The Status of these Races will be Updated as the changes are made. Complete information and details of each Race as well as the Safety Precautions and COVID-19 Protocol for each race can be found at runragnar.com
This Race Status Update Page is NOT AFFILIATED with RAGNAR RELAYS in any way…
Have you ever wanted to chase bigfoot…? Have you ever wanted to run a lot…? Well this first running of the Chasing Bigfoot 75k may be just for you…!
This run will start at the trailhead of the Gandy Dancer Trail in Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin and go the whole southern section to Danbury, Wisconsin…!
We will be self supporting of the most part of the race… Each runner will have a crew for themselves or a crew designated for them… The race will provide each crew vehicle with water and limited food… Each runner will run their own distance and their crew will support them along the route… While the crew is waiting for their runner, if another runner appears and support isn’t there for them, share the race provided water and/ or food… We are all out here for the same thing and each of us can and should help support each other…
Let race command know what your intended mileage goal is prior to the start and a phone number/ contact for your crew- this will ensure contact is available throughout the race for updates and communication…!
Maps of the route will be coming… The trail has road crossings and intersections that make for simple support from the runner’s crew… Pacers are allowed and bicycles may be used for pacing and crewing but must obtain a Trail Day Pass if the rider is over 16 years of age…
There will be a 13 hour time limit for the full 75k route… This means we will consider the race finished and proceed with the festivities and relaxation after the race… Anyone still on the trail is welcome to finish in their own time, or be picked up and brought to the finish area for post race activities…
Race will start at 6:00am on August 30th… Finish at 7:00pm August 30th…
Thank you for your planned participation in this inaugural running of the Chasing Bigfoot 75k…!
Any questions, please visit the Facebook Event Page for updates and information and/ or email: chasingbigfootraces@gmail.com
I love seeing other runners performing and accomplishing goals and finding their strengths. I love to watch a runner dig in and find what it takes to finish and maybe more importantly, to see them find what it takes to start. If you don’t get to the starting line, you surely won’t make it to the finish line.
I’m participating in races virtually like we all are. I see people with a lot of miles already under their feet and I see many with no miles logged. Knowing I can not catch up to the runners ahead of me is something I think about and try to keep from interfering with the mile I have yet to go. Being comfortable with my position in the race isn’t complacency towards being motivated to continue to push ahead. Accepting the fact that participating and accomplishing my goal is my goal, not yours.
I was running the last leg of a virtual Northwest Passage Ragnar Relay as part of an Ultra team yesterday. I had already run 32.7 miles when I went out in the middle of my work day to run the last 5.7 mile leg to finish my part of the 200ish mile Relay. My legs were a little heavy and I was a little tired after a long night of running since I had a 16 mile run at midnight the night before. I chose familiar route that I’ve run many times on a beautiful Avenue that hosts the final miles of the Twin Cities Marathon. A street lined with mansions and beautiful landscape and views overlooking the river side Capital city of Saint Paul.
Running down the avenue at noon on a Saturday in the middle of July means that it was a popular destination even in the mid 80’s heat. As I was running towards the Saint Paul Cathedral and the State Capital building, I passed numerous runners and walkers out for their miles and experiences. I also was passed by a few runners out chasing their own miles and goals. I heard and then felt the runners behind me as they over took me and passed along beside me and then distanced themselves in front of me. My mind wondered how fast they were to be passing me. A couple times I actually felt my pace increase as I momentarily tried to keep the distance between my new leader. I would back off to my usual pace and settle in as I watched them disappear in front of me.
I passed a couple of men that were talking and I felt like one of the men was perhaps, leading or guiding the other, as if he knew the area better or was more comfortable talking. When I passed them I realized that I didn’t know what they may have thought about while I passed them. Did they think I was better, faster, maybe more competitive? I then wondered if they thought I was trying to get past them to make them feel bad. As I continued towards my turnaround point I started to conclude that I had made up the stories about the people that had passed me and about the people I had passed.
I don’t really know what others were doing during my run. Were they out for their very first run, their first long run? Maybe they just had a medical procedure or surgery and coming back from illness or injury. The bottom line is that we were all out there running on their own. We each had our own motivation. I felt very slow at times yet was passing people for a lot of my 5.7 miles. “Comparison is the Thief of Joy” came to mind. While I spent less than an hour running down that avenue, I spent too much time being in front of other runners or being behind other runners. I did enjoy the run as well as I did feel great as I knew I had just finished over 38 miles for my overnight relay.
I’m glad I can see clearer sometimes that I am decent and can run as well as some and may never win any of the races. I’m grateful that seeing myself as myself can be enlightening. As long as I can continue to go out and keep moving, I will continue to go forward. I may always be running ahead of someone and I may always be running behind someone, as long as I’m moving. No need to compare oranges and watermelons. It’s my race, my run. I wish you luck and health on your run. I’ll see you out there.
Well here we are 2 weeks in and have a combined mileage of around 1,151.55 miles run!
I wasn’t sure how this race would play out exactly with participants and interest and mileage. A lot of runners are participating in various virtual races for various organizations and reasons. I knew i wanted a longer term race for longer term motivation. Not everyone can or will dedicate themselves or challenge themselves to attempt <5 miles a day for a year. Some are still trying to get 5 miles a week or 5 runs a month. Luckily this is ok because we all have our own races to run.
