Download the 2011 Event Brochure

Race Day Schedule

• 7:00 am – Registration, packet-pickup and bike corral open – Picnic Pavilion, Wirth Beach
• 8:00 am – Start of the Hoigaard’s Nordic Walk
• 9:00 am – Start of Half Marathon
• 10:00 am – Start of the Finn Sisu 5K and 13.1K Races
• 10:00 am – Brats, hot dogs and soda for sale (bike, walk, run or take the bus to and from the event and receive a free brat after the race)
• 10:30 am – Live music begins
• Noon – Awards Ceremony

The Course

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.

2011 Surly Trail Loppet – Over Aerial Photo
2011 Surly Trail Loppet – Over Topographical Map
2011 Half Marathon – KML File
2011 13.1K Events – KML File
2011 Finn Sisu 5K – KML File

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

New this year: the Nordic walk features an improved shortened course that will avoid overlap with runners.

The Nordic Walk is a non-competitive, un-timed walk or jog. Nordic walkers complete the same course as the 13.1 K participants (7.5 miles– mostly on dirt or grass trails). 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.

13.1K

The 13.1 K (7.5 miles) race is a challenging intermediate distance option through the woods of south Wirth Park. The course follows the first half of the Salomon Half Marathon.

Start/Finish area

Map – Wirth Beach – between Wirth Parkway and Xerxes Avenue on Glenwood Avenue.

Awards

The awards ceremony will take place in the Picnic Pavilion at noon, near the start/finish area. Special Trail Loppet medals will be awarded to the top-three finishers in the half marathon, 13.1km and Finn Sisu 5K in the following age categories:

• 19 and under
• 20-29
• 30-39
• 40-49
• 50-59
• 60-69
• 70+

Door prizes including a free Loppet entry and free registration in the Loppet Ski Club will also be provided.

Bike Corral

Use alternative transportation to get to and from the event – bus, bike or other non-motorized transportation – and receive a coupon for a free brat after the event.
Bike corral provided by Penn Cycle.