Half Voyageur Trail Marathon
Half Voyageur Trail Marathon
Start Time: 7:00 AM
Registration Deadline: 7/11/2009
Registration Fee: $65
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Course Information:
Welcome to the 28th annual Minnesota Voyageur Trail Ultra! The start, finish, and all race day festivities will be at the Carlton High School. We will again be serving Ultima as the energy drink. Weather for Voyageur can be extreme. 2003 was hot and humid, both in mid-90’s, most of the day. 2001 was cool in the mid-50’s and wet. You must plan for everything except snow, (at least not so far!!).
Drop Bags:
Your drop bags must have your name and specific drop station location. Unmarked drop bags will not be delivered to aid station locations.
Trail Markings:
Follow the hot pink ribbons—if you don’t see one in 200-300 yards you are off course!! Use care while on the bike path and roads. Watch footing on the bridges, they can be slippery, some may have boards missing. Watch for washouts (both runner and drivers). There are ‘horse holes” in the Magney section between aid stations #7 and #8. 1st Sect. (3.4 miles) Jay Cooke State Park Carlton Trail…narrow, rocky, rooty—it’s early—swinging bridge ahead
2nd Sect. (1.8 miles) Jay Cook State Park White Pine Trail…hilly, but wider—now’s your chance to pass
3rd Sect. (3.3 miles) Greeley Creek to Gill Creek Trails…short jaunt on paved bike trail, then in and out of gullies on narrow slanted trails…watch for sharp turns
4th Sect (2.1 miles) still in Jay Cooke State Park…more gullies, sharp turn and creeks
5th Sect (2.9 miles) the dreaded “Power Lines”…only 350 feet of climb, but over and over again…very little shelter in this section…it can get HOT, right onto paved bike trail
6th Sect. (2.0 miles) follows Mission Creek down to Fond du Lac
7th Sect. (3.1 miles) cross Mission Creek and climb back up to cross over the bike trail
8th Sect. (3.1 miles) Skyline Drive gravel road for about a mile, then into the “mucky” horse trails of Duluth’s Magney-Snively cross country ski trails…don’t lose your shoes!
9th Sect. (3.3 miles) more gravel road, then across Spirit Mountain ski slopes and on to Zoo, then turn around and do it in reverse. Keep in mind, after second trip through the power lines, the next 2 miles is a gradual climb. A lot of people seem to have problems in this stretch. In 1988 it was in the mid 50’s and raining; in 1995 it was in the mid-90’s with clear skies. Be aware of the weather and run accordingly!!
AID STATIONS are normally well stocked, but don’t count on them to provide you with everything you might need. There are three drop bag stations-use them. Place your clearly marked, (name, number, and specific aid station) self-supplied bags/containers by the appropriate sign at the start and we will deliver them to that aid station. They will be returned to the finish after that aid station closes. Cut-off times are strictly enforced. You must reach the turnaround in 6 hours. Sweeps will be taking down the course after that behind that last official runner.
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