We have runners and walkers that are just getting up and out and moving. 5 miles a day, when intentional, can be a challenge. This means anywhere from 30 minutes for some to an hour and a half for others. It really doesn’t matter in the long run (ha) because you have a year to finish. All you have to do is go out once a week, or twice, for 1-2 hours and do a little catching up.
So the idea being if you want to move, you will move. You can decide where you’re moving to. Are you moving towards a finish? An end? Are you moving towards something new, something you have always wanted to be or be near? It’s up to you. Get up, get dressed and go outside. Or stay inside if it’s oppressive heat and you have a treadmill! But get up and out and get moving!
A very special thank you to everyone that is participating and sharing this event to include as many people as are interested!
As many runners are still joining and others have actually broken 100 miles covered already, here are the first 390 miles of border towns we are headed to or been through!
Well the runners have spoken and the RAM has heard you! We will be offering a Team option within the next few days. Individual runners will still accumulate miles towards themselves, but will be added to their team total. More to come on registering as a Solo runner that will be part of a Team. Some runners have felt skeptical about finishing in time running Solo. The Team option will help calm some nerves and possibly let you convince some friends and family to join you on the Run Around Minnesota! Stay tuned for more! Also the course route will be added around 100 miles at a time. Until then, here is the link to Register for the RAM:
Have you ever run in Minnesota? Have you ever wanted to run somewhere else?
Here’s your chance to Run Around Minnesota, here or there or everywhere!
Since virtual races are the new normal for 2020 or at least this first half of the year, we have created a year (plus) long race to appease the virtual runner in you.
This race is 1783 miles long and you have a year to complete it!
Take a long trip around the border of Minnesota and visit border towns along the way. Starting not far from the Capitol of the state, take a tour from the Saint Croix River between Minnesota and Wisconsin, northerly until you reach the Great Lake Superior! Run along Superior up to the border of Canada and say hello to our northern neighbors. Follow the border along beautiful state parks and the wilderness within view of Ontario and Manitoba Provinces. Heading west until reaching the corners of Mn-Canada-North Dakota. We turn south to run the course along the borders of both North and South Dakota. Near Sioux Falls we make an easterly turn and follow the Iowa border along the southern section of the course in Minnesota near Hayshore Lake and BadAxe River. Once we reach the Mississippi River we turn north again where we head northwest towards the start of the race in Saint Paul!
Once you cross the finish line, enjoy some great food and beverages at any number of local eateries and breweries. Congratulations!!
The race is intended to start today, Father’s Day and continue until Father’s Day 2021. I would add that the only real DNF that will be issued will be you dropping out or a DQ. This race will likely continue after the deadline until it becomes too troublesome to keep tracking! So unofficially over a year.
All intentional miles count: walk, run, hike. No counting steps counted throughout a normal workday, shopping, around the house, etc. Please abide by this rule. The honor system. This race can be completed with an average of just under 5 miles per day, 4.88 to be exact.
It’s you and the course, it’s just yours. Do it how you Do it.
Have fun. Challenge yourself. Challenge a friend.
Dare to RUN AROUND MINNESOTA!
This Race is $30 (US currency)
You begin tracking mileage the moment you sign up and pay registration! No mileage prior to registration day and payment are allowed.
The $30 gets you a race shirt, a bib # (printable bib coming) and a finisher medal! And A LOT of RUNNING, walking, community support and wisdom. Any public remarks made in poor taste will be removed and author dealt with.
Form a group to encourage and compete and help to the finish line. Follow the Facebook page for updates and info.
Each day or each time you log your miles you will need your name and bib ID in order to access the entry page. Please enter your mileage in MILES. There will NOT be a converter on staff! Updates will be made daily unless it becomes enough to make every other day. Do not be concerned if your mileage isn’t instantly uploaded to your totals.
If interest builds, and because of year round running, walking and hiking, we will add options for long sleeved shirts, hoodies and more gear options. It’s a LONG RACE!
This race is brought to you by myself and the help from my brother, John , Chasing Bigfoot Races, Saint Paul Area Running Club and movingandbeingstill.com
Also a special thank you to those that help, support and tolerate us.
Please use the hashtags: #RunAroundMinnesota #RAMN #MABSRAM
And of course all of you, THE RUNNERS! and the walkers and hikers.
FAQS
Q: When does it start?
A: June 21, 2020
Q: When does it end?
A: June 20, 2021-ish
Q: What miles count?
A: Intentional miles while running, walking or hiking. NO steps from your daily routine or biking, elliptical machine or stair master. Treadmill miles DO count.
Q: How can i run that far?
A: One step at a time. Average just under 5 miles a day for a year. It’s going to take a while, be consistent. And breathe. There are literally 363 tomorrows in this race.
Q: I’m running another race, do those miles count?
A: It’s an honor system. Please remember that. Don’t cheat, yourself or others or us. If miles and logging become suspect or absurd, we will contact the logger and investigate.
Q: Where am i?
A: Posted map. There will be cities and towns and their info at various mileage markers throughout the Run Around Minnesota!
Q: What do i do when i finish?
A: We will see the mileage once you cross the finish line at 1783 miles! we will notify you and acknowledge you on Social Media and tell the World what you’ve accomplished!
movingandbeingstill 