RACE INFORMATION

START: 7:00 a.m. on May 8, 2010 at the Holdingford High School. Runners will head west from the Holdingford High School for one mile and join the Lake Wobegon Trail ¾ mile north of the Holdingford Trail Facility. Runners will run through the towns of Holdingford, Albany, Avon, and St. Joseph. The race finishes at the Trail Facility in St. Joseph.

COURSE: The course is flat, fast, and picturesque. Many people feel that the trail from Holdingford to St. Joseph is the prettiest portion of the Lake Wobegon Trail. The trail is primarily rural except as it passes through the four small towns along the route. In a post on the “A Prairie Home Companion” website, Garrison Keillor said this about the Lake Wobegon Trail: “I’ve biked the bike trail…and love the ordinary beauty of farmland and meadow and the towns along it.” The course is certified (USATF #MN-08042-RR).

The Lake Wobegon Trail is a 10 foot wide asphalt bike trail on a former railroad track. The trail is smooth and has no cant. There is very little elevation change at any time along the entire length of the course. You cannot get lost on this course. Runners join the trail after one mile and then simply follow the trail to the finish. There is only one turn on the entire trail where the trail ‘T’s’ at about 11 ½ miles and runners go left at the ‘T’.

The finish line will close after six hours. Water stations will close at intervals of 14 minutes per mile from the start. We do not want to leave runners unsupported on the course. Therefore, runners who are not able to maintain at least a 14 minute mile average pace will be transported to the finish line by volunteers from the next water station. If you do not know whether you will be able to maintain at least a 14 minute mile average pace throughout the race, then unfortunately this is not the race for you.

WEATHER: The average high for St. Joseph on May 8 is 67 degrees. The average low is 42 degrees. The sunrise is 5:52 a.m.

SAFETY: The trail crosses public roads and private drives at a number of points along the trail. Most of these crossings will not be controlled and runners must yield to vehicles. Runners should use caution at all trail crossings.

WATER STATIONS: Tentatively water stations will be located an average of 2.2 miles apart on the course with the furthest distance between water stations anticipated to be 3.0 miles apart. Sports drink will be available at water stations beginning at mile 5.5. Volunteers will have cookies, candy, and/or fruit available at some stations.

TOILETS: Holdingford High School and Trail Facilities at Holdingford (mile 1.8), Avon (mile 18.2), and St. Joseph (finish) have toilets and water fountains. There will be a porti-potty located at mile 9.9.

SPECTATORS: Space and parking is limited at most water stations. Water stations are generally located adjacent to public roads and often not safe locations for children. Friends and family are encouraged to spectate from the Trail Facilities in the towns of Holdingford, Albany, Avon, and St. Joseph.

FINISH: Technical finisher shirts (choice of shirt size is guaranteed only if registration is postmarked or completed online by March 31, 2010) and finisher medals will be awarded to all runners who complete the course within the six hour time limit. Pizza and other refreshments will be provided to all runners at the finish. Massage will be available for runners at the finish for a limited time. Pool, sauna, hot tub, and showers will be available at a nearby local health club.

AWARDS: Awards will be presented to the male and female overall and masters winners and to the top three male and female finishers in each category: 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70+. Awards will be custom prints from a painting of the Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon. The prints will be signed by the artist, Doug Lien, and Doug will be available to personalize the signature if desired. Prints will also be available for sale at the finish with the option of personalized signature.

REGISTRATION: The 2010 race is limited to 350 runners. Entry fee is $45 postmarked by March 31, 2010 and $65 postmarked after March 31, 2010. Registrations will be accepted only if postmarked by April 30, 2010. Online registration will also be available through April 30, 2010. There is a small additional fee charged to entrants for online registration. NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION. Entry fees are non-transferable and non-refundable. 

PACKET PICKUP: Race bibs and drop bags will be picked up before the start at the Holdingford High School on race morning.

DROP BAGS: Drop bags will be available at the Holdingford High School and will be returned to the finish area for runners.

TRANSPORTATION: Runners may park at the finish at the St. Joseph Trail Facility and ride a bus to the start at the Holdingford High School. The buses will leave the St. Joseph Trail Facility promptly at 6:00 a.m. No other transportation will be provided to the start. NO TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED BACK TO THE START FROM THE FINISH.

PASTA DINNER:  An optional pasta dinner will be held at the Gorecki Dining Center at the College of St. Benedict's from 6:00-8:00 p.m. the evening before the race.  All St. Cloud River Runner members, marathon runners, and friends and family are invited and encouraged to attend. You may prepay tickets (non-refundable) online .  The dinner includes pasta, salads, bread, dessert, and beverages for $14 (adult) and $6.12 (child).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact Sharon Hobbs for additional information.