Great company crossing the Moose Mountain Marathon finish line at Caribou Highlands Lodge on Lutsen Mountain on Saturday afternoon – photo credit Mike Wheeler
The Superior 100 Mile Trail Race is held on the Superior Hiking Trail on the north shore of Lake Superior in northern Minnesota. It was founded in 1991 and is the 9th oldest 100 mile trail race in the country. The list is; Western States (’74), Old Dominion (’79), Wasatch (’80), Leadville (’83), Angeles Crest (’86), Vermont (’89), Mohican (’90), Arkansas Traveler (’91) and Superior (’91). Today, we estimate that there are around 250 one hundred mile races held annually in the United States. Shortly after the inception of the 100, the Superior 50 was founded as a separate event, and the two were later combined. The Moose Mountain Marathon was added to the Fall lineup in 2004 to provide a sub-ultra distance option for runners on race weekend. The three distances comprise what today is known as the Superior Fall Trail Race. In 2003 a companion event, the Superior Spring Trail Race was added, it takes place each May and has 50KM, 25KM and 12.5KM race distances. 2026 marked the 36th annual Superior 100. Due to both the Spring and Fall races popularity, registration for the races is held via a lottery registration process – not all runners who apply get in. Many of those who do not get in choose to be a part of race weekend as volunteers. This year 999 runners from 5 countries, 39 states and 175 Minnesota cities were selected to participate via the lottery. Approximately 45% were return runners, and 55% were new to the event. Whether you ran the 100, 50 or 26.2 this year, finished first, last, somewhere in between or did not make it to the finish this time, crewed, paced, spectated or volunteered, we thank you for being an equal and indispensable part of a special few days.
Superior 100 mile runners on the ridge just before dropping down to the Silver Bay Aid Station in Silver Bay MN – photo credit Tone Coughlin
Throughout the majority of 2026, Minnesota was in a statewide drought. As of this writing, Minnesota DNR maps still show the North Shore under “Severe Drought.” Late August brought a slight increase in overnight rain showers, but not enough to put a dent in these persistent conditions. That said, a couple of sporadic daytime rain showers on Friday, along with short periods of heavy rain overnight, left an impression on the 100-milers. While this rain made the trails slick overnight and into the early morning hours, the ground had been so dry that by Saturday afternoon trail conditions were once again more or less ideal. While the daytime temps on Friday were not particularly high compared to the hot summer we had, the humidity and dewpoint were; so when the sun came out, it got steamy with runners feeling the heat. The overnight storms broke the spell, and Saturday offered up perfect running conditions.
Superior 100 mile winner Tyler Morey crossing the newly constructed Baptism River High Falls bridge in Tettegouche State Park – photo credit Emiliano Monroy
Emily Carlson in the early miles of the 50 mile race which runs from Finland to Lutsen – photo credit Emily Tidwell
Marathoner Darcie Pefier climbing Moose Mountain on Saturday afternoon – Photo Credit Emily Tidwell
Forgive me as I find myself frequently returning to this idea… The word compete comes from the latin word competere which means ‘to strive together’. Once again everywhere I looked on race weekend, this is what I saw, our entire group (collective) striving together. Our local agencies, towns, and partners readying for and welcoming us. Advance volunteers helping with on the ground setup starting on Wednesday. 42 course marking volunteers getting out and marking the 101 miles of trail on Thursday. 100 mile runners nervous with anticipation and full of good vibes showing up to check-in on Thursday – their families, crews, and pacers in tow. The massive energy, togetherness, and encouragement of race morning. 400 plus volunteers on task for the next 38 hours (plus) to make the race possible. 50 milers then marathoners bringing their fresh energy (and their families, friends and spectators) to a glorious new day on Saturday. A finish line and finish area staffed by our fellow runners, welcoming, and caring for our finishers (and did-not finishers). The front of the pack / fleet of foot pushing each other to the top placings in each distance – the middle and the back of the pack working towards that first, or fifth, or tenth finish (or even more). Those that did not finish (this time) grateful for the opportunity and the growth that comes when we test our limits. Please see the photo highlights gallery and read my volunteer thank you as further evidence of how we all showed up for and strived together.
