Zumbro 100 Mile Crew / Spectator Access to Aid Stations

Mar 27, 2018 | Race Updates

Greetings 100 Mile Runners!

First and foremost I would like to welcome you to the 2018 Zumbro Endurance Run! We have a record field registered for the 100 mile (122 as of 3/27/18) and know that you are all getting excited to kick off your race season with us at Zumbro! We will be getting another email out to all racers about a week before the race but this email is specific regarding 100 mile crew and spectator access to Aid Stations 1/4 and 2/3.

Due to a hard and persistent Winter, runoff / erosion and general wear and tear, the Minimum Maintenance road leading to Aid Station 1/4 (Bridge) and Aid Station 2/3 (Sand Coulee) is in poor condition and as a result we will not be allowing any (vehicular) crew / spectator access to these aid stations. Due to the condition of and congestion on these narrow roads we never allow access for those associated with the 50 mile or 17 mile but historically have for the 100 mile. We have had other years in the past where we have restricted all vehicular crew / spectator access to Aid Station 1/4 and 2/3.

If your crew / spectators wish to see you at these aid stations they may hike to see you – we will mark some shortcuts (for crew members only – not runners) who wish to make this hike – it is about a 1 mile hike from the start / finish area to Aid Station 1/4 (with one significant hill) and then another approx 1 mile hike from 1/4 to 2/3 (which never was drive-able). Crew, family and spectators need to be sure to dress appropriately for hiking on sloppy trails, have headlamps for night-time navigation and be sure to give the right of way to the runners when they are on the trail. As always, crew should be sure to study and print pertinent information off of the race website.

Again this year we will have a van / shuttle running back and forth between the start / finish area and aid station 1/4 running supplies etc. so your crews will have the option hop on and get a ride. It is however important to note that this shuttle is not running on a regular schedule and your crews / spectators should not rely on it if they need to be somewhere on a strict schedule or specific time and there may be some gaps in coverage as well when the driver(s) need to take some rest, run to town for fuel etc.

If you are a runner who was planning to rely on crew exclusively we would strongly encourage you to pack drop bags for aid stations 1/4 and 2/3 (in case your crew cannot always meet you due to these changes) and rest assured that our aid stations are really well staffed and stocked. Bib number assignments have been made so you can mark your drop bags with your name, bib number and aid station location for specific bags. https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/2018-bib-assignments/

We thank you for your understanding, this decision was made for the safety of race crew, family members and friends of the runners and to save your vehicles and the road from damage. We suggest that those who have crew and spectators forward this email on to your people. As always, now is a great time for you to start studying up on the website so you are fully informed regarding all aspects of the race.

Should you have any questions please feel free to reply to this email.

Thank You,

John Storkamp
Race Director
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.