GREETINGS EVERYONE!
Thank you for entering the 17th annual Afton Trail Run. We are very close to meeting the field limit of 500 runners and registration will be closing shortly. Regardless if we reach 500 person field limit or not, registration will close on Thursday July 1 at 5:00 PM. If you know anyone who is on the fence about signing up, let them know that they need to act now! The overwhelming interest in both distances will once again ensure that the Afton Trail Run(s) are the premier 25K and 50K trail-races in the Midwest. As always, Net Proceeds from the race will be donated to Afton State Park. As a reminder, this race is put on entirely by volunteer support – this year we will have more than 75 individuals donate their time and resources in order to make the race a reality.
*Listed below are a few things to keep in mind as the race draws near*
LOCATION / DIRECTIONS
Afton State Park is located at 6959 Peller Avenue South
Hastings, MN 55033-9474
A map can be found HERE.
PARKING
Please carpool! We cannot stress this enough…. Reduce the races carbon footprint, save money and help reduce congestion in the parking lot, parking resources will be strained as there is limited parking. When you arrive, drive all the way to the end of the road to the far parking lot and start parking there, do not fill the lots by the start / finish area first. Park close to the car next to you. Do not park on the road. There will be race volunteers helping to point you in the right direction – please go where they tell you.
PARKING PERMITS (PLEASE READ THIS!!!)
If you do not already have one, we strongly encourage you to purchase an Annual State Park entry / parking permit prior to race day. An annual pass can also be purchased on your way out of the park after the race, please tell the park official that you ran the race. This is an excellent way to support our wonderful state park system. More information can be found at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/permit.html if you choose not to purchase an annual pass or at a minimum a day pass we will cover the expense for your parking, but this just takes away from our overall donation to Afton State Park. You can tell a hardcore Minnesota trail runner by the state park sticker on their windshield!
PACKET PICKUP
Packet pickup will be held on race morning only. You can pick up your number, race packet, timing-chip and t-shirt at the Interpretive Center at Afton State Park, starting at 5:00 a.m. (the Interpretive Center is adjacent from the start finish area.) Click HERE to view a map of the start finish area. Packet pickup for the 50K ends at 6:00 a.m. and at 7:00 a.m. for the 25K. Arrive Early! This is the only opportunity for packet pickup there is no packet pick the night before the race.
RACE-DAY REGISTRATION
There will be no race-day registration - Pass the word. Registration will most likely close on Thursday Night - July 1.
USATF CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
This year we are pleased to announce that Afton Trail Run 25K and 50K have been selected to host the USATF-MN Championship Trail Races. To be eligible for prize money and the title – you must be a USATF-MN member. USATF provides benefits for runners at all levels; you can read more about this HERE.
SWITHCHING DISTANCES
Please do not ask to switch distances on race morning.
CHIP-TIMING
Again this year we will be using chip timing. Your chip will be assigned to you when you pick up your race number. Secure your chip well and do not loose it! Your chip will be taken from you when you cross the finish line.
T-SHIRTS
We ordered you the size t-shirt that you ordered. Please do not ask to switch sizes on race morning. New this year – we now have separate men’s and women’s shirts.
PACERS
Pacers (as in non-registered runners) are not allowed under any circumstance – any pacers who are not registered will be asked to leave the course along with the runner that they are pacing (read; disqualification). This is a liability issue for the Park and for Afton Trial Run – you must be a registered runner if you are participating in the race.
EARLY STARTS
We do not allow early starts – please do not take it upon yourself to start early – when you cross the finish line, you throw off the results and make countless hours of work for us in sorting out results. You have 9 hours to finish either event.
TIME LIMIT
We have established a 9 hour time limit. Starting at the 25K aid station at 10:30 a.m., the sweeps will begin taking down the course and aid stations at 10:30 – if you are not through, you will be pulled from the course.
START TIMES
The 50K starts at 6:30 a.m. and the 25K starts at 7:30 a.m. SHARP.
COURSE CHANGES
Due to two permanent trail closures at Afton State Park – we have revised the course. There will be a map available for review on race morning, but as always the course will be well marked. The most important thing is that you follow the course markings and pay attention. Like always, we do not block off the trails you are not supposed to go on - we mark the trail you should be on. Again, if you follow the markings, stay aware and pay attention, you will stay on course and will not have any problems.
WORST CASE
IMPORTANT. If you need to drop out of the race, let a volunteer know that you are doing so, this way you will be accounted for and we will know that we don’t need to send out the bloodhounds. If you go off course or get lost, be honest, let someone know, try to correct your mistake and try to finish, but let the timing official know when you cross the line. Pay attention and follow the flags - you'll be fine!
MORE INFORMATION
As always, more information can be found at the following locations:
http://www.aftontrailrun.com/ or at http://aftontrailrun.blogspot.com/
THE ATR IS HARDCORE, YOU ARE HARDCORE. GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, PUSH YOURSELF, THANK THE VOLUNTEERS AND BE SAFE.
Thanks Again,
John Storkamp / Alicia Gordon and the Entire ATR Crew
