Greetings Runners!
Registration closed last night at midnight and we are one week out from the 2026 Zumbro Endurance Run. 130+ volunteers are coming together to put on this year’s race. We are thrilled to be hosting 637 runners from 2 countries, 16 states, and 179 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 we need you to come in through Theilman per THIS https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/getting-to-zumbro/
Trail Conditions:
With many warm windy days the trails had been drying out and were in great shape leading into this current period of wet weather. We are anticipating that there will be some wet spots and some mud come race day, but don’t anticipate any deep water crossings at this time. As always come prepared for anything and everything!
Bib Number Assignments:
Bib number assignments have been made and are available on our website HERE https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/2026-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/2026-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.
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/azp/ctlive/event/91419 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.
T-Shirts!
All runners and volunteers will receive this awesome t-shirt as the event giveaway https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/2026-race-shirts/
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, Sparkling Water and Best Day Brewing Non-Alcoholic Beer), 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. 42 LBS of some of the best single-origin specialty coffee you have ever had have been procured for event weekend.
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.
Donate Your Gently Used Trail Running Gear:
We accept lightly used trail running shoes, technical clothing, and gear (packs, vests, headlamps, watches, etc.) that you no longer want or use, at Rocksteady Running Races. Items will be donated to Mile in My Shoes and made available to Resident Members who are getting into trail running! Mile in My Shoes is an official Zumbro Endurance Run / Rocksteady Running charity partner. You can learn more about MiMS HERE https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/mile-in-my-shoes/ and HERE https://www.mileinmyshoes.mn/
Sponsors & Partners:
Welcoming ACG!
We are incredibly excited to introduce ACG (All Conditions Gear) the historic Nike outdoor and trail focused brand as a sponsor of the Zumbro Endurance Run and all Rocksteady Running races! Our local Nike/ACG reps are fervent runners themselves and are no stranger to our events and our local trail community. We could not be any happier to have them on board! Look for ACG as they team up with Twin Cities Running Company at Aid Station 2 / Central this year, and at our other races throughout the season. As always, if you need running gear please support our local independently owned running store sponsors, and while you are there, be sure give ACG a look!
Welcoming Best Day Brewing!
One of the owners of California based Best Day Brewing participated in a Rocksteady Running race and were impressed with the experience. In short order they reached out to see how they could get involved and support us and our trail community. We are so stoked to announce that Best Day Brewing will be providing us with the best non-alcoholic beer (and we would argue one of the best beers period) at the finish line of Zumbro, and all of our races in 2026!
As always, a huge thank you to ALL OF OUR SPONSORS and partners, new and old. Please take a moment to check them out https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/sponsors/
Twin Cities Running Company
ACG
Vanicream
Steve Smillie Edina Realty
Best Day Brewing
Northwoods Running
State Farm Insurance Geri Martin
Trail Transformation
Performance Running Gym
Consilience Coaching
Climb Above Endurance Coaching
Mile in My Shoes
St. Croix Law
Critical Connections Ecological Services
That is all I have for you today, 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]