May 2022

CityTrail Loppet

Urban Trail Run
10K · 5K

The Loppet Foundation :: Events :: Sitka Salmon Shares CityTrail Loppet

Piecing together elements of little-known trails in the Minneapolis area, the Sitka Salmon Shares CityTrail Loppet has earned a reputation as a trail running challenge for those pushing the pace at the front of the pack as well as a great entry event for those looking to try off-pavement running for the first time.

Updates

Register

Registration Coming Soon

Proceeds from the Sitka Salmon Shares CityTrail Loppet benefit the Loppet Foundation. Learn more about the Foundation's mission, vision, and values.

Registration and transaction fees are non-refundable, including in the event of delay, rescheduling, or cancellation of an event or program. An event or program registration is not transferable to another person or another event for any reason, including injury. Participating under another person's name will result in disqualification.

A Note About the Data We Collect

Schedule

To meet COVID-19 guidance, we are anticipating a need to spread out the field and are therefore offering two start times. Note that you will have the option to choose your general start time when you register (8:30am or 10:00am). You will be sent a specific start time the week of the event.

Friday:

4:00pm – 7:00pm: Packet Pickup at The Trailhead turnaround

Saturday:

8:00am – 1:00pm: Packet Pickup at The Trailhead turnaround
8:00am – 7:00pm: 5K Hybrid Event (packets available at The Trailhead)

Sunday:

7:00am – 10:00am: Packet Pickup at the start line.
8:30am: 10K / 5K Timed Event Start (early morning wave)
10:00am: 10K / 5K Timed Event Start (mid-morning wave)
12pm (noon) – 7:00pm: 5K Hybrid Event (packets available at The Trailhead)

Tuesday, May 25:

11:59pm: Hybrid time online submission deadline

Logistics

RaceJoy App

We are partnering with RaceJoy, a mobile app which provides participants with an interactive race experience for running events, whether in-person or virtual. The RaceJoy experience includes Cheer Sending by remote spectators, progress alerts at every mile, automated virtual results submission, and a custom audio experience, and race monitoring tools. For more information on RaceJoy, including a tutorial video, visit RaceJoy’s How-To website.

Below are some of RaceJoy’s features:

Live tracking via GPS which calculates the actual position of the participant’s phone, so your supporters know exactly where you are – no estimations.
Receive progress alerts for yourself and others as you cross milestones along the course. Typically, alerts are sent at EVERY MILE, including location, pace, elapsed time, and estimated finish time.
Your family and friends can send motivational, pre-recorded audio cheer clips or personalized Text-to-Cheer messages to race participants leading up to, during, and after the race.
Automated virtual results submission for the Hybrid 5K, and a GPS map which notifies participants if they accidentally leave the course.

RaceJoy is a GPS-based tracking app that follows your progress in real-time as you run your race. Both the runner and the spectator must download the app, and keep their phones with them.

Download RaceJoy App

Change Your Event

You can change which event you registered for through RunSignUp. Click the button below for a video on how to switch your registration and instructions to help with troubleshooting.

How to change your event registration

Hybrid Format

We want everyone to be able to participate in whatever way works better based on your own health and safety situation. The 5K Hybrid Version is a great option for those looking to maintain maximum social distancing yet still enjoy the official course.

The 5K course will be well-marked. You can also use the map integrated into the RaceJoy app. Beyond that, participants are responsible for knowing where to go. In addition, you need to plan on being self-reliant as there will be no volunteers, course marshals, or aid stations. You will need to carry your food and fuel.

COVID-19

Review the Health Screening Form from the Minnesota Department of Health on race morning. If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home.

At this time, please expect masks to be required to be worn in the start/finish areas, and participants must have a mask on their person at all times.

Transportation

We encourage participants and spectators to bike, walk, or jog on race morning. Bike racks will be available near the finish for the in-person, timed events on Sunday for those who bike to the event. Please bring your own lock.

Parking will be available in the three Wirth Beach parking lots. These lots will likely fill up, so we suggest parking in the neighborhoods near Xerxes and Glenwood. Please make sure you are obeying all posted “no parking” signs, so you avoid being ticketed. You will NOT be able to park in the Bog parking lot, as that is the race start area. Please warm up away from the start area.

Course

Course Map

View the 2021 Course Google Map

Hybrid 5K: Here is a .gpx map file that you can download onto your smart watch/device: CityTrail21-5k.gpx

This is an “urban” trail run and you will encounter a mix of paved and non-paved trails, so wear appropriate footwear. Compared to the fall’s Surly Brewing Co. Trail Loppet, the Sitka Salmon Shares CityTrail Loppet is a bit flatter.

Course Markings

The course will be marked with a combination of blue ribbons, blue arrows, and flour. However, wily critters sometimes pull down our course markings. Particularly for the hybrid event, please let us know if there are sections that seem confusing or might be missing markings. We will check the course frequently but cannot continuously patrol the entire course.

