Race Info

Minnesota Voyageur Trail 50 Mile Run


Welcome to the 30th annual Minnesota Voyageur Trail Ultra! The start, finish, and all race day festivities will be at the Carlton High School. Weather for Voyageur can be extreme. We’ve had several years when it was hot and humid, including 2003 when it was brutally hot with 90% humidity. Runners spent a lot of time lounging in the creeks along the Grand Portage and Gill Creek trails to stay cool. 2001 was cool, in the mid-50’s, and wet. Last year we had relatively cool weather, but rainfall during the race caused the powerlines to be a sloppy, slippery mess. You must plan for everything except snow, (at least not so far!!).


Race Details and Reminders:

Drop Bags:
Your drop bags must have your name, race number and specific drop station location. Unmarked drop bags will not be delivered to aid station locations.

Trail Markings:
  • Follow the hot pink ribbons — if you don’t see one in 200-300 yards you are off course!! Use care while on the bike path and roads. Watch footing on the bridges, they can be slippery, some may have boards missing. Watch for washouts (both runner and drivers). There are “horse holes” in the Magney section between aid stations #7 and #8.


Crew Reminder:
  • Do not park on Becks Road — There was an accident due to congestion a couple of years ago.


Schedule:
Friday, July 29th
  • 4:00p.m.-7:00p.m. Race packet pick-up at the Cozy Cafe (214 Chestnut Ave, Carlton, MN). The Cozy Cafe is again offering reasonably priced spaghetti along with their regular menu items at packet pick-up.
Saturday, July 30th
  • 5:30 a.m. Pancake breakfast in Carlton at the VFW (coupons at packet pick-up)
  • 6:00 a.m.-6:45 a.m. Check in for runners and packet pick-up for runners at Carlton High School
  • All runners are required to check-in at this time with the official time keeper.
  • 7:00 a.m. Race starts promptly to insure accurate splits.
  • 1:40 p.m. Front runner close to finish. Showers at school open.
(Be sure to bring own soap and towels).
  • 4:30 p.m. Post race gathering at the High School (see map)
  • 5:30 p.m. Dinner served, volunteers and runners free.
  • A $5 charge for “extra eaters” can be paid at the door.
  • Awards will be given out as racers finish. We will however acknowledge the runners at the post dinner. Please join us for dinner. The lasagna is really good – meat or vegetarian!
  • Please check in race day morning with registration people
  • Please leave garbage at aid stations, especially gel packets
  • Our volunteers are hard working and cheerful. Give them a thank you as you go by.
  • We’re looking forward to great race this year. For more race information you can visit our website at http://voyageurtrailrun.blogspot.com or email at adventurerunning@gmail.com

Course Brief for Runners

1st Section (3.4 miles) - Start at Carlton High School. A little street running, onto the paved Munger State Trail and then on to Jay Cooke State Park Carlton Trail…narrow, rocky, rooty—don’t hurry yet—it’s early—swinging bridge ahead

2nd Section (1.8 miles) - Jay Cook State Park White Pine Trail…hilly, grassy ski trails, but wider—now’s your chance to pass. In the morning, your feet will get wet here from the dew.

3rd Section (3.3 miles) - Greeley Creek to Gill Creek Trails…short jaunt on paved bike trail, then in and out of gullies on narrow slanted trails…watch for sharp turns. Fast, fun singletrack running!

4th Section (2.1 miles) - still in Jay Cooke State Park…more gullies, sharp turns and creeks

5th Section (2.9 miles) - the dreaded “Power Lines”…only 350 feet of climb, but over and over again…very little shelter in this section…it can get HOT. Right off powerlines onto some rolling, rough hewn singletrack through the woods then right onto paved bike trail

6th Section (2.0 miles) - follows Mission Creek down to Fond du Lac. Mostly downhill to aid station.

7th Section (3.1 miles) cross Mission Creek and climb back up to cross over the bike trail. Rolling singletrack for a bit then down and back up to cross Beck's Road

8th Section (3.1 miles) - Skyline Drive gravel road for about a mile (mostly uphill), then into the “mucky” horse trails of Duluth’s Magney-Snively cross country ski trails…don’t lose your shoes!

