General Information
Walking
This is an event designed for walkers. We welcome all walkers, including, but not limited to, fitness walkers, power walkers, nordic walkers, racewalkers, hikers, walk/runners and even, gasp, even ordinary walkers.
We ask that all participants walk. There are lots of marathons for runners. If you want to run a marathon in central Minnesota at about this time of year, consider the Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon.
We will have walking judges on the course. If the judges report anyone as running, we will move them into the walk/run category, no matter what category they registered.
For those that register in the racewalk category, the walking judges are also there to enforce the rules of racewalking. The USATF rulebook defines racewalking: "Racewalking is a progression of steps so taken that the walker makes contact with the ground so that no visible (to the human eye) loss of contact occurs. The advancing leg must be straightened (i.e., not bent at the knee) from the moment of first contact with the ground until the leg is in the vertical upright position."
For those that register in the Nordic walk category, we leave it up to you to use the Nordic walking poles in an appropriate manner. We will check that you have one or two walking poles at the start.
For those of you that register in the walk/run category, we ask that you note that this is a walk/run category, not a run/walk category. If you really are going to be running a majority of the time, then please enter another marathon. There are lots of marathons for runners. If you want to run a marathon in central Minnesota at about this time of year, consider the Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon.
How slow can you go?
For the marathon and the 50km, the time limit is 9 hours - from the 7am start to 4pm course close. That means you have to maintain a pace of about 20 min/mile for the marathon or 17 min/mile for 50km to complete in under 9 hours.
For the half marathon, the time limit is 7.5 hours - from the 8:30am start to the 4pm course close. That means you have to maintain a pace of about 34 min/mile to complete in under 7.5 hours.
Water stops and Aid Stations are kept open and fully stocked for everyone.
How fast can you go?
You can go as fast as you can, as long as you are walking.
Elite racewalkers will walk a marathon in about 3 hours. While we don't expect anyone of that caliber to come, we will have the water stops open in time for the fastest racewalkers that come. We expect that to be about 4.5 hours for the marathon but we will easily adapt to faster paces if needed as the race progresses.
Packet Pickup
On Friday, just prior to race day, you may pickup your packet at the site of the Pre-Race dinner from 5pm-8pm.
On Saturday, race day, you may pickup your packet at the Lake Wobegon Trail trailhead building, 572 College Ave in St Joseph starting at 5am. Please allow ample time to pickup your packet before the bus to the start leaves.
Pre-Race Dinner
The pre-race pasta dinner will be hosted by the College of St Benedict at 6pm the evening before the race. Both meat and vegetarian dishes will be available. Cost is $10 per person. Participants and guests are welcome. You may purchase dinner tickets during registration. The college selects the location of the pre-race dinner only a few days before the race. They post signs at the entrances to campus to direct you to the appropriate location.
Airports
The closest airport is in St Cloud, MN (airport code STC). There are only 4 flights per day into STC, and the planes are small, so book early. STC is about 15 miles (30 minutes) away from St Joseph (map). If you need shuttle service between STC and the college dorms and the finish line, request it by sending an e-mail to info@walkonmn.org
The nearby major airport is in Minneapolis / St. Paul (airport code MSP). MSP is a major hub. MSP is 86 miles from St Joseph (map).
Local Transportation & Rental Cars
St. Joseph is in rural Minnesota with almost non-existent public transportation. You will most likely need to have access to a car. Rental cars are available at the airports (STC and MSP).
Lodging
St Joseph is a small town, with very limited commercial lodging. St Cloud is a larger town nearby with more housing alternatives.
We recommend staying in the dorm rooms of the College of St Benedict in St Joseph, MN the evening before the race. The college provides full linen service, including sheets, pillow, blankets, towels, wash cloth, soap and drinking glass. The college is very accommodating about late checkouts. In 2009 people were able to shower after the race! Reserve your room online, directly from the College of St Benedict.
Race Day Parking + Bus Transportation
Parking at the start lines is very limited. There is ample parking at the finish line, adjacent to the trailhead building, 572 College Ave in St Joseph. There is no transportation available from the finish line back to the start to pickup a parked vehicle after the race. There is no transportation from the finish line back to the college parking lots..
We recommend that you use the optional bus transportation to the start. Cost is $2. The bus will pick you up from the trailhead building and take you to your starting line.
The bus to the marathon start line and the 50km leaves at 6am targeting a 6:40am arrival in Melrose. The bus to the half marathon start line leaves at 7:30am targeting an 8am arrival in Albany.
Emergencies
Please bring your cell phone and carry it with you to use in case of emergencies. While we don't expect any emergencies, we realize they are by nature unexpected, and it is good to be ready. The course is through rural Minnesota. Often your only companions will be the soft rustle of the wind and other walkers. We will provide you with 2 cell phone numbers - one to contact race management and the second to contact the Lake Wobegon Trail emergency response team. If you are at an Aid Station, contact an Aid Station worker.
The Weather
The weather in Minnesota is quite variable in May. It could be 30 degrees and windy, or 70 degrees and sunny. Be sure to check the predicted weather for St Joseph, MN 56374 before you decide what to wear on race day.
Spectators
There are several good opportunities for spectators to interact with participants along the course. The prime locations are in each of the towns: Melrose, Freeport, Albany, Avon, and St Joseph. The Lake Wobegon Trail is on an old railroad track, which is on most road maps.
The start of the half marathon is adjacent to a residential neighborhood. Take special care to be considerate of the residents if you come to the half marathon start.
We ask that spectators use extreme caution if they select another location. Off-street parking is not available along the country roads, and road shoulders are narrow or non-existent. This is especially true at Collegeville. It may look like a town on the map, but it is not even a wide spot in the road.
The Start
The marathon and 50km will start at 7am in Melrose. The half marathon starts at 8:30am in Albany.
The Course
All events are held on the Lake Wobegon® Regional Trail. More detail
The Finish
The finish is at mile marker 82 on the Lake Wobegon Regional Trail, on the north edge of St Joseph. There will be a post race goodies in the trail head building, 572 College Ave in St Joseph, just a 100 meters down the trail.
Awards
Every finisher will receiver a We Walk! Marathon commemorative medal at the finish.
Questions?
Contact race director Dave Daubert.