Aid Stations

We will be providing at least some water this year on the course and some basic fuel at the finish.

Course Distances

The course can always change based on spring weather conditions, but for the time being, the 5K is very close to a perfect 5K. However, the “10K” runners have a bonus kilometer with the actual distance coming in at about 11K. Prep yourself mentally and don’t freak out when your watch tells you that you have reached 10K before the finish line. This was necessary to add a little bit of distance in order to have our runners experience new trails.

Course Description

In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, we needed to look at a pseudo-loop course this year instead of our traditional point to point, but in doing so, we have found some trail areas that the Loppet has perhaps not used before while still keeping some of our favorite spots.

The Start

Both races will start near the Bog Parking Lot on Theodore Wirth Pkwy. The in-person 5K/10K will stage in the street while the hybrid 5K will start at the parking lot.

The 5K and the 10K

From the Bog Parking Lot, the 5K splits off almost immediately to do a short loop to the north on the ski and hiking trails before rejoining the 10K course on the Bog Ski Trail Connector going toward the sound wall. The courses then use the hiking trail to head back toward Theodore Wirth Pkwy, cross 394 (stay on the right), and go down the west side of Brownie Lake.

The Split

At the north end of Brownie Lake, the 5K hangs a left, crosses the bridge near the Brownie-Cedar tunnel. The 10K instead hangs a right, heading west on some “new-to-the-Loppet” trails (at least as of recent Loppet event history).

10K Section (5K runners can skip this section)

From the north end of Brownie Lake, the 10K runners head west toward the Sabes Center and cross a pedestrian bridge before looping down to the Cedar Lake Trail and back east toward Cedar Lake. At the NE corner of Cedar Lake, runners are immersed in the beautiful trails of Cedar Lake Park. At the north end of the park, runners will do a short section on Burnham Rd and a full lap around Cedar Lake – with a couple off-pavement sections along the way. Runners will then run up the hill toward the bridge at France, cross the bridge, and take a sharp right, navigating a short a drop and picking up the Brownie Lake trail to the right.

Back Together Again (5K and 10K)

From here, both races join together again for the rest of the course. All runners follow the lesser-known trail on the east side of Brownie back up to 394. The 394 bridge is the only location where there may be some two-way runner traffic (stay on the right). Cross Theodore Wirth Pkwy and head into the Butler section with a couple hills on your way to the backyard of Anwatin School. Head through the Anwatin woods to the NE, pop out on Vincent St, run one block to Chestnut, hang a right for one block and then a left into Bassett Creek park. You will stay on the lower trail in Bassett Creek Park and take a couple of turns to get on the newly-rebuilt trail right next to the creek. Be sure to check out all the graffiti on the abandoned Mill just across the creek! Hang a right to take the trail under Glenwood and stay next to the Creek. Just before the pedestrian bridge, you will hang left and head south to the finish near Glenwood.

The Finish

Both races will finish in JD Gardens (near the Wirth Lake parking lot).

Swag, Awards, & Giveaways

Swag

Those who register by 11:59pm on May 9th will be guaranteed to receive a high visibility Craft tech tee-shirt (see image below). Extras will likely be available after that date and will be distributed to those on a first-come-first-registered basis after the event. Any size changes after this date will also need to be made at the conclusion of the event.

Men’s and Women’s sizing available. Please view the Craft sizing chart for reference before selecting your size at registration.

Giveaways

All registrants will be entered to win a 3-night stay at the beautiful Heartwood Resort in Trego, Wisconsin — perfect for your outdoor adventure getaway. One 10K participant and one 5K participant will be randomly chosen and contacted after the event.

All participants will also have the chance to win a custom fit pair of running shoes supplied by local Minneapolis running store Fit1st Running! One participant will be randomly selected and contacted after the event.

Awards

The overall 1st ($75), 2nd ($50), and 3rd ($25) place runners in both the in-person Male and Female 5K and 10K events will be awarded with gift cards to local Minneapolis running store Fit1st Running!

A “Middle of the Pack” award ($50) will also be given to the Male and Female athletes who finish in the exact middle of their gender’s results for both the in-person 5K and 10K events. If there is an even number of finishers, the “Middle of the Pack” award will go to the slower of the two runners in the tie.

There will not be an awards ceremony in 2021. Once results are finalized, award winners can pick up their awards at the Loppet tent near the finish line. After race day, awards will be available for pick up at The Trailhead’s Customer Service Desk during current open hours for the ticket window. Results, including age group results, will be posted online as available.

Volunteer

The Loppet Foundation needs help in all capacities supporting the athletes as they take to the trails! Please sign up to volunteer by clicking the button below. If you have any questions, please email volunteer@loppet.org.

Sign-Up to Volunteer