Rocksteady Running is proud to introduce Mile in My Shoes as an official charity partner for our 2023 events!

Mile in My Shoes (MiMS) is a Twin Cities Minnesota based nonprofit that uses the power of running to bring together people from diverse backgrounds to build connections, boost wellness, spark social change, and center people traditionally excluded from running spaces. Based in homeless shelters, addiction recovery programs and re-entry centers for people exiting incarceration, MiMS views running as a tool for both personal and collective transformation. By focusing on people and spaces often marginalized in our society, MiMS teams use movement as a catalyst for social justice. By bringing together people from all walks of life, Members not only find common ground, but learn from and reach out to one another for support.

Mile in My Shoes mission is extremely compatible with Rocksteady Running’s mission of… “creating experiences that facilitate connection”. While we all know running and racing is good for us and is a ton of fun, it can also be a powerful tool for connection, growth, transformation and healing.

 

Help support a great cause and bring added meaning to your racing by becoming a MiMS FundRacer!

MiMS FundRacers will use their race experience at Zumbro, Superior(S), Afton, Superior(F) and ESTRS as an opportunity to raise critical funding for Mile in My Shoes while receiving great perks. MiMS helps you create a FundRacing page to share with family and friends, or you may raise funds in other ways. The more you raise, the more perks you receive – including a refund of your race entry and MiMS’ signature supersoft hoodie at the $500 level, or a guaranteed, free entry into ANY Rocksteady Running race of your choice in 2024 if you raise $2K! * Limited to 5 entries for our lottery races; Superior (Spring and Fall).

 

If you are interested in learning more or becoming a MiMS FundRacer, follow any of the event specific link(s) below.

https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/mile-in-my-shoes/

https://www.superiorspringtrailrace.com/mile-in-my-shoes/

https://www.aftontrailrun.com/mile-in-my-shoes/

https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/mile-in-my-shoes/

https://www.estrs.com/mile-in-my-shoes/

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.