June 10-11, 2023: Spirit Mountain: Duluth, MN
LAST
RUNNER STANDING
New in 2023
Last
Runner
STARTING!
Will you be the LAST RUNNER STANDING?
TAKING PLACE:
12:00 p.m.
June 10, 2023
Spirit Mountain Recreation Area
Duluth, MN 55808
Our 2019 LAST RUNNER STANDING course record, with a record distance of 129.27 miles and 31 races - Brandon Johnson of Barnum, MN!
See all the Results on our Results page
Who will be the LAST RUNNER STANDING?
The Last Runner Standing is a unique event for runners of all abilities, but only the strongest among them will be the LAST RUNNER STANDING. The race will be begin at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday June 10 and each runner will have exactly one hour to complete the 4.2 mile loop. If a runner fails to return within the hour, they are eliminated from the race. Runners can complete the course at whatever pace they choose, but they MUST finish the race and be ready to start the next race within 60 minutes. A new 4.2 mile race will begin every hour on the hour (12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and so on…) until only one runner is left standing. If a runner fails to make it to the start line at the top of the hour, that runner is eliminated. What will YOUR strategy be? Will you run the loop hard and reserve time for rest, or take your time, conserve your energy on the trail and only take a few minutes to rest before the next race begins? This race may not favor the speedster, but the runner who is slow and steady. WHO will be the LAST RUNNER STANDING?
LAST RUNNER STARTING - 8.2 miles:
9:00 a.m. - Spirit Mountain Rec. Area
LAST RUNNER LEAVING - 4.2 miles:
9:30 a.m. - Spirit Mountain Rec. Area
New in 2023! LAST RUNNER STARTING! A format unique to Minnesota but patterned after the oldest trail running race in the United States - The Dipsea Race! The Dipsea was first run in 1905 in the Marin Headlands of California. The Examiner proclaimed The Dipsea, "the greatest cross-country run that was ever held in this or any other country." The Dipsea is an age-graded race with staggered starts allowing literally anyone to win the race. The LAST RUNNER STARTING will utilize The Dipsea headstarts from 2022. The very youngest and oldest runners will start at 9:00 a.m. and have a 25 minute head start over the "scratch" runners. Each age group will then start every minute until we reach the "scratch" runners who will have to pass the entire field if they hope to win! The LAST RUNNER STARTING course will be TWO LAPS of of the scenic and challenging 4.2 mile loop that the LAST RUNNER STANDING runners follow for a total of 8.2 miles. Come see if the LAST RUNNER STARTING can win!
Also NEW in 2023 is the one lap LAST RUNNER LEAVING! This is simply a ONE LAP race of the 4.2 mile LAST RUNNER STANDING course. In an effort to make the event more inclusive we are adding two new races so everyone can participate. Come and join the fun! Go for the ultimate challenge to become the LAST RUNNER STANDING, see if you can WIN as the LAST RUNNER STARTING or try to come out ahead at the LAST RUNNER LEAVING! See you all in 2023!
The race is Classic Duluth! A scenic loop including very runnable stretches, singletrack climbing along lovely Kingsbury creek and its many waterfalls, and a traverse across the slope of Spirit Mountain providing tremendous views of the City of Duluth, Lake Superior and its harbor. Even though you may complete multiple 4.2 mile races, you shouldn’t tire of this scenic course.
THE RACE
While you may not end up the LAST RUNNER STANDING, unique awards will be presented to runners based on the number of races they complete. Every runner will receive a race t-shirt. Can you be one of the select few to complete 100 miles on this scenic, challenging course? How many races can YOU complete before you can continue no longer? The race itself will continue as long as it takes to determine the LAST RUNNER STANDING.
The race headquarters tent will provide typical ultra snacks and drinks and warm food and soup as the day turns to evening. Along with race results, headquarters will provide a chance to mingle and share stories from the trail with your running friends and also a chance to catch up on rest between races. Runners will have access to aid after each 4.2 mile race.
The LAST RUNNER STANDING provides a great opportunity to challenge yourself in a unique event unlike others you may have participated in before. It's also a great opportunity to get in a long training run with support, cover a marathon or 50 mile or even, if you have what it takes.....be the LAST RUNNER STANDING.
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Days until LAST RUNNER STANDING
CONTACT US
For other questions and comments email adventurerunning@gmail.com