Superior(s)50K insights

1. I see that the Superior 50K was founded in 2003. What motivates you to keep it going year after year?

Seeing the impact it has on, and what it means to people makes it all worthwhile.

2. What do you like the best about the course? What do you find most challenging?

That it's on the Superior Hiking Trail! We love our local terrain, you do a hard 300 to 700ft climb, take in a great view, bomb the technical descent, cross a babbling brook, stream or river, and repeat. The climbs, the roots, the rocks and how they break up your running rhythm, you have to stay focused and pace smartly.

3. What is unique about your local running community?

The sense of ownership that our runners take in our events and their community, which manifests in an incredible amount of volunteerism that so many engage in, both at the races and on the trails.

4. Think back over the years...do you have any funny or scary stories about this race you can share?

We have faced really challenging situations, both logistically (floods, forest fires, weather to name a few) and have had a couple of serious medical incidents over the years. While these situations were really difficult, most were not scary due to all of the upfront planning we do, the great team we have around us, and the support we receive from local communities, partners and permitting agencies.

5.  What advice do you have for runners training for a race on the Superior Hiking Trail?

Find similar terrain to train on if you can, run your long runs slow, and don't ignore some interval or speed work as this helps with the relentless short punchy climbs.

6. If the course were a piece of art, would you classify it as a painting, music composition, film or graffiti? Does it remind you of any specific artistic piece/genre?

The complexity and technicality of the course, including the roots, rocks, and steep ups and downs remind me of MC Escher's work.