Welcome Runners to the 24th Annual Afton Trail Run!
We are going to keep this email short since everything you need to know is already on our website (which you should review in its entirety) but below you will find a few quick updates and reminders. You can also checkout our Facebook page for some entertainment leading up to, during and after the race https://www.facebook.com/aftontrailrun
Date, Location, Packet Pickup and Race Start:
Saturday July 2nd, 2016 – Afton State Park, MN
6959 Peller Ave S, Hastings, MN 55033 – Directions HERE
50KM Race Start 6:30AM (Packet Pickup from 5:00AM to 6:00AM)
25KM Race Start 7:30AM (Packet Pickup from 6:00AM to 7:00 AM)
*Please know your bib number at packet pickup – see below.
VERY IMPORTANT PARKING CHANGES FROM YEARS PAST – SEE MAP HERE
*Be sure to allow for plenty of extra time to park and walk to the start of the race!
There will no longer be parking allowed on the side of the road within Afton State Park. Parking must be in designated spaces only. Additionally, a block of spaces within the park will be saved for non-race-related park users. Parking within Afton State Park will be on a “first come, first serve” basis. Once all of the parking spots allotted for the trail run within Afton State Park have been taken, racers will be directed by a flagger to enter Afton Alps Ski Area via Peller Ave South. You will follow signage to park in the Afton Alps Meadow Chalet parking lot which is at the very end of the road. After you park, additional signage will direct you to walk 1/3 of a mile up to Packet Pickup and the Start / Finish Area. Google Maps Directions to overflow parking HERE https://goo.gl/maps/EKNdRcrRovR2 – we will have an unmonitored spot for you to leave warm-ups near the start / finish area (read, do not leave valuables here, warmups only).
Race Number Assignments & Chip Timing
Race / bib numbers have been assigned, please know your number at packet pickup on Saturday morning – you can find the list of assignments HERE https://www.aftontrailrun.com/2016-bib-assignments/ Your timing chip will be affixed to your race number / bib – you must wear your bib on the front of your body and must not fold or crumple your number – this will break your timing chip and your time will not read when you cross the finish line. There is space on the back of your race bib for your to write in emergency contact information and known medical conditions.
Safety and DNF Procedure
It is usually HOT for this race, you should be carrying a water bottle or hydration pack and be taking in sufficient electrolyte replacement. If you cannot finish the race you must remove your bib number and turn it in to a HAM Radio Operator – ask for them at any aid station or at the finish line – failure to do so will be grounds for a ban from future editions of the race.
Trail Markings
As a reminder, we do not block off trails that you are not supposed to go down, this is a public area and we cannot close off trails – instead, we mark the route you are supposed to take with fluorescent orange survey type flags and arrows which will always be on your left hand side (except in one short stretch of two-way traffic where they will be on both sides – there will also be course marshalls in this area) – trail running is “heads up running” pay attention and you will navigate the course without issue. For your reference a course map can be found HERE
Results and Race Day Coverage:
Results will be posted HERE in real time as you cross the finish line! Race day coverage will be done on our Facebook page HERE https://www.facebook.com/aftontrailrun/
Awards and USATF Minnesota Association Championship Races!
If you think you won your age group please do not leave without your award! Due to the long gap between the first and last age group winners coming in we do not do an official awards ceremony but try to find or call up all award winners shortly after crossing the finish line, if we don’t find you right away and you see you were 1st in your age group / division please do not be bashful and let us know before you take off. As a reminder the Afton Trail Run 25KM is this years USATF-Minnesota Trail Championship race more information can be found HERE
Cool Stuff For Sale
We will have all kinds of Afton and RSR t-shirts, sweatshirts, stickers, posters, hats and wraps (like a Buff) for sale before and after the race, plan to buy at packet pickup if you want your choice, cash and check only.
In Closing
We will have 150 awesome VOLUNTEERS helping you on race day, be sure to say thank you when you see them! Please check out all of our awesome SPONSORS and support them as they do such a great job supporting us! After your cross the finish line and receive your awesome MEDAL please be sure to stay and enjoy our picnic, we will be serving (for registered runners only) burgers, veggie burgers and sides!
Need to Contact Us?
Please keep in mind that if you contact us within two days of the race we may be slow to reply since we are marking trails, hauling equipment etc. We are looking forward to another great year at the Afton Trail Run! Run Wild, Be Free!
Thank You,
John Storkamp
Race Director
[email protected]
Event Sponsors:
