2012 Superior 50KM Trail Race:
Race Date: Saturday May 19th, 2012
Start Location: Caribou Highlands Resort, Lutsen Minnesota
Start Time: 7:00 AM
Superior 50KM Trail Race Description and History:
The Superior 50 KM Trail Race is an out-and-back (100% trail) ultramarathon 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 race starts and finishes at Caribou Highlands Resort in Lutsen Minnesota. Runners will have access to 4 aid stations between the start and finish.
Registration:
Registration for this years race will open on Monday January 9th, 2012. You can register online or fill in the online form, print it and mail it in your check (additional fees apply for mail-in registration). The fee is $60.00 in January, $70.00 in February and $80.00 March-May. All registration will close on Saturday May 12 at 5:00 PM or once the field limit has been met. There will be no registration after Saturday May 12 at 5:00 PM. There will be no registration at packet-pickup or race-day registration so do not delay, sign up early!
Field Limit:
Field limit for the Superior Spring Races is 500 for the 25K and 50K combined.
Refunds:
Sorry, we do not offer them – please consider carefully before registering.
What you get:
A well marked course with plenty of aid and tons of friendly, experienced volunteers. In the past all registered runners have received a short-sleeve technical T-shirt and finishers medal – we are looking at changing things up a bit this year and more information on what cool swag we come up with will be posted soon. Each runner will receive a complimentary post race meal.
Travel:
The race start is approximately 4.5 hours north of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Minneapolis has a world class international airport and traveling to the race is a breeze. More detailed info on travel can be found HERE.
Lodging:
Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN is the race host hotel – the race finishes at Caribou Highlands and the finish-line will be just a short walk to your room. We recommend that you stay here and support Caribou Highlands as they do a great job supporting us! Special room rates are available if you mention you are a Superior 50 Mile racer. Call 1-800-642-6036 or visit their Website at www.caribouhighlands.com. Caribou Highlands’ address is 371 Ski Hill Road, P.O. Box 99 in Lutsen, MN 55612.
Packet Pick-Up
Friday, May 18th, Caribou Highlands Lodge, Mountain View Conference room 4:00 to 7:00 PM and Saturday, May 19, 5:30 – 6:30 am. The Mountain View Conference Room faces the outdoor pool (and the outdoor pool is right next to the finish line by the patio area behind Caribou Highlands).
Drop Bags
We will take drop bags up until 6:30 AM on race morning. Please be sure to have the drop bag location (Sawbill or Oberg), you name, race number and distance that you are running clearly marked on the outside of the bag. Please keep your drop bag as small as possible. If you plan to use a drop bag, please realize that it may not be at the finish line right when you finish and you may have to wait for it until the end of the race to get it. A good option is to only put belongings in the bag that you do not want back and use a disposable drop bag.
Pre-Race Briefing
An optional pre-race briefing will be held on the Caribou Highlands Lodge Patio / Superior Trail Race finish line on Friday, May 19 at 7:00 pm. We will also do a quick runner briefing at 6:50 AM on Saturday at the start-line just prior to the start of the race.
Weather and Clothing:
Early Mid-May in Northern Minnesota – we can have highs in the mid 80′s and lows in the mid 30′s or, believe it or not, a combination of both! Rain is not uncommon. Be prepared, watch the forecast and plan accordingly.
Race Start
Saturday, May 19, 7:00 am – All runners must check in race morning prior to starting otherwise you are unofficial / not in the race (this is your responsibility!)
Race Numbers:
The Superior Spring Trail Race hosts two races simultaneously, the Superior 50KM Trail Race (starts at 7:00 AM Saturday) and the Superior 25KM Trail Race (starts at 9:00 AM Saturday). Each distance will have its own unique race number (unique color and number series) so runners can be easily identified by race officials, volunteers, spectators and other runners. We ask that all competitors wear their number on the front of their body on their outer-most layer at all times. Runners will be tracked coming into and out of each aid station. If we cannot see your number, we cannot track you or take your finishing time and if we cannot do that, you will be disqualified and will not earn an official finish. More information on race numbers can be found HERE.
