The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the smallest falcon in the Americas. It is designated as a species of Special Concern in Minnesota. This status is given to extremely uncommon birds or those with highly specific habitat needs that require careful monitoring to prevent them from becoming threatened or endangered. Afton State Park has a permanently installed Kestrel nesting box just outside of Aid Station 5 (mile 12.5 and 28) that Kestrels return to annually to hatch and raise their chicks. During this period, the trail that passes by their nesting box is closed. Most years the chicks fledge (the stage in a bird’s life between hatching and becoming capable of flight) before the Afton Trail Run. Some years they get a late start, and if they are not far enough along, this trail will remain closed. When it does, we will use the reroute shown. There is an extremely nominal change in distance (adds about 250ft for 25K runners, 500ft for 50K runners). The revised race route will be clearly marked. After departing Aid Station 5, runners will stay on the gravel road a little longer than normal, and instead of getting onto the normal wide grass trail, will take a left onto the paved bike path, following it for about 900 feet (2.5 American football field lengths) prior to getting onto the Deer Valley / Snowshoe Loop as normal.
