Greetings Runners!
Registration closed last night at midnight and we are one week out from the 2023 Zumbro Endurance Run. 115+ volunteers are coming together to put on this year’s race. We are thrilled to be hosting 557 runners from 18 states and 162 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:
Most of the gravel and minimum maintenance roads in the area are in decent shape, that said there is one hill leading into the West Assembly / Start-Finish that is in very poor shape. This hill should be avoided by making sure you come in through Theilman per THIS https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/getting-to-zumbro/
Trail Conditions:
Be prepared for very challenging conditions including a mix of some dry trail, mud, snow (possibly deep in places), ice (possibly significant stretches of) and standing water… you know, Zumbro.
Bib Number Assignments:
Bib number assignments have been made and are available on our website HERE https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/2023-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 Aid Stations, 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 HAM Radio / Communications volunteer here however. Aid Station 2 is 13.5 miles into each loop and it is a full 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/2023-aid-station-snacks-food-and-drink/
Course Maps / Diagrams:
The Zumbro Endurance Run race course is well marked, that said, you need to review the three maps / diagrams on THIS page https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/maps-and-data/ – they outline; a.) the overall 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.
Some Context About the Trails at Zumbro Bottoms:
I would like to provide you with some context about the trails at Zumbro Bottoms because we (Rocksteady Running) care so much about and spend so much time working on trails. The trails at Zumbro are probably unlike anything you have ever experienced. Many are deeply eroded, rutted, troughed, muddy and sandy. The majority of the trails here started as old jeep and logging roads. Many got put in without a lot of pre-planning. Many of these trails still get used for logging / by heavy machinery. The majority of the recreation / trail use at Zumbro is Horseback Riding, and the soils are sandy. There is a lot of deferred maintenance at Zumbro that the DNR and the Zumbro Bottoms Coalition, which consists of all user groups / types and of which we are part, are working to address. We started on a significant rehab project with the horse groups above Ant Hill last Summer. You should enjoy the trails at Zumbro in all of their gore and glory while knowing that there is a group of us meeting, planning and working to make additional repairs in the coming years.
Shelter:
It is important to note that there is no “indoors” / basically no infrastructure at Zumbro. If we have cold, rainy or snowy weather, the three ways of staying warm are through fueling well, movement, clothing or your vehicle.
Results:
Results will be published HERE https://www.athlinks.com/event/59010/results/Event/1046965/Results and on our website, but remember there is no cell at Zumbro bottoms, we will also try to print and post results a few times throughout the day on Saturday.
Beanies!
A little fortuitous given the lingering cold weather we have had… this year’s giveaway is THIS handsome beanie! https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/2023-race-beanie/ – All registered runners and volunteers will receive one, and we have purchased extra which we will be selling at the race (and on our website after the race) if you would like to purchase additional for friends or family members.
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. 35 LBS of some of the best coffee you have ever had have been procured, I hope we got enough!
Swag for Sale:
We will have some t-shirts, hats, posters, stickers, sweatshirts and more for sale. 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. All of the owners and/or employees are personal friends. Kurt Decker from Twin Cities Running Company will be heading up Aid Station 2 / Central Assembly for us as he has for many many years, most of our other sponsors have folks volunteering or running as well. Look for Salomon at the start / finish area on Saturday!
Twin Cities Running Company
Salomon
Vanicream
Steve Smillie Edina Realty
Bell Bank
Northwoods Running
Trail Transformation
Performance Running Gym
Mile in My Shoes
St. Croix Law
Critical Connections Ecological Services
OK, that is all I have for you. If you have any questions, shoot me an email. I can’t wait to see you all at Zumbro!
Thank You,
John Storkamp
Race Director
[email protected]