Superior Fall Trail Race
Lutsen, Minnesota, MN
A pilgrimage-worthy, brutally technical North Shore classic — one of America's oldest and toughest 100-milers, beautiful enough to justify the suffering.
- When
- September 11, 2026
- Distances
- 100 Mile · 50 Mile · Marathon
- Surface
- Trail
- Course
- Point-to-point
- Elevation gain
- 17,350 ft
- Altitude
- 600 ft–2,000 ft
- Weather
- Cool
- Nearest airport
- DLH
- Suggested trip
- 3 nights
Score breakdown
8.3/10Strong. A strong destination race with real appeal.
Also worth knowing (not weighted)
Editorial score (v0.1) — full method on How we score. Never affected by sponsorships.
Weather
| Month | Avg high / low | Band |
|---|---|---|
| September | 51–61°F | Cool |
Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.
Route & course
100 Mile
Point-to-point · Trail · starts 8:00 AM- Elev gain
- 17,350 ft
- Elev loss
- 17,350 ft
- High point
- 2,000 ft
- Low point
- 600 ft
- Start and finish are in different locations
- Plan shuttle, drop-off, or two-car logistics
- Conditions can differ from start to finish
38-hour cutoff. 13 aid stations. 95% technical single-track. Final mile routes up Lutsen Mountain ski hill before descending to Caribou Highlands Lodge finish. Average finish time historically ~34 hours. Course records: Neal Collick 18:56:02 (M), Gretchen Metsa 21:54:10 (F).
50 Mile
Point-to-point · Trail · starts 5:15 AM- Elev gain
- 7,950 ft
- Elev loss
- 7,950 ft
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Start and finish are in different locations
- Plan shuttle, drop-off, or two-car logistics
- Conditions can differ from start to finish
16h 45m cutoff. 7 aid stations. 95% technical single-track. Qualifying standard: must have finished at least one 50K or longer trail race. Shuttle from Caribou Highlands included.
Marathon
Point-to-point · Trail · starts 8:00 AM- Elev gain
- 4,050 ft
- Elev loss
- 4,050 ft
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Start and finish are in different locations
- Plan shuttle, drop-off, or two-car logistics
- Conditions can differ from start to finish
14-hour cutoff. 3 aid stations. Added to fall lineup in 2004. Known as the Moose Mountain Marathon. Final mile routed onto Lutsen Mountain ski hill. Shuttle from Caribou Highlands included.
Travel
- Base town
- Lutsen
- Nearest airport
- DLH · 105 min
- Rental car
- Recommended
- Rideshare
- Limited
- Lodging
- Good
- Facilities
- Limited
- Trip length
- 3 nights
- Travel complexity
- 7/10
Point-to-point course
You finish in a different place than you start, so plan for transport back to your car or lodging.
Lutsen is remote Cook County — no rideshare, limited lodging that books fast around race weekend, and a ~1.75-hour drive from the nearest regional airport. Point-to-point courses require shuttle coordination.
Caribou Highlands Lodge is race HQ and the most convenient base; book immediately after lottery confirmation. Grand Marais (~20 min NE) offers additional lodging and dining options. Race-provided shuttles handle start-line transport.
Best for / avoid if
Best for
- experienced trail ultrarunners seeking a prestigious bucket-list 100-miler
- runners who love boreal forest and Lake Superior scenery
- athletes comfortable with rugged rocky/rooty single-track
- fall foliage chasers
- Experienced trail/ultra runners
- Technical trail lovers
- Elevation seeking athletes
Avoid if
- first-time trail runners — qualifying standards exist for a reason
- runners who struggle with technical rocks and roots
- anyone needing a flat, fast course for a PR
- you dislike remote logistics or point-to-point transportation
- You want easy or beginner-friendly courses
- Dislike remote/rugged races
First-timer mistakes
Underestimating the technicality — 95% single-track with relentless roots and rocks destroys road-trained legs far faster than the mileage suggests. Don't arrive without verifying shuttle logistics from Caribou Highlands to your start.
Where to stay, eat & explore
Local picks for the weekend.
- Caribou Highlands Lodge Lodging
Race HQ and finish line. Most convenient base for all distances; books out fast after lottery confirmations.
- Lutsen Mountains Ski Area Activity
Final mile of all race courses now routes up the ski hill; gondola and mountain biking available post-race in September.
- Superior Hiking Trail Activity
The 310-mile trail the entire race is run on; excellent pre/post-race hiking for non-runners and companions.
- Gooseberry Falls State Park Activity
100-mile race start; stunning waterfall park worth a visit for crew and spectators on race day.
- Grand Marais Activity
Charming artist town ~20 min NE of Lutsen with galleries, restaurants, and harbor — ideal non-runner base.
Runner reports
No runner reports yet — ran it? Share the first.
Sign in to add your report.
Race history
Race-trip notes
Lutsen is remote; book Caribou Highlands Lodge early as it's race HQ and fills fast. A rental car is essential — the North Shore has no rideshare. Extend the trip for fall foliage along the Gunflint Trail or a visit to Grand Marais.
About this race
Marketed as 'Rugged, Relentless and Remote,' the Superior Fall Trail Race traverses technical single-track through boreal forests, river crossings, and near-2,000-ft peaks with sweeping Lake Superior views. The 100-mile course carries 17,350 ft of gain over 102.9 miles with a 38-hour cutoff; even the marathon offers 4,050 ft of gain on rocky single-track. Entry is by lottery through UltraSignup with qualifying standards required for the longer distances.
Last verified July 1, 2026. Race details can change — always confirm with the official race website.
More races worth traveling for
Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon
Bemidji, Minnesota, MN
Half Marathon · 26K Lake Loop · 10K · 5K · Marathon · Kids Fun Run 1K · Kids Fun Run 1/2K
Grandma's Marathon
Duluth, Minnesota, MN
Marathon · Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon · William A. Irvin 5K · Half Marathon