Pole those top 10 finishers at most any trail / ultra race about what motivates them and their list will align with just about everyone else at the race. A personal challenge, enjoyment, transcendence, it beats work, to name just a few. But for talent, extraordinary amounts of hard work (read; a lot of quick running), and a competitive inner drive these runners find themselves at the tip of the spear, and for many of them, finishing their races in the wee hours of Saturday, through mid-morning, before the finish line has filled out with other finishers, returning crew / pacers, and other spectators. The irony of Superior is that they just don’t get the big crowds that the late afternoon and evening finisher do as the party is still out on course during those early hours. So, let’s make some noise for them now! Here is a list of the overall winners for each of the three distances.
100 Mile
Male Tyler Morey 19:54:12
Female Jessie Diggins 25:09:45
Non-Binary Anna Grace Tiede Hottinger 27:11:37
50 Mile
Male Eric Peterson 9:11:37
Female Hannah Loughlin 10:04:28
Marathon
Male Spencer Castillo 3:45:45
Female Kate Eggers 4:30:02
Non-Binary Rhiannon Zwieg 7:56:38
Rapid fire, here are some other things that left an impression on race weekend:
We collectively set a glitter PR… Minnesota (and American) endurance athletes have always been extremely proud to claim Jessie Diggins as one of our own. Throughout her storied cross county skiing career from which she recently retired, Jessie was a four-time overall World Cup champion, four-time Olympic medalist (two bronze, silver and gold) and 7x World Championship medalist. Given her pedigree and tenacity it was of no great surprise that she would take take the Superior 100 win, in her 100 mile trail running race debut, but if you ask her she will tell you that she had to dig deep for it.
It is also not entirely surprising that Tyler M and Tyler K went one-two in the 100. They have gone one-two at the Superior 50 mile in the past, and respectively hold the two fastest Superior 50 mile times ever run on the modern day course. Tyler M has now won the Superior Fall Trail Race 100M, 50M & 26.2M along with the Superior Spring Trail Race 50K – if he can do the same at the 25K and 12.5K he will get the sweep. Comparably, Wynn Davis has won them all besides the 50 miler. Some marathoners noticed that Tyler M came out on Saturday morning just a few hours after his win and cheered on each marathoner as they ran by.
By finishing this years 100; Robert Edman, Kathy Errthum, Troy Feustel, Scott Hoberg and Kate Leis have been newly minted as 10 time Superior 100 finishers. It should be noted that all of these folks routinely volunteer with us (and at other races), most of them multiple times each year. Tracy Denbleyker earned her 11th finish and Tina Koplinski-Johnson her 13th. Our 22 time Superior 100 Mile finisher Susan Donnelly volunteered on Friday at the Silver Bay aid station and ran her first ever Moose Mountain Marathon on Saturday. Until this year no runner over the age of 67 had finished the Superior 100, although several had tried. One of my oldest (no pun intended) and closest friends, Matt Long (who typically works as the Superior 100 day one sweep coordinator and cutoff enforcer), finished the 100 mile race at 70 years young. Speaking of the 10X club, Karl Adalbert got his 9th Superior 50 Mile finish this year and we look forward to seeing him attempt his 10th next year. Only one other runner has completed 10 Superior 50’s, that is Deb Vom Hoff – her last finish was in 2014. John Daniels finished the 50 at 70 years old with his sons Peter and William in tow – John is now the oldest finisher of the 50 mile. Kimberly Alaspa, Doug Holod, Michael Keegan and John Kroschel all got their 10th Moose Mountain Marathon finish. John Horns ran his 13th, Travis Brouillard his 14th, Lonny Beck and Steve Hagedorn their 16th, and Bruce Anderson his 18th. We had 11 finishers 70 and older in the marathon, with Kay Stinson finishing her 7th MMM at the age of 79! Bruce said he’s done (again) and Kay says she will volunteer next year – we shall see on both accounts.
John Vallez, third overall in the Superior 100 Mile Trail Race, getting some help cooling off on Friday – photo credit Tryg Solberg
Superior 100 mile runner Sharleen Stevens summiting Mt Trudee on Friday evening – photo credit Scott Rokis
A gift from our resident author, and poet, Kevin Langton – Enjoy.
Caribou
Wisconsin is a wisp of haze across the water.
Hawks and ravens rise and bob on ridges of air.
I’m running alone, past rocks
covered in reindeer lichen and pixie foam.
I’m falling into the now of things.
The world of televisions and appointments
and traffic lights is miles behind us.
Out here it is pure stripped-down existence we seek.
