2019 AFTON TRAIL RUN PARKING PLAN – ALL RUNNERS MUST READ

Due to an infrastructure project on their lower property, the normal overflow parking lots that Afton Alps Ski Area generously allows us to use for the Afton Trail Run will not be available for the 2019 race. We will be using an alternate parking lot on Afton Alps property that will require us to shuttle runners and spectators a short 2 miles to (and from) the race start / finish area. Some 50K runners, and all 25K runners, along with spectators should expect to park in this lot and take the shuttle bus. Flaggers will either direct you into the State Park or to the overflow parking lot. We will have a formal bag-drop setup near the start / finish area so participants can securely drop their warm-ups or personal items that they would like for after the race – please make sure your belongings are in a waterproof bag, we will have supplies to mark your bags. Additionally, due to the ongoing closure of Fort Snelling State Park due to flooding and generally increased state park use, Afton State Park is having one of its busiest seasons on record and parking has been near capacity every weekend. We ask that all participants find at least one (but preferably more) people to carpool with, so that not only racers, but the general public can share and enjoy the park as well on race day. Please do not dismiss this request / please do everything in your power to carpool!

Shuttles will run from the overflow parking lot from 5:30AM until 7:00AM – you should plan to park absolutely no less than 45 minutes before the start of your race in order to have time to check-in, drop a bag, and use the restroom. Return shuttles will depart the race finish at least every 30 minutes starting at 7:30AM until the end of the race.

We thank you for your understanding and for taking the time to plan in accordingly. Our collective flexibility and graciousness as a community is what allows us the privilege of being able to host our race at Afton State Park each year.

Year 26. Lives enriched. Nearly $60,000 and 1000’s of volunteer hours donated to the park. Here is to 26 more!

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

Aid Stations, Maps and Data
Below are course maps, elevation profiles, driving directions and more. Please be sure to review and print all items that you think you might need as we do not provide hard copies of these maps.

Course Map

Click to view a larger version of this map
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
+ Click HERE for Quick Info

Afton Trail Run
50KM & 25KM Trail Races
Afton State Park – Hastings, Minnesota
Saturday July 6th, 2019
• 50KM 6:30AM
• 25KM 7:30AM

Registration:
Opens Tuesday January 1st 2019 at 12:01AM CST
Closes Friday June 28th 2019 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.