting at a table and writing down the bib numbers of runners as they come through. If a runner DNFs make sure their number is reported to the HAMS and that you take possession of their chip (they can remove it from the bib) so they can call it in!
Road Crossings & Parking:
We need to have two volunteers where the Superior Hiking Trail crosses Sawbill Trail / Cook County 2 – we will have two people with vests and flags stationed here and signage on the road on each side of the crossing – although this road does not get a ton of traffic, this is a fairly high speed road so this is very important.  We will also position two people at the top of Onion River Road where it dumps into the Oberg parking lot since right at this intersection, the Superior Hiking Trail comes in and it is always a chaotic mix of cars entering the lot at low speed and runners – these flaggers will help keep order at this intersection and in the parking lot where the aid station is also located – aid station volunteers please offer to relieve these assigned individuals from time to time so they can get a short break – use the restroom, eat etc.IMPORTANT – The US Forest Service has asked that there be NO race related parking in the designated lots at Sawbill or Oberg for this years Spring Race (this includes volunteers) at Sawbill we will have volunteers directing traffic further down Sawbill Trail (past the trailhead onto the gravel portion) and volunteers and spectators can park on either side of the road.  At Oberg we will have someone at the top of Onion River Road directing traffic to turn around and park on Onion River Road facing the lake.Lodging:
If you need a place to stay you are welcome to stay in one of the ‘Volunteer Townhomes’ at Caribou Highlands.  These are communal accommodations and sometimes we have to cram a decent number of people in so please be sure to bring a sleeping bag and sleeping pad in case all the beds are taken.  Here is a map showing how to get to the townhomes once you are at Caribou Highlands – our units are LIKELY going to be 530, 532 and 538 (but once in awhile things change at the last minute) http://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/wp-content/uploads/Caribou_Highlands_Layout_Superior_Spring_Map_Diagram_5-10-13.pdf – each unit will have a list of names on the door indicating where you are supposed to be / which unit and which room.  Many of you have already indicated you need a place to stay so please see spreadsheet at the end of this email (omitted for web version) of those who indicated they need a place to stay – if you need a place to stay yet and your name is not on the list, please let us know.  If you are not comfortable with this arrangement there are other good lodging options right a Caribou Highlands and camping options available in the area.  Bring a sleeping bag, pillow and towel. Do not leave valuables in the units since we do not lock the doors so everyone can get in at all times – if you are away be sure to bring valuables with you, lock them in the car etc.Finally, If you are assigned at an aid station we will send your volunteer “Buffs” out to you – we will also send out a bagged lunch with a sandwich, chips and cookie.  If you are assigned elsewhere, your “Buff” will be at the finish line area / race headquarters and you can eat chili at the post race meal / anytime after 11:30 AM – those at the aid stations are welcome and encouraged to come to the finish after their aid station closes to eat as well and visit.

As always should you have any questions please contact us – preferably before Thursday since that is when we leave for Lutsen and communicating and making any changes is easier to do prior to us heading up.  Looking forward to seeing everyone and another successful race!

Thank You,

John Storkamp
Race Director
Superior Trail Races

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.