I’m running through this timeless forest
and it could be any century,
and I could be anyone.
I’m doing this thing we’re evolved to do,
moving across the earth, my feet stepping
over layers and layers of time, over rocks
pushed up bubbling hot from miles deep in the earth,
over trees and leaves and dirt and bones and rot.
I could lose myself here.
Elves and fairies and Viking explorers
and Ojibway hunters and Scandinavian fishermen
and prehistoric nomads following caribou
migrations could be looking up from their work
and fires and huts to see me run past,
a twig snapping,
a rustle and blur of leaves,
a ghost in their world.
I cross the Caribou River
and follow it upstream.
I stretch out on a flat rock and dip
my head face down
in a pool of cool still water.
It catches my breath.
I could stay here forever.
(Some of the) Superior Fall Trail Race Cramer Road aid station volunteers sleep deprived yet having fun – photo credit Pete Hagen
Volunteers:
Just over 400 volunteers came together to make this year’s race a success. Most are oft runners and volunteers from our local running community, some are friends and families of runners. The most incredible may be those volunteers that have never run a step in their lives but believe wholeheartedly in the goodness that our event creates in the world. There is also no shortage of 50 milers and marathoners who volunteer on Friday and run on Saturday, nor is there any shortage of 100, 50 or 26.2 mile runners that come help with cleanup at our home on Monday. While I would never tell someone they are doing it wrong as we all find ourselves in a different season of life, I would say that if you are only running races and not volunteering, you are depriving yourself of a very special gift. Our trail marking crew are multi-year / return volunteers all who have committed themselves to learning our system of marking over the years. Just over 40 individuals, working in teams of 3 marked all 101 miles of trail on the Thursday before the race. They also performed some last minute trail clearing and tune up. The sweepers are also generally folks who have made multi-year commitments and work to keep the entire race safe, and on track. Our logistics team drop off, keep stocked, and then pick up tens-of-thousands of pounds of gear, water and food. Our Friday setup crew gets everything in place and set up at the finish line for the weekend, greet runners in the morning to load the buses and so on. Skilled teams of Aid Station Workers, Medical, HAM Radio / Communications, Runner Tracking, Timing, Photography, Packet Pickup, Race Start, Finish Line volunteers and more go above and beyond each and every year. I encourage you to take the time to read the volunteer recap / thank you HERE https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/thank-you-letter-to-volunteers-2026/ – if you want to see the relative enormity of what it takes to pull off Superior see HERE https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/volunteer-assignments/ A large percentage of the trail running community routinely volunteers. If you have not yet, give yourself the gift of doing as much… with RSR or at another race, either would be great. We all make this go.
Superior 100 mile finisher Shannon Hogan in the sea of green – photo credit Scott Rokis
Photos:
The majority of the photo galleries are in https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/photos/ Please keep in mind that some of our photographers sell their photos, some make low res images available for free and sell the high res versions, some will accept tips and some give away the high res images for free. Please look for notes / prompts for each photographer / gallery. All of them put a ton of time into it and have a pile of expensive gear that make having these stunning images possible. As always it is good form to credit (by name) and thank photographers for the photos you are sharing on your social media or elsewhere. If you want to use photos for commercial purposes please contact the photographers directly or contact me if you are unable to find their contact information. If you are a photographer or aspiring photographer and you would like to come shoot some time, please contact us, we would love to have you.
Results and Stats:
Race day / live results were / are available HERE. Official race results are available on our website [ 100M, 50M, 26.2M ]. 100 mile splits can be found HERE. Results have also been uploaded to UltraSignup [ 100M, 50M, 26.2M ] and have been sent into UTMB [ 100M, 50M, 26.2M ] so qualifying points can be awarded to those that wish to apply for those races (UTMB, CCC, TDS, OCC).
| 2026 | Registered | Started | Start % | DNS | DNS % | DNFd | DNF % | Finished | Finish % |
| 100 Mile | 302 | 256 | 85% | 46 | 15% | 105 | 41% | 151 | 59% |
| 50 Mile | 239 | 174 | 73% | 65 | 27% | 35 | 20% | 139 | 80% |
| Marathon | 459 | 352 | 77% | 107 | 23% | 16 | 5% | 336 | 95% |
| Total | 1000 | 782 | 78% | 218 | 22% | 156 | 20% | 626 | 80% |
Superior run hat
Superior beanie
Sweatshirts, T-Shirts, Hats and More for Sale:
If you were hoping to, but did not get a chance to purchase something at the race, you can do that on our online store HERE https://www.rocksteadyrunning.com/shop/ – you can use the “filters” on the side of the page to sort and search for specific items.
