Spectator Info:

The Afton Trail Run is a spectator friendly event, especially if you are willing to do some walking – friends and families are welcome to come and support their runners!

VERY IMPORTANT PARKING DETAILS FOR THE 2019 RACE: 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. PLEASE REVIEW COMPLETE DETAILS, HERE https://www.aftontrailrun.com/2019-afton-trail-run-parking-plan-all-runners-must-read/

Parking:
Spectators will park in either of the same locations that runners do –  we strongly encourage carpooling.  A parking map / locations can be found HERE https://www.aftontrailrun.com/maps-and-data/

Spectating Locations:
The best two places to spectate are at the Start / Finish area and at Aid Station 3/4. The race Start / finish area is adjacent to the Afton State Park Visitors Center, which is also the 25K point in the 50K race – so 50K spectators can see their runners start, embark on their second loop and finish at this location.  Aid Station 3/4 is near the beach at Afton State Park and is about a 1/2 mile walk from the race start / finish area.  25K runners will come through this area two times, while 50K runners will come through four times!  Please do not crowd the aid stations and always listen to instructions from race officials.

Pacing and Bandits:
Pacers are not allowed at the Afton Trail Run and running the race course without being officially registered is considered bandit’ing the race (stealing) and is prohibited.

Crewing:
Because of how well staffed and stocked our aid stations are, crewing your runner should not be necessary at the Afton Trail Run – however, if you are going to crew your runners, this may only be done at official aid stations – giving supplies, water, etc to your runner at any other location on the race course is prohibited and considered cheating and will lead to the disqualification of your runner.

Trail Etiquette:
The park and all of the trails are open to the public, and thus, spectators alike.  While you are welcome to spectate from anywhere within the park, we ask that while walking down the trails to get to a viewing area, that you give runners the right of way.

Post Race Picnic:
The post race picinic is for registered runners only – please be sure to pack yourself a lunch if you are spending the day!

Additional Info:
Spectators should familiarize themselves with the maps and info on THIS page https://www.aftontrailrun.com/maps-and-data/ and should also study up on the info specific to the distance their runner is participating in 50KM HERE https://www.aftontrailrun.com/50km-info/ and 25KM HERE https://www.aftontrailrun.com/25km-info/

COVID-19 Press Release 3/20/20

Please follow the link provided for Rocksteady Running / Afton Trail Run updates relating to COVID-19 https://www.aftontrailrun.com/covid-19-press-release-3-20-20/  

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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.