Being a bit lazy I was wondering about running for fewer than 24 (or even 12) hours. I'd pay the full entry fee. Would that be OK?
Absolutely. You are free to run/walk any distance or number of hours you desire. And, since 2002, with the addition of the 12 hour event, it has been easier for everyone to compete for awards. The 12 hour event is treated as a separate race from the 24 hour, with separate results and awards.

Can you tell me more about the awards?
In the 24 hour event, the top five female and top five male runners earn awards, as well as the top three walkers, regardless of gender. In the 12 hour event, the top three male and top three female runners, and the top walker, regardless of gender, will earn awards. In addition, we offer unique Director's Awards, named for each member of the race committee producing the event, to honor more unusual achievements. Among others, these awards recognize the most notable medical story, the couple achieving the highest combined mileage, and the runner who comes closest to the magic 100 mile mark.

What time do the events start?
The 24 hour starts at 8:00 am on Saturday, and ends at 8:00 am on Sunday. The 12 hour participants start at 8:00 am on Saturday, and finish at 8:00 pm on Saturday with plenty of time to get home, get some sleep, and actually be conscious during the post-race breakfast.

I sometimes (ok, often) tend to go out too fast, and then bonk. Can I start the 24 hour event, and then decide to switch to the 12 hour event before 8:00 pm?
Sorry! You'll need to decide which event you want to enter, sign up for that event, and deal with your decision. Once again, you will need to strategize and decide wisely. Remember that this is one event that has no finish line, and even on a bad day you can't DNF. If circumstances arise that force a change in your plans, we'll allow switching from the 24 to the 12 hour event until May 27.

When and where are packet pickup and the pre-race dinner?
Packet pickup, weigh-in, and the pre-race dinner are from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday at the Nokomis Community Center, 2401 E Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis, MN. Some of the students and volunteers from the FANS project will be serving dinner. We hope you all will come to the pre-race dinner and perhaps meet some of the students you are supporting by participating in this event.

Weigh-in?!?
We take the health and safety of our participants seriously, and require a weight check before the event as a baseline, then mandatory weigh-ins every 4 hours. Our medical staff will use this in part to monitor your condition race day, and if necessary suggest measures you should take to get back to normal before getting back to pounding out miles. You're free to request a weight check at any time during the race if you're concerned about your condition.

What is the cost of the dinner?
Dinner is $10 per person, and includes a variety of pasta dishes (both meat and meatless), bread, salad, dessert, and beverages.

Where can I stay overnight?
Snelling Lake is located directly east of M/SP airport and the Mall of America. For information regarding hotels and motels in the area, please visit digitalcity.com. Suggestion: look for motels in St. Paul. More accommodation information is given in the pre-race booklet sent to all participants prior to race weekend.

Can I pitch my tent at the race site on Friday night?
No, Snelling Lake is not an overnight use state park. Normally, camping is not allowed at all. We have a permit which allows camping Saturday night only in conjunction with the race.

How do I get to the race site?
The race starts on the east end of Snelling Lake (see the map in your pre-race packet).

Where do I park at the race site?
There are large lots directly east of the Aid Station 1/medical/lap counting complex (also known as Downtown Tent City) that will accommodate all participants and volunteers. See the pre-race booklet for more details.

What if I don't have a tent but need a place to store my gear?
There will be a communal tent and tables under a canopy where you can stash your belongings. This is not a secure area; please do not plan to store valuables here.

What is the course like?
Reasonably flat with sections on packed dirt/gravel and asphalt circling a lake. There are open areas with grass, and trees provide shade on much of the loop. The course is free of vehicular traffic, but open to other pedestrians, dogs, roller-bladers, cyclists, and other aficionados of urban exercise. While we're right next to a major highway, the light levels on the course loop probably won't be sufficient to ensure your safe footing during nighttime hours; headlamps are highly encouraged. And watch out for deer!

What is the distance of each loop?
We will have certified distances by race weekend – once the snow melts and we can get out and measure. Walking the course with a GPS gave us 2.2 miles, the Fort Snelling State Park website says the loop is 3 miles; we'll post updated information as it's available. The race will start with an out-and-back leg, after which loops around the lake begin. The initial out-and-back stretch will allow us to give accurate 100 mile splits at the start/finish area. During the final hour, there is an optional short lap, an out-and-back course of 0.25 miles, that allows participants to accrue mileage until 12:00:00 or 24:00:00 hours without worrying whether they can make it all the way around the lake one more time.

What foods, in general, will be available at the race?
The assortment of food and beverages will vary during the day and will include: sports drink, defizzed pop, water, coffee, fruit, sweet and salty snacks, yogurt, bagels, sandwiches, soup, and more, PLUS pizza in the early evening and again at midnight. We try to keep our 24-hour smorgasbord varied and appealing as the long hours wear on.

When will awards be presented?
There will be a post-race awards breakfast on Sunday morning immediately following the completion of the 24 hour race. Most likely it will be held al frexco at the lake, more details will be given in the pre-race booklet.. Our motto: Keep it short – we're all tired.

What is the cost of the breakfast?
The breakfast is free to runners, crew, friends, and volunteers. Of course, if you'd like to make a donation we won't reject it. More money for the scholarship fund!

What will the weather be like?
Prepare for both hot or cool weather: we've had just about everything but snow since we started this madness in 1990. It's most likely to be warm with humidity.

This is a fund-raiser for a college scholarship fund, right? Will I need to shake down my friends and family if I get pledges?
Short answer: No. Long answer: We'll collect the information about who and how much from you before the race. After we have mileages nailed down post-race we'll send invoices to your sponsors. You don't have to get involved in strong-arming anyone unless you want to.

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