New Start Location for 50K - Turnaround for 100K!

[caption id="attachment_449" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="View from Oldenburg Point"][/caption]

We're excited to announce a new start and turnaround location for the Wild Duluth 50K and 100K!  While we absolutely loved Chambers Grove as a start location, we worried about the long term sustainability of using undeveloped trails and the steep slope leading out of Chambers Grove.

Our new 50K starting line and 100K turnaround will be located at Oldenburg Point picnic area within Jay Cooke State Park.  There are a lot of great things to note about this change.  Here are the top 10 cool things about the new Wild Duluth 50K start:

1. Runners will get on the Superior Hiking Trail almost right away.  A short 1/4 mile spur trail from the picnic area will lead you right to the Superior Hiking Trail where you will follow the blue blazes and signs all the way to the finish at Bayfront!


2. Runners will be on developed trail...no more bushwhacking.  Although the bushwhacking is fun, it can't be as sustainable and environmentally friendly over the long term


3. The 50K start is sort of flat, rolling and downhill.  No more steep climbing right from the start.  The old start would have been terribly slippery and potentially dangerous if we get bad weather.  While it might be a little longer, the terrain is easier to run.


4. The new start section makes the trail almost exactly 50K.  Last year really was short by a mile or two.


5. The new start includes the Gill Creek Trail - one of the funnest, switchbacky trails in the area


6. The new start also includes the Grand Portage Trail where it drops steeply down to cross Hwy 210.  The views from this trail are amazing and it's a really cool trail!


7. The view from the point is great (you have to walk just a bit to see it)


8. The parking is good (not quite as large as Chambers Grove though)


9. There are toilets available at the site (we'll probably add a couple more)


10. No more out-and-back sections down to the zoo aid station (Kingsbury Creek) or into the Grand Portage aid station!  You stay on the main trail and don't drop down to the zoo anymore.  We've added an aid station at the base of Spirit Mountain to replace the Kingsbury Creek aid station at the zoo.  Also, you run right through the Grand Portage aid station now, so no out-and-back there either!


11. Bonus cool thing - No more powerlines!

We'll be adding new maps and elevation profiles to reflect the new start soon!