Chip-Timing
We will be using chip timing for the race. Your chip will be on a velcro strap that you should attach to your right or left ankle only – no other spot on your body is acceptable. You must wear your chip at all times.
Course Markings:
The course will be marked with Orange flags, which will always be on the left hand side of the trail outbound and on the right-hand side inbound. The Superior Trail 50 KM primarily follows the Superior Hiking Trail – you can also look for the offical Superior Hiking Trail signs for assurance that you are on the right trail. Throughout the race you will encounter intersecting trails and Superior Hiking Trail “Spur-Trails” - in the 50 KM the only time you will ever take a “Spur-Trail” or a trail that is not the superior hiking trail is just after the start and right at the finish as you follow the road to the Poplar River / the SHT trail-head on the way out (reverse on the way back) – this will be clearly marked.
It is unfortunate but is not unheard of at many of the major trail races that course vandalism has occurred and flagging has been intentionally moved or removed by small minded individuals – it is important that you study the course maps prior to running and have a concept of where you are going – also, always remember, you are supposed to be on the Superior Hiking Trail only – except in those specific instances listed above.
Aid Stations.
Our aid stations are manned by volunteers, all of them spending a good part of their day out there and weekend up north to help you! Please be sure to thank the volunteers. A complete list of the aid stations can be found HERE. Food and Drink – Aid stations will have the following beverage and food choices available: Water, Hammer Heed, Hammer Gel, Soft Drinks, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Potato Chips, Potatoes & Salt, Cookies, Candy, Fruit
Pacers:
Pacers are not allowed.
Headphones
Due to our past experience with people wearing headphones on trail runs such as these, we discourage their use however we won’t tell you can’t wear them . Full awareness of one’s surroundings, and the ability to communicate with other participants, race volunteers, and trail users unassociated with the event are critical to everyone’s safety. Please use common sense.
Littering:
Don’t do it. If you see some trash someone else has dropped, pick it up. Keep the trail clean at all costs.
Cut-off Times:
For the sake of our volunteers, we’ve established closing times for the aid stations. Those closing times also provide good guidelines for novice racers who want to finish by the time the finish line closes at 3:00. Any racer who finishes after 3:00 will receive a finisher’s award but his / her time will not be recorded.
The Sawbill aid station will close at 12:00.
The Oberg aid station will close at 1:30.
If You DNF:
Should you need to drop out of the race, remove your number and your chip and give them directly to the HAM radio operators at the aid stations you are dropping at – if you are not sure who that is ask around until you find them. If you leave the course and fail to notify race officials, you will be asked not to come back.
Awards:
1st Place Overall Male and Female
1st place Open (age 39 – under) Male and Female
1st place Masters (age 40 – over) Male and Female
1st Place Grand Masters (age 50+) Male and Female
* There will be no official awards ceremony, we will hand out awards shortly after runners finish.
Post-Race Clean-Up:
Caribou Highlands Lodge will furnish shower facilities and towels for runners who are not staying at the lodge.
Post-Race Meal:
We will be serving Chili and Vegetarian Chili with corn-bread and fixings all day and night after you finish the race – please sit and break bread with us and share some stories.
Results:
Results will be updated regularly at the finish. Preliminary results will be available on the website within a couple of days of the finish – final results (with any corrections) will be posted on our website within a few weeks of the end of the race.
Lost and Found
Any personal items left after the race will be donated to a charity. We will not ship items to you.
Volunteers:
We are always looking for them. Do you have friends and family coming but don’t really need them to follow you around to crew – see if they want to volunteer. Learn more by visiting the volunteer page.
Superior Hiking Trail Association
A portion of the race proceeds will be donated to the Superior Hiking Trail Association. Consider becoming a Superior Hiking Trail Association member to help further support the trail. Learn moreby visiting the Superior Hiking Trail Association online HERE
Next years race date:
Next years race will be held on Saturday May 18th, 2013
You have trained hard and have a lot invested in this – push hard and do your best but please use common sense and be safe. Best of luck to all of you.
The Superior 50KM Trail Race is a Rocksteady Running LLC event – Learn more HERE.
