Fri, Aug 7, 2026

Summit North Trail Runs

Duluth, MN

Registration openAnnual since at least 2024

13.7 Miles3.2 Miles8.5 Miles1.5 Miles

Entry is $15 now and rises to $20 after Aug 1, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Summit North Trail Runs

The course runs through the trail system at Spirit Mountain, a ski area on the western edge of Duluth. Expect real climbing and singletrack that winds through forest. One of the longer routes passes through Ely's Tunnel, a genuine landmark on the trail. The terrain is rooted and uneven underfoot, the kind of running that asks for attention.

The start and finish are at the Spirit Mountain chalet on Grand Avenue. Parking is on site, with a gravel lot and a large grass overflow area. Aid stations on the longer courses carry fruit and soda in addition to the standard hydration.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

13.7 Miles · 2025 results

85finishers

1:41:17winner

2:49:25median

4:19:17cutoff

Top 3: Matthew Braithwaite (1:41:17) · John Hottinger (1:49:35) · Denly Lindeman (1:50:33)

8.5 Miles · 2025 results

58finishers

1:15:26winner

1:46:55median

3:01:23cutoff

Top 3: Grant Sparstad (1:15:26) · Sarah Nelson (1:16:24) · Dave Lane (1:25:39)

3.2 Miles · 2025 results

30finishers

28:42winner

48:42median

1:20:07cutoff

Top 3: Lucas Bauer (28:42) · Paige Orcutt (33:21) · Erin Durkee (39:34)

1.5 Miles · 2025 results

26finishers

11:19winner

16:24median

29:27cutoff

Top 3: Denly Lindeman (11:19) · John Hottinger (11:28) · Ryan Soule (12:43)

The Summit North Trail Runs has been held every year since at least 2024. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 13.7 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

13.7 Miles8/8/2026 07:30$65

3.2 Miles8/8/2026 08:15$40

8.5 Miles8/8/2026 08:00$55

1.5 Miles8/7/2026 17:00$15

Going for a Time?

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Common Questions About the Summit North Trail Runs

Will I finish last at the Summit North Trail Runs?

Almost certainly not. Half the 13.7 Miles field finished slower than 2:49:25, and the last recorded finisher came in around 4:19:17, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Summit North Trail Runs a good first 13.7 Miles?

It is a small race (85 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 13.7 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Summit North Trail Runs?

The 13.7 Miles winner ran 1:41:17 while the median finisher took 2:49:25. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.