Greetings Runners,
We are just over one week out from the 36th Annual Superior Fall Trail Race. Over 400 volunteers are coming together to put on this year’s race. We are thrilled to have 999 registered runners coming from 5 countries, 39 states and 175 Minnesota cities – thank you all for joining us!
Below are some important reminders and a few updates:
If You Can No Longer Run:
If you are no longer running there is no need to contact us. We will know you are not starting the race when you do not pick up your race number.
Do Your Reading:
NOW is the time to review all of the information on the event website again, so you are as prepared as possible come race day. We cannot stress enough how important it is to review the information associated with the distance you are running along with taking the time to review other important sections of the website.
100 Mile Info: https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/100-mile-info/
50 Mile Info: https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/50-mile-info/
26.2 Mile Info: https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/26-mile-info/
Maps / Data: https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/maps-and-data/
VERY IMPORTANT – RE; CREW, PACERS, FAMILY AND SPECTATORS:
If you have crew, pacers, family or spectators joining you they need to review THIS https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/crew-pacer-family-member-spectators-information/ page and associated links in their entirety, please make sure you forward this information to them. Runners, you are responsible for your pacers, crews and spectators.
VERY IMPORTANT – RE; CREWS AND SPECTATORS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT SPLIT ROCK WAYSIDE / AID STATION:
Of our 13 aid stations, 3(+) are no crew access; Split Rock, Tettegouche and Sonju Lake Road (and only 100 mile crew / spectators are allowed at Temperance). We want to remind you that crew and spectators may not go to Split Rock. The only people associated with the race that should be at Split Rock are those that are volunteering at Split Rock Aid Station or are Split Rock Wayside Course Marshals
VERY IMPORTANT – CAMPING OR SLEEPING IN YOUR VEHICLE IN THE LUTSEN PARKING LOT IS NOT ALLOWED:
Lutsen Mountain graciously allows racers to park in their large surface gravel parking lot, across Ski Hill Road from Caribou Highlands Lodge for both the Spring and Fall races. They have asked us to pass a note to race participants that camping or sleeping in your car, van, truck, etc. is not permitted in their parking lot or anywhere on their property. Failure to comply with this could negatively impact the race. If you need somewhere to camp the night before or after the race we cover many options on the race info pages.
Trail Conditions:
It has been very dry this summer and the trails are in great shape. While the trail was completely cleared of trees this spring, they continue to fall over the summer. We cleared the ones we had time to get to. Any that remain should not be tough to get over or around. SHTs contractor that weed whips should be finishing up all race course sections just before the race. It is brushy in areas, our marking crew will try to trim as many face slappers as they can on the day they mark trails.
Racecourse Updates:
If for some reason you missed it, our 3 week out email covered some racecourse updates. https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/superior-fall-trail-race-2026-three-weeks-to-go/
Bib Number Assignments:
Bib number assignments have been made and are available on our website HERE https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/2026-bib-assignments/ – Be sure to use the ‘search’ function to find your name as the list is not entirely alphabetical. Those using drop-bags should mark them with the aid station location, name and bib number.
Bib Number Pickup and Drop Bag Drop-off:
Bib number pickup and drop bag drop-off for each distance is just that – there will be no meeting or program. We will be there if you have any last minute questions. We only accept drop bags the night before each race, never on race morning. While we prefer to get as many people checked in the night before as possible, if you do not have drop bags to drop, you may check in at the race start on race morning.
Drop Bags Return:
Once aid stations close, drop bags will be delivered to the finish line, but most will not be available until after 8:30PM Saturday night. Drop bags will remain outside, unattended and unmonitored near the finish line until approximately 9:00AM on Sunday. Unclaimed drop bags will not be mailed to you and will be donated to charity.
Cupless Race:
A reminder that we are a cupless race, so carry your own water bottle, hydration bladder or cup. We will have hot cups used for soup and other hot food items.
Aid Station Food & Special Nutrition Items:
Here is a post about what we will (and will not) have for food and drink at the aid stations. https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/2026-aid-station-snacks-food-and-drink/
Course Markings:
If you studied the specific info page (linked above) for the distance you are running, you will have come across it, but if for some reason you missed, HERE https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/trail-markings/ is a comprehensive guide about the trail / race course / course markings.
Runner Tracking / Results
Links to results and 100 mile runner tracking can be found on our website. Live tracking is done for the 100 mile race only and is for entertainment purposes – there is no guarantee that it will always be updated or 100% accurate. The link to 100 mile runner tracking can be found HERE https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/100-mile-runner-tracking/ – The direct link to results can be found HERE https://sites.chronotrack.com/event/91424/results
Medals / Buckles / Stick Around:
All 100 mile runners will be handed / awarded a medal and a buckle as they finish the race – 100 mile finisher sweatshirts and patches will be available for pickup under the party tent, you or your crew need to seek these out on your own. All 50 mile and marathon runners will be awarded a medal. We started doing new medals in 2021, a scaled back design sans year / date with space to write it in or add other info helps us to cut down on waste (no more throwing out / burning dated medals). There are no specific overall or age group awards. Please stick around at the finish line with us until the very last runner comes through as we celebrate each runners accomplishment!
Coffee:
We are super excited to once again be serving coffee from our fantastic sponsor Fika Coffee throughout the event. Fika is a local coffee shop, located in downtown Lutsen off of Highway 61. https://fikacoffee.com/
Post Race Meal:
A huge thank you to Caribou Highlands / Moguls Grill and Taproom for dong a wonderful job catering Chili donated by Captain Ken’s for this event! We will have meat and vegetarian chili for participants after they finish the race. For crew, pacers, family members or runners that needs something more, Caribou Highlands / Moguls will be doing a cookout, selling burgers and other items right near the finish line as well.
T-Shirts:
We love this years t-shirts, we hope you do too! All registered runners and volunteers will receive one of these t-shirts. https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/2026-race-shirt/ We will also have some hoodies for sale with the same design.
Swag for Sale:
We will have some t-shirts, hats, posters, stickers, sweatshirts and more for sale. Cash, check, PayPal and Venmo available. Back by popular demand are these handy distance bracelets, they will be available for purchase at check-in.
Mile In My Shoes:
Mile in My Shoes is our charity partner. You can either become a fundracer (for any of our races) or donate to your fellow runners who are fundracing.
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. 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/ – if / when you donate consider dropping a line to the SHT telling them how much you value the race and the trail. The Superior Trail Race will continue its charitable legacy to the Superior Hiking Trail Association with a $5,000 donation (or more) in 2026, in addition to ongoing volunteer efforts on the trail itself; building, clearing, maintaining and improving.
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
Sponsors:
Please click the following link to check out all our awesome sponsors https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/sponsors/ – several of which are heading up aid stations! (TRECs, Performance Running Gym, Trail Transformation, North Coast Running, Mill City Running, and Twin Cities Running Company).
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
We cannot thank you enough for taking part in the Superior Trail Race and look forward to seeing you soon! If you have any questions, please reach out.
In Community,
John Storkamp
Race Director
[email protected]