A punishing 51-miler through Minnesota's Sawtooth Mountains with no pacers allowed
Superior Fall Trail Race 50 Mile takes place on September 12, 2026 in Lutsen, MN.
Superior Fall Trail Race 50 Mile is 51.7 miles with 7,950 ft of elevation gain.
Yes — entry to Superior Fall Trail Race 50 Mile is decided by lottery.
Yes, crew is allowed at Superior Fall Trail Race 50 Mile. Sign in to Trailrace to see crew access for each aid station.
No, pacers are not allowed at Superior Fall Trail Race 50 Mile.
Yes, Superior Fall Trail Race 50 Mile allows drop bags.
Superior Fall Trail Race 50 Mile has 7 aid stations along the course.
The overall cutoff for Superior Fall Trail Race 50 Mile is 16h45m. Per-aid-station cutoffs are available to signed-in Trailrace members.
A 51.7-mile point-to-point trail ultramarathon covering the northern section of the Superior Hiking Trail from Finland Community Center to Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen. The course is 95% technical singletrack with 7,950 feet of elevation gain, traversing boreal forest and rocky ridges above Lake Superior. Pacers are not permitted, adding to the self-reliant nature of the challenge. Runners share the trail's final miles with 100-mile competitors who have been running since the previous morning.
Suitable for first-timers
Lutsen, MN, United StatesSeptember 12, 2026
Registration conducted via a 15-day lottery period (January 1-15). No waiting list maintained. No refunds, transfers, or distance switches.
Must complete a 50K race or longer within the qualification window
Must have finished at least one 50KM or longer trail race with verifiable online results, or any previous Superior Spring/Fall event (50KM, 50MI, 100MI, or Marathon). Completion of 50KM+ during an 8-hour or less timed loop event also qualifies.
Moderate trail conditions with some technical sections
| Location | Mile | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
Finland Start | 0.0 | 1,319 ft |
Sonju Lake Road Aid Station | 7.0 | 1,542 ft |
Crosby-Manitou Aid Station | 11.2 | 1,450 ft |
Sugarloaf Aid Station | 20.9 | 1,106 ft |
Cramer Road Aid Station | 26.4 | 1,266 ft |
Temperance Aid Station | 33.3 | 837 ft |
Sawbill Aid Station | 38.7 | 1,214 ft |
Oberg Aid Station | 44.2 | 1,220 ft |
Caribou Highlands Finish | 51.7 | 1,175 ft |
Sign in to see cutoffs, crew access, drop bags, and services for every aid station.
Early September in Northern Minnesota brings variable conditions. The average high is 65°F (18°C) and average low is 47°F (8°C), with temperatures potentially ranging from mid-30s to mid-80s. Rain is common. The 50-mile race starts at 5:15 AM in darkness and slower runners may still be on course at sunset (7:30 PM), requiring headlamps at both ends of the day. A rain jacket or poncho is strongly recommended.
No required gear specified
No recommended gear specified
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