TRECs Volunteers at Afton 2022 – Photo Credit Cary Johnson

 

After the last volunteers departed Afton this year, I did a ‘once over’ of Afton State Park and Afton Alps, then hopped in my truck to bring the first of a couple trailers back to Hastings. I hit shuffle on one of my Spotify playlists and one of my favorite songs, from one of my favorite albums, from one of my favorites artists came on. “Me and My Friends” from the Uplift Mofo Party Plan album (1987), by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I can still remember buying it on cassette at Northern Lights record and head shop in Burnsville in 1989 or 1990. When that song played on Saturday, I got a huge smile on my face just like I did the day I unwrapped the cellophane and first popped it in my tape deck.

He’s as close to me as a friend can be
I’ll be standin’ by my buddy he’ll be standin’ by me
Just another half of the two headed freak
But I need him like my heart needs to beat

Back then I was ensconced in the skateboarding counterculture. It was something unique that not everyone understood, that only a small fraction of the population did, and that I loved doing with my friends. Me and my friends shared a tight bond around a shared (physical) activity that was on the fringe of everyday society and life, and it was incredible.  Sound familiar?

We get to create the events, the environment and the culture for people to engage in something that is very meaningful and deeply impactful in their lives, and our own. What could be better. I am so grateful to get to do this with you, my friends, Like the song says… I need [ you ] like my heart needs to beat. Thanks for doing this with me.

Sincerely,

John Storkamp
Race Director
Afton Trail Run

Afton Trail Run
50KM & 25KM Trail Races
Afton State Park – Hastings, Minnesota
Saturday July 4, 2020
50KM 6:30AM
25KM 7:30AM

Registration:
Opens Wedneday January 1, 2020 at 12:01AM CST
Closes Friday June 26, 2020 at 11:59PM CST
*Or once the field limit has been met
Complete Registration Details HERE

Directions to Race Start:
Afton State Park
6959 Peller Avenue South
Hastings, MN 55033
Hastings, Minnesota
Google Maps Directions HERE
Approx 25 minutes East of St. Paul, MN and 40 minutes East of Minneapolis, MN

Terrain / Course Description:
The Afton Trail Run consists of a hilly 25K loop (two loops for the 50K), winding through Afton State Park’s trail system. The race is held 100% off road, primarily on very runnable / not very technical single double and single track. There are 7 long climbs per loop, rising from the river valley and down again with a good mix of rolling and flat terrain between the hills.  Be sure to see maps, elevation charts and stats provided on this website HERE.

50KM:
2 x 15.5 mile loops =  31 miles
Elevation Gain 4,670 FT
Elevation Loss 4,670 FT
NET Elevation Change 9,340 FT
11 Aid Stations
9 hour time limit
Complete 50KM Info HERE

25KM:
1 x 15.5 mile loop = 15.5 miles
Elevation Gain 2,335 FT
Elevation Loss 2,335 FT
NET Elevation Change 4,670 FT
5 Aid Stations
8 hour time limit
Complete 25KM Info HERE

More About the Race / Area:
The Afton Trail Run is one of the most challenging and beautiful trail races around.  The race was established in 1994 and is now one of the oldest, largest and most competitive trail races in the country and routinely draws runners from all 50 states and beyond.  The race takes place entirely within the borders of Afton State Park.  Afton State Park lies on a glacial moraine, scribed with deep ravines running down to the St. Croix River.  The 169 mile St. Croix River was one of the original eight United States rivers to have significant portions placed under protection by the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968.  Within the park sandstone outcrops have been exposed in some of the ravines. The vertical drop from the blufftop to the water is 300 feet.  A few patches of remnant prairie survived the decades of farming that took place on the blufftop. Today the former fields are being restored to prairie and oak savanna. The ravines leading down to the riverbank are thickly wooded with oak, aspen, birch, and cherry.