9th Section (3.3 miles) - more gravel road, then across Spirit Mountain ski slopes and DOWN to the Zoo, then turn around and do it in reverse.

Keep in mind, after second trip through the power lines, the next 2 miles is a gradual climb. A lot of people seem to have problems in this stretch. In 1988 it was in the mid 50’s and raining; in 1995 it was in the mid-90’s with clear skies. Be aware of the weather and run accordingly!!

AID STATIONS are normally well stocked, but don’t count on them to provide you with everything you might need. There are three drop bag stations-use them. Place your clearly marked, (name, number, and specific aid station) self-supplied bags/containers by the appropriate sign at the start and we will deliver them to that aid station. They will be returned to the finish after that aid station closes. Cut-off times are strictly enforced. You must reach the turnaround in 6 hours. Sweeps will be taking down the course behind the last official runner. Anyone refusing to vacate the course will be disqualified!

Start is at 7:00 am sharp—accurate timing depends on this.

Course Guide for Spectators and Crew

#1 To reach Aid Station #1 take Hwy. 210 to Jay Cooke State Park Headquarters. Runners cross parking lot and highway – Be Careful! Day parking stickers should be bought here for Aid Station 1, 2, and 4. The park people have been very cooperative in cutting trail for us—support them.

#2 Continue down Hwy. 210 and turn left on Jay Cooke Road. Aid Station #2 is on the side of the road in the pines. Runners will again be crossing the road.

#3 Continue on Jay Cooke to Palkie Road and turn right. Continue through “Dead End” (.7 miles on Palkie). There is a right hand turn into a small parking area. Don’t drive across Bike Trail! You must walk a short way in to Aid Station #3.

#4 Back track from Aid Station #3 to hwy. 210, turn left and follow 210 for 2.7 miles to Aid Station #4.

Both #5 and #7 are off Beck’s Road. (See below)

#6 to get to Aid Station #6 continue down Hwy. 210 and Hwy. 23 and turn left. Turn left again at 131st Street go to end and through park gate and follow narrow road to Aid Station #6.

#5 & #7 Return to Hwy. 23 and turn left toward Duluth. Take Gary Street left to Becks Road. Aid Station #7 is on the right in three miles. Runners will again cross the road here. Aid Station #5 is a two block walk in on left about half a mile further up on Becks Road from Aid Station #7.

#8 Take Skyline Parkway 4 miles east from Aid Station #7 to Aid Station #8. runners use part of Skyline—Be Careful and take it SLOW when passing runners!

#9 Follow Skyline to I-35 north, take Cody St. exit to N 63rd Ave. W. and turn right. Turn right again on Grand Ave (Hwy. 23) in ½ mile. Turn right off Grand onto Waseca and park at barricade. Walk up to Aid Station #9, above the Lake Superior Zoo parking lot.

Turn around and back track to finish line.

Aid Stations:

#
Miles
Station Name
1st Runner
Station Hours
Cut Off
Drop Bags
1
3.4
Jay Cooke
7:20a.m.
7:00-8:20
N/A
No
2
5.2
Forbays Lake
7:35a.m.
7:30-8:30
N/A
No
3
8.5
Petersons
7:55a.m.
7:45-9:10
N/A
Yes
4
10.6
Grand Portage
8:15a.m.
8:00-9:40
N/A
No
5
13.5
Seven Bridges
8:35a.m.
8:15-10:20
N/A
No
6
15.5
Fond du lac
8:50a.m.
8:30-3:30
N/A
Yes
7
18.6
Beck's Road
9:10a.m.
9:00-2:50
N/A
No
8
21.7
Skyline Parkway
9:30a.m.
9:15-2:00
N/A
No
9
25
Turnaround Zoo
9:55a.m.
9:45-1:00
1:00 p.m.
Yes
8
28.3
Skyline Parkway
10:20a.m.
9:15-2:00
2:00 p.m.
No
7
31.4
Beck's Road
10:45a.m.
9:00-2:50
2:50 p.m.
No
6
34.5
Fond du lac
11:10a.m.
8:30-3:30
3:30 p.m.
Yes
5
36.5
Seven Bridges
11:30a.m.
11:15-4:10
4:10 p.m.
No
4
39.4
Grand Portage
12:05p.m.
12:00-5:05
5:05 p.m.
No
3
41.5
Petersons
12:25p.m.
12:15-5:45
5:45 p.m.
Yes
2
44.8
Forbays Lake
12:50p.m.
12:45-6:45
6:45 p.m.
No
1
46.6
Jay Cooke
1:10p.m.
1:00-7:15
7:15 p.m.
No
Finish
50
Carlton High School
1:40p.m.
1:30-8:00
8:00 p.m.




