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Summit North Trail Runs

Fri August 15 - Sun August 17, 2025 Duluth, MN 55802 US

Events

Friday

Hill Climb & Descent

$27 Registration Opens February 1, 2025 at 12:00am CST
Open to ages 17+.
Friday

Hill Climb & Descent - Juniors

$20 **Juniors Race**
Open to ages 12 - 16.
Saturday

Mountain Lap | 5K

$35 Registration Opens February 1, 2025 at 12:00am CST
Open to ages 13+.
Saturday

The Creeks | 8-Mile

$48 Registration Opens February 1, 2025 at 12:00am CST
Open to ages 15+.
Saturday

Forest Track | Heavy 1/2 Marathon

$60 Registration Opens February 1, 2025 at 12:00am CST
Open to ages 17+.
Saturday

Kids Trail Run (Ages 7-12)

$0
50 spots left. Registration Opens February 1, 2025 at 12:00am CST
Open to ages 6 - 12.
Sunday

Guided Hike (2-Hour)

$0
18 spots left.

$15.00 - Suggested donation to the Superior Hiking Trail Association
Open to ages 12+.

Description

Welcome to Summit North! An event that brings people together for a weekend of races on some of the Midwest's most beautiful trails. 

Friday kicks off with the Juniors & Open Hill Climb where runners will test their lungs and legs on Spirit Mountain. Saturday's race distances include the Mountain Lap | 5k, The Creeks | 8 Mile, and the Forest Track | 13.7-Mile - quintessential Duluth trail running that includes rocky and rooty climbs, creek crossings, and a plunge through Ely's Tunnel in the Forest Track.
 
We have worked hard to bring this race to life. Runners of all levels will get a premium trail experience with fun and challenging courses, great views, and good vibes. Join us this August for what we hope will become classic summer races!

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Weekend Schedule

Friday, August 23

Check In & Bib Pick Up - Spirit Mountain, Grand Avenue Chalet
  Hill Climb: 4:00 to 7:00 PM
  Saturday Races: 4:00 to 8:00 PM

Hill Climb: 7:30 PM (Open & Juniors combined)


Saturday, August 24

Check In & Bib Pick Up - Spirit Mountain, Grand Avenue Chalet
  Forest Track | Heavy ½ Marathon - 6:30 to 7:15 AM
  The Creeks | 8M - 6:30 to 7:45 AM
  Mountain Lap| 5K - 6:30 to 8:00 AM 

Race Start Times

  Forest Track | Heavy Half Marathon - 7:30 AM
  The Creeks | 8-Mile - 8:00 AM
  Mountain Lap | 5K - 8:15 AM


Kids Trail Adventure
- Spirit Mountain, Grand Ave Chalet
  - 9:15 AM Check-In (inside the chalet)
  - 9:30 AM Start
  - 10:15 AM End

Prize Drawing - All Races! - Spirit Mountain, Grand Ave Chalet
- 10:45 AM
- Must be present to win.

 

Sunday, August 25

Guided Hikes - Spirit Mountain, Grand Avenue Chalet
 - 8:30 to 9:00 AM Check-In (outside of chalet)
 - 9:00 AM (Beginner & Intermediate Hikes)

 

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Check-In & Bibs

 

Friday, August 23rd
Location - Spirit Mountain, Grand Avenue Chalet
  • Hill Climb: 4:00 to 7:00 PM
  • Forest Track (Heavy 1/2): 4:00 to 8:00 PM
  • The Creeks (8M): 4:00 to 8:00 PM
  • Mountain Lap (5K): 4:00 to 8:00 PM
 
Saturday, August 24th
Location - Spirit Mountain, Grand Avenue Chalet
  • Forest Track (Heavy 1/2): 6:30 to 7:15 AM
  • The Creeks (8M): 6:30 to 7:45 AM
  • Mountain Lap (5K): 6:30 to 8:00 AM
  • Kids Trail Adventure: 9:15 to 9:30 AM

Sunday, August 25th

Location - Spirit Mountain, Grand Avenue Chalet
  • Guided Hikes: 8:30 to 9:00 AM
 
To Check-In:
  • Enter through the front doors from the parking area and go up the stairs to the main level of the Chalet.
  • At the check-in table- inform the volunteer of your last name, first name and race entered- they do not need your ID, QR-code, or confirmation number.
  • You will receive your bib (with timing tag applied).
  • If you added on a performance tee, waffle hoody, or Speed Cup you will receive them at check-in.
  • There may be apparel for purchase after the races on Saturday if you did not add-on and would like some Summit North gear.
 
Bibs & Timing:
  • All bibs will include a timing tag.
  • Races are chip timed- your race time will begin and end when you cross the timing mats at the start and finish line.
  • Please do not fold, crease, or tear your bib- damage to bibs can result in timing malfunction and inaccurate results.
  • Attach your bib to the front of your shirt and do not cover with additional clothing layers or vest.
  • Please wear the bib provided to you, your bib number and timing tag are linked to your results.
  • Should you lose your bib or your there is damage to your timing tag- please contact race staff so we can ensure you get an accurate race result.
  • Your results will be updated within 15-20 minutes of your finish. You can access the results on our race website or via the QR-code that will be posted at the finish line and at the chalet.
  • Your bib includes a tear-away tag that race staff will collect when you finish-this tag will enter you into the drawing for shoes and other prizes.
     
IMPORTANT: If you are running the Hill Climb and a Saturday race- you will use the same bib, do not lose, tear, fold, or crease the timing tag that is on the back of your bib.