Rocksteady Community:
The Rocksteady Running Community is an online forum designed for community members to have civil conversations about all things pertaining to Rocksteady Running events (Zumbro, Superior Spring, Afton, Superior Fall, ESTRS), trail / ultrarunning in general, and more. This online forum has been built on our own platform and is not tied to any social media platform. It is free from advertising, invasive algorithms, tracking, etc. We intend for this to be a safe place to connect. Feel free to discuss registering, training for and racing our events. Discussion about the race courses, terrain, training, gear, challenges, triumphs and more are welcomed and encouraged. If you would like to create an account and participate you can do so HERE https://community.rocksteadyrunning.com/login For safety and transparency we ask that you provide both your first and last name when creating an account. My hope is that this forum will be an engaging and useful resource that allows you to connect with one and other.
Sponsors / Partners / Permitors:
Please be sure to check out our awesome sponsors and partners. We have real relationships with all of these businesses / organizations and most of the owners and/or employees are personal friends, they volunteer, captain aid stations, run the races and are part of our local running community. https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/sponsors/
Superior Hiking Trail
Caribou Highlands
Grand Superior Lodge
Visit Cook County
Twin Cities Running Company
Mill City Running
ACG
Vaniply / Vanicream
Fika Coffee
Best Day Brewing
Trail Transformation
Northwoods Running
Performance Running Gym
Consilience Coaching
Climb Above Endurance Coaching
Discover Strength
North Coast Trail Running
Bridge Realty – Bill Pomerenke
State Farm Insurance – Geri Martin
Bigger Than the Trail
LutZen Massage Studios
Full Sun Services
Mile in My Shoes
Northwest Outlet
Captain Ken’s Chili
Relentless Courage – Jon Howard
Austin Jarrow
St. Croix Law
Critical Connections Ecological Services
Thank you to Caribou Highlands Lodge whose staff go above and beyond year in and year to host the race. Thank you Captain Ken’s for providing the post-race chili.
Thank you to Lutsen Mountain Ski Area for the use of their parking lot.
Thank you to Visit Cook County / Cook County Tourism for all of their support.
Thank you to the US Forest Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Lake and Cook County, Local EMS / Search and Rescue and all of the communities, locals and local businesses that support our event.
Of course, a huge thank you to the Superior Hiking Trail Association, its staff, board members, members and volunteers.
RSR x MiMS: a Superior Partnership
Last weekend several runners once again added meaning to their miles and celebrated two accomplishments at the finish line: being a Superior Fall Trail Race finisher AND being a Mile in My Shoes Fundracer. These folks applied and were selected to bypass the lottery as MiMS fundraisers. Want to support Mile in My Shoes? You can still donate to the Rocksteady Running fundraising campaign here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mile-in-my-shoes/2026-rocksteady-running-fundracing-team and look for more information on how you can become a FundRacer in 2026!
A well aged Superior Hiking Trail sign – photo credit Jon Knutson
Support the Superior Hiking Trail:
A large percentage of you are already Superior Hiking Trail Association members. Many of you who are not, indicated at the time you registered, that you would like to be – here is your chance. Now is a great time to show our support en masse that we, as trail runners support the trail that we love to run! You can join, or make an extra donation to the SHT via the following (custom for Superior Trail Race) links… https://superiorhiking.org/joinsuperior/ and https://superiorhiking.org/donatesuperior/ – The Superior Trail Race will continue its charitable legacy to the Superior Hiking Trail Association with a $5,000 donation in 2026, in addition to ongoing volunteer efforts on the trail itself; building, clearing, maintaining and improving. HERE is an example of how we contribute…
In addition to the normal trail clearing and maintenance that we do, the Superior Trail Race does larger volunteer projects on the trail. Superior Trail Race core team, volunteers, and runners came together with Superior Hiking Trail Association Staff and volunteers to build 400′ of new boardwalk outside of the County Road 6 Trailhead this past June. 100 milers will enjoy this new work (and now mud-free stretch) as soon as they leave the aid station, enjoy! https://photos.app.goo.gl/KHEJmSDrN9VbhdTE9
Please Take THIS Lodging Survey:
Our friends at Visit Cook County / Cook County Tourism are huge supporters of the Superior Trail Races. Please help us support them as they are looking for lodging data to help them better serve trail runners on both Superior Trail Race event weekends and throughout the year. Please take a moment to answer the three questions below. Thank You! https://forms.gle/J426Qg2r4QfaQv3Z8
Next Year
The Superior Fall Trail Race is always held the weekend after Labor Day, so that will be Friday September 10 and Saturday September 11, 2027 (pending the approval of our permit applications). The 15 day lottery registration period typically opens on January 1. The website will be updated with complete 2027 registration and event details by late fall / early winter 2026, stay tuned.
