Greetings Runners!
Registration closed last night at midnight and we are one week out from the 2024 Zumbro Endurance Run. 140+ volunteers are coming together to put on this year’s race. We are thrilled to be hosting 669 runners from 19 states and 186 Minnesota cities. This email is long, but it is very important that you review it in its entirety.
NOW is also the time to review all of the information on the website again, so you are as prepared as possible come race day. I cannot stress enough how important it is to review the information associated with the distance you are running (links below) along with driving directions and course maps.
100 Mile Info: https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/100-mile-info/
50 Mile Info: https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/50-mile-info/
34 Mile Info: https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/34-mile-info/
17 Mile Info: https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/17-mile-info/
Below are some IMPORTANT reminders and a few updates:
If You Can No Longer Run:
If you are no longer running the race, there is no need to contact us to let us know – we will know you are not starting when you do not pick up your race number.
Getting to the race, VERY IMPORTANT:
If the roads are snow, ice and frost free on race weekend, you can follow Google Maps to the race, whichever way it takes you. If there is snow, ice or frost you must come in through Theilman per THIS https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/getting-to-zumbro/
Trail Conditions:
All of the snow is gone, but the recent precipitation has created some muddy spots. As of today there is no standing water / water crossings, but a couple days of heavy rain can change this. As always, its Zumbro, come prepared for anything.
Bib Number Assignments:
Bib number assignments have been made and are available on our website HERE https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/2024-bib-assignments/ – Be sure to use the ‘search’ function to find your name as the list is not entirely alphabetical. Those 100, 50 and 34 milers leaving drop-bags at the start / finish area need to mark them with your name and bib number.
Aid Stations, Unstaffed Water Stop, Cupless Race:
A reminder about the course layout and aid stations. Aid Station 1 is 5 miles into each loop and it is unstaffed / water-only – you may see a communications volunteer here some of the time however. Aid Station 2 is 13.5 miles into each loop and it is a fully staffed and stocked aid station. For those in the 34, 50 and 100, Aid Station 3 is 17 miles into each loop., at the start / finish area. Remember we are a cupless race, so carry your own water bottle, hydration bladder or cup.
Aid Station Food, Drink & 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.zumbroendurancerun.com/2024-aid-station-snacks-food-and-drink/
Course Maps / Diagrams:
The Zumbro Endurance Run race course is well marked, that said, you should review the maps / diagrams on THIS page https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/maps-and-data/ – they outline; a.) the race course, b.) what to do at the bridge / Zumbro River crossing, and c.) what to do when you get to the finish or aid station 3 for those that are in the multi-loop races.
A Little Different Look:
Recently the DNR started closing off some trails that they no longer want used. They are using orange snow-fencing to do this. Please note that this fencing has nothing to do with the race. As always the race route will clearly be marked with our orange and reflective ribbon marking flags on wire stakes. We do not block off trails that we do not want you to go down – it is up to you to follow the marked race course.
Shelter:
It is important to note that there is no “indoors” / no infrastructure at Zumbro. If we have cold, rainy or snowy weather, the four ways of staying warm are through fueling well, movement, clothing or your vehicle.
Results & Splits:
Final results and 17 mile loop split times will be published HERE https://www.athlinks.com/event/59010/results/Event/1077115/Results and on our website as soon as runners come through each 17 mile loop, or cross the finish line. Disclaimer; this is as long as we can maintain 4g / wifi connectivity – as a reminder there is no 4g / wifi / cell at Zumbro Bottoms, but we use a bunch of special equipment to get just enough signal in order publish live splits and results.
Hats!
All runners and volunteers will receive this awesome, super breathable, quick drying, crushable, run hat! We produced extras of these; so if friends, family, crew or pacers would like one, they may purchase one on race weekend. https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/2024-race-hat/
Medals & Buckles:
All Zumbro finishers will be awarded a medal when they finish. 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 and creating waste). https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/new-zumbro-finishers-medals-2021-and-beyond/ – all 100 mile finishers will receive a buckle https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/zumbro-100-mile-finisher-belt-buckle/
Post Race Food and Refreshments:
Post race we will be providing complimentary canned beverages (Coke, Ginger Ale and Sparkling Water), fresh made Neapolitan style pizza, and cookies. Beverages and pizza are free for runners. Crew, pacers, family and spectators may also enjoy for a cash donation.
Coffee:
We are super excited to be serving Backstory Coffee (a St. Paul MN roaster) at Zumbro again this year. 40 LBS of some of the best coffee you have ever had have been procured for event weekend.
Wood Print Course Map and Elevation Charts Pre-Order:
For all of our races this year we are producing THESE incredibly cool course maps and elevation charts. We are taking the first 75 pre-orders to come in for production prior to, and ready for pickup at Zumbro next weekend. You can see photos, get more info and place your order HERE https://forms.gle/gAu8WDN1tp8vs3ix8
Swag for Sale:
We will have some t-shirts, hats, posters, stickers, sweatshirts and more for sale at the race. We can accept cash or check only at Zumbro since there is no cell or internet at the start / finish area to process payment cards.
Sponsors & Partners:
Please be sure to check out our awesome sponsors and partners. Most of our sponsors have folks volunteering or running on race weekend.
Twin Cities Running Company
Vanicream
Steve Smillie Edina Realty
Bell Bank
Northwoods Running
Trail Transformation
Performance Running Gym
Consilience Coaching
Mile in My Shoes
St. Croix Law
Critical Connections Ecological Services
That is all I have for you toady, thank you for your time. If you have any questions, shoot me an email. We can’t wait to see you all at Zumbro!
Thank You,
John Storkamp
Race Director
[email protected]