Directions to Race Start:
From the South:

Take exit 235 for MN-210 toward Cromwell/Carlton.

Turn right at MN-210 E/State Hwy 61 and continue to follow MN-210 E 2.4 miles into Carlton.

Turn left at 3rd St.

Take the 1st right onto Walnut Ave.

From the North:

Take exit 239 for Cloquet/Scanlon.

Turn left at MN-45 toward Carlton for 2.4 miles.

Turn left at Walnut Ave


RACE RULES AND PROCEDURES:
The Minnesota Voyageur Trail 50 race rules and procedures are designed for the safety and well-being of everyone involved in the race including runners, crews, volunteers and spectators.  Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification of the runner.

1.  Runner responsibilities – The runner is responsible for knowing all the rules
2.  No unauthorized aid caches or drops – No one is allowed to cache, drop or store supplies on the race course before or during the run.  Runners are not allowed aid between checkpoints.
3.  No course cutting - Runners must follow the marked course at all times.  If the runner departs from the marked course, the runner must return to the point of departure on foot before continuing. Please do not cut switchbacks on the course.  Switchbacks are designed to ensure the sustainability of the trail.  Doing nothing to risk the sustainability of the trail we are using will ensure that we will be able to use it for future races.
4.  Checking in/Checking out – It is the runner’s responsibility to properly check-in and check-out of each checkpoint.  Race numbers must be clearly visible.
5.  Cutoff times – Cutoff times will be enforced at the turnaround and at each aid station thereafter by the aid station captain.  Their decisions are final, no exceptions. Please refer to the aid station chart for cut-off times.
6.  Road crossings – The main concern is the safe movement of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.  There are not that many busy road intersections on the course, but do not be complacent and forget to look both ways before crossing.  Vehicles have the right-of-way at all times.  We will have run officials at the busiest crossings, especially early in the race when runners are grouped together.  The runner is a pedestrian and must obey all directions of the race official and all laws pertaining to road pedestrian crossings.
7.  If you decide to drop out of the race – If any runner is unable to complete the run, the runner must notify the aid station captain and surrender their race number.  Upon surrendering their race number, the runner is officially out of the race.  If a runner leaves the race and does not show up at the next checkpoint within a reasonable time, run officials will assume the runner is lost and notify authorities.  This situation will cost the race time, money, hardship and credibility.  It may also threaten the race’s ability to acquire necessary permits for future races.  Please be sure to notify race officials if you plan to drop out of the race.  Leaving a race without informing the aid station captain is grounds for disqaulification and restriction of entry in future races.
8.  If you get lost or injured – If you get lost or injured, stay on the trail and wait.  Inform another runner that you are injured and ask that they notify race officials at the next checkpoint.
9.  Do not litter – Either carry your trash or leave it at the aid stations.  We are operating under permits from the City of Duluth and the State of Minnesota and litter could threaten the acquisition of permits in the future.  Littering along the trail will be cause for disqualification.
10.  Passing other runners and trail users – All runners will meet other runners coming toward them on the trail.  Please be considerate of runners coming your way on the narrow trail.  Runners going uphill please step off the trail for runners coming downhill.  In most cases the runners going downhill will be going faster and concentrating on their footing.  It’s easier for the uphill runner to step off the trail.
11.  Relieving yourself -  O.k., this is gross, but it should be mentioned.  Solid human waste should be buried (find a stout stick and dig a quick hole with it) well off the trail and away from water.  Liquid waste should not be deposited on the trail itself or near water.  You should be at least 100 feet from any water source when relieving yourself.  A non-entrant in the race should not see you relieve yourself.
12. Have Fun!
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)