In Closing:
I cannot thank you all enough for being part of the Superior family! Thank you for an awesome 2026, we look forward to seeing you next year! As always, if you need anything please reach out.
With Gratitude,
John Storkamp
Race Director
Superior Trail Race
Katka and Andrea at Thursday’s Superior 100 Mile check in at the Lake County 4H building at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Two Harbors MN – both would go on to finish the 100 – photo credit Christine Armbruster
Jeremy Eckert focused before the start of the Superior 100 Mile Trail Race at Gooseberry Falls State Park – photo credit Scott Rokis
Superior 100 Mile Trail Race start at Gooseberry Falls State Park on Friday morning – photo credit Christine Armbruster
Superior 100 Mile Trail Race start at Gooseberry Falls State Park and the last of the pavement for many miles – photo credit Steena Cirves
Jessie Diggings nearing the Silver Bay aid station en route to winning the 2026 Superior 100 Mile Trail Race – photo credit Tone Coughlin
Ten time Superior 100 Mile Trail Race finisher Troy Feustel early in the race – photo credit David Gamache
Matt Long en’route to becoming the first ever person over the age of 67 (70!) to finish the Superior 100 Mile Trail Race – photo credit Scott Rokis
Eric Nordgren in a bit of a technical section of the Superior 100 Mile Trail Race racecourse, made even more challenging by some rain, between Beaver Bay and Silver Bay – photo credit David Markman
Superior 100 Mile Trail Race runner Mel Nelson loaded for bear and snacking on the go, like ya do – photo credit Andy Lohn
Superior 100 Mile Trail Race runners Joseph Altendahl and Aaron Hansen leaving Beaver Bay in the rain – photo credit Jenny Birkinbine
Nait Bliss at ‘the Drainpipe’ on in Tettegouche State Park on the Superior 100 Mile Trail Race racecourse – Photo Credit Scott Rokis
Volunteer Angie Rothstein making sure Superior Trail Race crew, pacers, and spectators are staying safe while walking along the road to the County Road 6 Aid Station – photo credit Mary Luebke
Beautiful skies brought scattered thunderstorms with heavy rain at times on Friday night – photo credit Emily Tidwell
Night falls over the Superior Trail Race and it gets no easier – photo credit Scott Rokis
Volunteers diligently tracking Superior 100 and 50 mile runners coming into the Crosby-Manitou Aid Station on Saturday morning – photo credit Rara Istifadah
Start of the Moose Mountain Marathon on Cramer Road – photo credit Cindy Baron
The Moose Mountain Marathon started under clear skies on Saturday morning – photo credit Tone Coughlin
Five time Moose Mountain Marathon finisher Ann Norton at Temperance River – photo credit Anna Woletz
A 100 miler getting some help caring for his feet – photo credit Pete Hagen
Superior 50 mile runner Nandini Satsangi climbing Moose Mountain – photo credit Emily Tidwell
Superior Fall Trail Race finish line at Caribou Highlands Lodge on Lutsen Mountain on Saturday afternoon – photo credit Tone Coughlin
A group of Moose Mountain Marathoners having fun and finishing together – photo credit Mike Wheeler
First time Superior 100 mile finisher Allison Carolan and her super-crew – photo credit Mike Wheeler
First time Superior 50 mile finisher Brian Bezdichek with nine time 100 mile finisher Jason Husveth and Race Director John Storkamp – photo credit Mike Wheeler
Superior Fall Trail Race finish line stays festive throughout Saturday night as each finisher gets a round of applause – photo credit Scott Rokis
Superior 100 mile finisher Sophia Vetta feeling all of the feelings – photo credit Pete Hagen