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The City of Lakes Trail Loppet is a unique Twin Cities running event – featuring a north woods feel along with downtown views. Between the hills and the trails, the Trail Loppet works different muscles and is easier on the body than the standard asphalt run on flatter roads. Plus, with its variety of scenery, the Trail Loppet is much more interesting than the standard running event. The Trail Loppet winds its way through Theodore Wirth Park. About 75% of the Trail Loppet is on dirt/grass trails - meaning less impact on knees and joints - and more fun running and Nordic Walking! Both the Finn Sisu 5K and the Half Marathon course contain challenging hills mixed with a few flatter stretches on pavement. 2009 Course Map w topography – over satellite photo  2009 Course Map w topography – over topo map Segments The first 5K – through the Eloise Butler section of the park (but not through the wildflower garden itself) is hilly and challenging, with a few sections of single track. There is an aid station 2.8 miles into the race. From 3 to 5.5 miles (Wirth Beach – just across Glenwood from the start/finish line) the trail winds through the Quaking Bog/Norm Oakvik section of trails – following single track and ski trails. This section is also challenging – but flattens out toward the end. From 5.5 to 8 miles the trail is generally flat, with the eighth mile on Wirth Park’s twisty single-track mountain bike trails (weather permitting). There are two aid stations in this section – one at 10 kilometers and the next at 7.5 miles. From 8 miles to 11 miles the trail winds around the north end of the park – with three big climbs – one to the top of Wirth Park’s alpine area. There is an aid station just before the 9 mile mark and at 10.5 miles the course reaches the 45th parallel – half-way to the North Pole! Finally, the last two miles of the race are mostly flat, with one big hill shortly after the aid station near the 12 mile mark. The last quarter-mile of the trail overlaps with the first quarter mile of the race, before finishing in the same location that the race starts. Hoigaard’s Nordic Walk
The Nordic Walk is a non-competitive, un-timed walk or jog. Nordic walkers complete the same course as the Half-Marathon participants (13.1 miles – mostly on dirt or grass trails) – but there will be a 10 kilometer (6.1 miles) cutoff as well. Nordic walking poles are encouraged but not required (a limited number of loaner poles will be available). All Nordic Walk participants receive a commemorative Trail Loppet t-shirt. Salomon Half Marathon
The Salomon Half Marathon is a perfect training run for the fall marathons. The 13.1 mile course is run on the dirt trails and wooded paths of Theodore Wirth Park. There will be 5 water stops: at 3 miles, 6.5 miles, 8 miles, 9.5 miles and 11.5 miles. Cut-off Times:
- Must be through aid station 4 (8.75 miles) by 11:15
- Must be through aid station 5 (11.75 miles) by noon
Finn Sisu 5K
A wooded and challenging 5 kilometer (3.1 mile) course. Start/Finish area - map
Wirth Beach – between Wirth Parkway and Xerxes Avenue on Glenwood Avenue. |
