Event Information

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2021 Registration will open May 1st.

27 Miles:   6:00AM

21 Miles:    6:30AM

17 Miles:    7:30AM

10 Miles:    8:30AM

Shuttles to all distances depart in the Bayfront Festival Park parking lot, located at 700 West Railroad Street.  Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your departure time to allow plenty of time for parking, registration check-in, bib pick-up, gear organizing and loading the shuttle. See above for specific shuttle departure times.   Shuttle departure times will be determined by field size, number of buses per distance based on COVID transportation mitigation requirements from St. Louis County and the State of Minnesota Department of Health.
 

FREE all day in the Bayfront Festival Parking lot, located off Railroad Street.  Parking is also available at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. Daily parking rates are $5.   Parking information
 

At this time only 27 and 21 mile participants will be allowed to use drop bags.  

Drop bags will be collected on Saturday morning. There will be bins labeled with each aid station number and location. All gear must be placed in a bag and labeled with name and rest stop.  Bags, markers and tape will be available Friday and Saturday morning.   White trash bags and ziplock bags will be provided for use.  Personal bags, properly marked, are allowed.  We strongly encourage you to carry your own items.  Dropped personal items at rest stops will be returned to finish line by the end of the day. 

The bus will also have a drop box to discard clothing, mugs, water bottles, or anything you do not want to carry along the way.   This is available to all riders of the bus, regardless of event distance.
 

We will try our best to have the bags back at Bayfront Park before you finish.  All unclaimed and late gear bags will be collected at the end of the day and can be picked up at Trailfitters on Sunday.  
 

The start time for each distance will be based on the arrival of the bus and the published or assigned time window.   Start time windows will be determined once field size has been established.   Each distance could have a 15 to 30 minute start time window.  Start time windows options will be sent via email two weeks prior to the event. Your finish time will be recorded by timing chip. If you are driving to the any trailhead, please wait for the start official to record your time and remember to check-in if you are in the 27, 21 or 17 mile event.   

Our team will do our best to offer a safe and fun event.  We know that CDC, Minnesota Department of Health and St. Louis County recommendations and precautions set in place now, may change and we will do our best to comply with the changing landscape.   

Current Policy:

• Self monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 before and during your participation in the Grand Traverse. 
• Stay home if you exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
• Wear an appropriate face covering that masks the nose and mouth at all times.  Masks can be removed or lowered when out on the trail.   Please be considerate when passing or approaching people and participants on the trail.  Be a good neighbor. 
• All participants and volunteers will be required to fill out a health questionnaire prior to event day.  This questionnaire will be emailed Thursday prior to event.   
• Understanding of the local mandates and requirements is important for our community and fellow racers.  
• Social distancing 

Four aid stations are located the points along the course: 21 miles, 17 miles, 10 and at 4 miles from the end.  Each aid station has water and sports drink.

Rest stops will provided the following items:

Water

Fluid replacement drink

GU's and Gels

Power Bars and Clif Bars

Hand sanitation stations

Follow only the BLUE Superior Hiking Trail blazes and SHT markers for "Main Trail". Spur or Loop Trails are marked with White Blazes. If you find yourself not seeing Blue Blazes, backtrack until you see Blue again (then make sure to head EAST, up the shore, towards downtown Duluth!).  

Maps will be provided and are available on the Superior Hiking Trail website.

The Finish of the Grand Traverse 2021 will be at Bayfront Festival Park.  Follow the finisher signs to your destination...time to kick up your feet and relax!

All finishers received a 2021 Grand Traverse Dry-Zone t-shirt, men’s and women’s styles.

This event is chipped timed and results will be available as soon as the first finisher crosses the line.

All those completing the Grand Traverse receive a finishers rock.  What a Rock?  It is tradition that those finishing the 27 mile Grand Traverse receive a rock created by a local artist.  Rocks are awarded at the finish line and at the recognition celebration. 

Safety is important because of the rugged nature of the Superior Hiking Trail. Each aid station is also a check in spot for hikers/runners. We do this to ensure participants are progressing in a timely manner and to ensure no one is lost. Each station is stocked with everything you need for minor bumps, bruises, pain medication and of course blisters. We also will have a sweeper and first aid officials hiking along the course to ensure safety.  
 

Participants who are doing the  longer treks are expected to maintain a 3 mile pace throughout the course. If a participant has not arrived at an Aid Station prior to the cutoff times the aid station will not close until contact has been made.  The participant will be given the option to be shuttled to the finish located at Bayfront Festival Park or shuttled ahead on the course.

Aid Station #1  at  21 Miles    9:30AM

Aid Station #2 at  17 Miles     11:30AM

Aid Station #3 at  10 Miles      2:30PM

Aid Station #4 at  4 Miles       4:45PM