This past weekend, Rocksteady Running put on the 35th Superior Fall Trail Running Races, which included 100, 50, and 26-mile options. Runners experienced cool and sometimes wet conditions throughout the weekend, with races starting between Friday morning and Saturday morning. Nearly 650 runners took part in the races that finished at Highlands Lodge at Lutsen Mountains. 

All three race distances followed the well-marked Superior Hiking Trail to Lutsen. The 100-mile race started at Gooseberry Falls State Park. The 50-mile distance started in Finland, and the marathon option started at Cramer Road near Schroeder. The courses followed the gnarly topography of the North Shore. Significant technicality in the form of rocks and roots also added to the challenge. 

Most participants were in the trail marathon distance with 326 finishers. Gabby Vandendries of Minneapolis won the women’s division in 4 hours, 13 minutes, and 57 seconds. Tony Hoff of Duluth won the men’s division in 3 hours, 46 minutes, and 14 seconds. 

John Storkamp, the owner and founder of Rocksteady Running, was busy throughout the weekend setting up and moving the start line equipment. Storkamp had to put in an impressive effort to transport and set up between the various start locations on the North Shore. Storkamp was very grateful for the hundreds of volunteers who made the race happen, along with all of the partners who allowed access and supported the event. 

Rocky Steady Running hosts four major ultramarathon races across Minnesota, along with a shorter-distance race series that happens across trails in the Twin Cities. The organization takes pride in giving back to the community, including providing financial contributions to the Superior Hiking Trail Association.

 School buses shuttled runners to the Cramer Road Superior Hiking Trailhead.

 Three friends excited to compete in the marathon to Lutsen Mountains.

Over 300 racers participated in the marathon, with 326 finishers.

 Dan Cairns of Lutsen enjoys a PB&J during his marathon race.

 The Temperance River aid station, supported by Mill City and Saint City Running, provided food and drink to all of the runners approximately seven miles before the finish.

 Jennifer Loukus of Calumet, Michigan, runs her way to a sub-5-hour finish in the marathon.

 Toff Hoff, the winner of the men's marathon division.

 Gabby Vandendries, the winner of the women's marathon race.