Registration Information

Registration: All registration is online through this site. There is no in person registration.
Registration includes a well-organized race, finisher's award, and access to the finish line festivities. Not all folx want a race shirt so apparel is not included in the registration. This allows us to offer high-quality apparel as an add-on purchase.

Registration Opens: April 7, 2024 at 12:00 AM
Registration Closes:
  Hill Climb: 6:30 PM - August 23, 2024
  Forest Track | Heavy Half Marathon: 7:00 AM - August 24, 2024 
  The Creeks | 8-Mile: 7:30 AM - August 24, 2024 
  Mountain Lap | 5K: 7:45 AM - August 24, 2024
  Kids Trail Adventure: 9:15 AM - August 24, 2024 - (20 kid capacity - ONLY 6 SPOTS LEFT)
  Guided Hikes: 8:45 AM - August 25, 2024

Juniors Pricing:

  - Open Hill Climb - Ages 17+ (age-based discount for 17-21) - $20.00 + signup fee (no increases)
  - Juniors Hill Climb - Ages 12 to 16 (age-based discount for 15-19) - $20.00 + signup fee (no increases)
  - Mountain Lap | 5K - Ages 13+ (age-based discount for 13-19) - $35.00 + signup fee (no increases)
  - The Creeks | 8-Mile - Ages 15+ (age-based discount for 15-19) - $47.00 + signup fee (no increases)
  - Forest Track | Heavy Half Marathon - Ages 17+ (age-based discount for 17-21) - $60.00 + signup (no increases)
  
 

Run Friday & Saturday!

Sign Up for the Hill Climb & Get 10% OFF a Saturday Race at Checkout.


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Apparel Add-ons!

Performance men's & women's tee | Fleece waffle jacket | Limited quantity available - get it now!

Weekend Festivities

The Grand Avenue chalet hosts our start and finish area. We have a bunch of other cool stuff planned around the races that includes our partners and supporters.
 NNormal - shoe & gear demos
 Skratch Labs - snacks & swag
 Duluth Foot Trail Alliance - trail education
 Superior Hiking Trail - support our charity partner!
 Duluth Running Company - Get some DRC or Summit North gear at our pop-up store.
 Riverside Bar & Grill - Enjoy post-run food and drinks at the chalet.
 
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Getting Here & Parking

Summit North Trail Runs are held at Spirit Mountain Grand Avenue Chalet (8551 Grand Ave. Duluth, MN 55808) about 8 miles (15-minute drive) southwest of downtown Duluth.

Accommodations:

A number of hotels are within a short drive of Spirit Mountain.

Parking:

  • You will enter the chalet area via Grand Avenue.
  • Enter and turn right- DO NOT block the accessible parking spaces or the chalet entrance.
  • Please reserve the paved lot for accessible spaces & families.
  • Park in the gravel lot if there are available spaces.
  • Use the large grass lot if the primary gravel lot is full.
  • Parking is not permitted on Grand Avenue or on the neighboring residential streets. 

 

Parking Map

Our Rules

1. Be kind. This is an easy one.
2. Stay on course. Protect the trails and the land.
3. Bring your own cup. This is a cupless race.
4. If you don't finish and leave the course- Tell us.
5. Challenge yourself. This is hard one.
6. Say thank you. Volunteers and race staff work hard too.
7. Stick around and cheer on someone you don't know. 

If you want to see all the policies, rules, etiquette and FAQs- CLICK HERE
 
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Aid Station Info

Moutain Lap | 5k

  • Juggler Joe's - 1.8 miles


The Creeks | 8-mile

  • Kingsbury Creek - 3.75 miles
  • Juggler Joe's - 6.2 miles (2.45 miles from Kingsbury Creek)

 

Forest Track | Heavy Half Marathon

  • Juggler Joe's - 3.7 miles
  • Ely's Tunnel - 8 miles (4.3 miles from Juggler Joe's)
  • Skyline - 11.7 miles (3.7 miles from Ely's Tunnel)

 

Aid Station Hydration & Nutrition

Aid stations will have the following:
  • Water and Lemon + Lime OR Strawberry Lemonade Skratch Labs Hydration (80 calories, 20g of carbohydrate, 400mg of sodium) 
  • Limited supply of Skratch Labs Energy Chews (160 calories, 19g of carbohydrate, 35mg of sodium)
  • Variety of sodas (Ely's Tunnel & Skyline Only)
  • Bananas & Oranges (Ely's Tunnel & Skyline Only)
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Why We Do What We Do...

Our team at Duluth Running Company has followed in the long Duluth tradition of producing great running events. 2005 was the first edition of the Gobble Gallop and we have had a blast creating races and learning a ton along the way. The Gobble Gallop has become one of Minnesota's biggest Thanksgiving Day races, Pike Lake is a spring classic, and The Duluth Women's Ten Mile has brought hundreds of women together to elevate and transform what a run can be.
We hold fast to our commitment of inspiring our active community through everything that we do and our events reflect this in so many ways. If you have raced around Pike Lake, witnessed the sunrise at Hawk Ridge at the start of the Duluth Women's Ten Mile, or donned a turkey hat for the Gobble Gallop, you are a vital part of that inspiration. We are going to continue to put on great events because you inspire us to do it... the Summit North Trail Runs are what's up next!

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Outfitted by

Fueled by

Inspired by

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Race Contact Info

If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.

Place

1026 E Superior St
Duluth Running Co.
Duluth, MN US 55802

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