Hey All,

Forgive me, this is going to be far less poetic than normal.

Holy shit you guys… four days. We just did a four day event, I think that was a first for all of us. I knew I had missed you, but until we were back together, I did not realize how much. Lets face it, putting on events, it takes pain, it’s hard work… but doing it with you, it is one of my favorite things to do, it’s a paradox like that. It pained me to turn volunteers away this year, but I knew we needed to keep the group as small as possible in order to make it as safe as possible. We ended up with an entire crew of MVP’s – everyone stepping up in such huge ways, many of you putting in tons of work not just during, but before the event as well. Your collective skill, resources and tenacity is what made it possible. I am proud to be a part of such an amazing crew.

You have all done so much for Minnesota trail and ultra running over the years. Going forward this year, there are some of you I am going to specifically call on again – we are all close enough that I know you are comfortable to say no when you need to. I will know more in the coming days, and will be making a public announcement, but I think we will be having the Superior Spring Race over four days, May 20, 21, 22 and 23 – an almost identical format to Zumbro. Hopefully by the time we announce Afton, more people will be vaccinated and the allowable daily attendance numbers will be higher and thus maybe a two day event instead of four, the race would normally be taking place on Saturday July 3 this year. For the Fall Race (Sept 10 & 11) I am hoping we can do the race more or less, as normal (sans communal Vaniply and M&Ms).

Keep your eyes out, about a week and a half and your Z-shirts should be arriving in your mailbox. My 2021 Recap / email to runners went out today as well, if you are interested in reading it, it can be found HERE https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/2021-zumbro-recap/

My abs / stomach hurt from laughing so much over the weekend, it’s been a long time since I laughed that much, that hard… also being challenged by Christine to do a five minute plank may have contributed as well – what can I say, there was money on the line. Again, I missed the hell out of you guys, it was great to be back. I look forward to seeing you all more in 2021. As always, reach out if you need anything. I am grateful for you.

Thank You,

John Storkamp
Race Director
Zumbro Endurance Run
racedirector@zumbro100.com

Zumbro Endurance Run
100MI, 50MI, 17MI Trail Race(s)
Theilman, Minnesota
April 10 & 11, 2020
• 100MI Friday 8:00AM
• 50MI 12:01AM Saturday (Friday Midnight)
• 17MI 9:00AM Saturday

Registration:
Opens Fri Nov 1, 2019 – 12:01AM CST
Closes Fri April 3, 2020 – 11:59PM CST
*Or once the field limit has been met
Complete Registration Details HERE

Directions to Race Start:
Zumbro River Bottoms Management Unit
West Assembly Area
(Near Theilman, MN)
Google Maps Directions HERE
Written Directions HERE
(Approx 1:45 south of Minneapolis, MN)

Terrain:
The course consists of a mix of rugged single and double track trail with rubble, loose rock and sand along with minimum maintenance gravel roads.  The race is primarily concentrated in two large valleys within an expansive hardwood forest.  There are four significant, short, steep climbs (approx 300FT) per loop with small hills in-between along with some significant stretches of flat valley floor running.  Be sure to see maps, elevation charts and stats provided on this website HERE.

100 Mile:
6 x 17 mile loop = 102(ish) miles
Elevation Gain 13,500 FT
Elevation Loss 13,500 FT
NET Elevation Change 27,000 FT
17 Aid Stations
34 hour time limit
Complete 100MI Info HERE

50 Mile:
3 x 17 mile loop = 51(ish) miles
Elevation Gain 6,750 FT
Elevation Loss 6,750 FT
NET Elevation Change 13,500 FT
8 Aid Stations
18 hour time limit
Complete 50MI Info HERE

17 Mile:
17 Mile Loop
Elevation Gain 2,250 FT
Elevation Loss 2,250 FT
NET Elevation Change 4,500 FT
2 Aid Stations
9 hour cutoff
Complete 17MI Info HERE

More About the Area:
The Zumbro Endurance Run 100MI, 50MI and 17MI trail races take place within the Zumbro River Bottoms Management Unit in Southeastern Minnesota’s Bluff Country – just outside of the tiny village of Theilman, MN approximately 1:45 from Minneapolis – St.Paul, MN.  The races start and finish at the West Assembly / Horse Campground Area.  Generally speaking the Zumbro River Bottoms Management Unit lies within a portion of the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest – an expansive 1.7 million acre tract of Minnesota hardwood forest on the Northern edge of the Driftless Region which is mainly characterized by its tall bluffs and deeply carved river valleys. This “bluff country” is rugged, hauntingly beautiful and provides the perfect venue for 100, 50 or 17 miles of trail running.