Course Information
Course Brief for Runners
1st Sect. (3.4 miles) Jay Cooke State Park Carlton Trail…narrow, rocky, rooty—don’t hurry yet—it’s early—swinging bridge ahead
2nd Sect. (1.8 miles) Jay Cook State Park White Pine Trail…hilly, but wider—now’s your chance to pass
3rd Sect. (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
4th Sect (2.1 miles) still in Jay Cooke State Park…more gullies, sharp turn and creeks
5th Sect (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 onto paved bike trail
6th Sect. (2.0 miles) follows Mission Creek down to Fond du Lac
7th Sect. (3.1 miles) cross Mission Creek and climb back up to cross over the bike trail
8th Sect. (3.1 miles) Skyline Drive gravel road for about a mile, then into the “mucky” horse trails of Duluth’s Magney-Snively cross country ski trails…don’t lose your shoes!
9th Sect. (3.3 miles) more gravel road, then across Spirit Mountain ski slopes and on to 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 after that behind that 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 behind the building. 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 in to Aid Station #3.
#4 Back track 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 76part of Skyline—Be Careful!
#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.