We are looking forward to another great pair of races at Chester Woods this year. The staff at the park has been working hard on the trail system and Fred, Larry and I are trying to secure enough goodies to make it a fun day for all the runners. Last year in the first part of the race the trail was new and rough due to a change in the trail route now that part will be broken in better because its been part of a groomed ski trail this winter. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that they have added a lot more wood chips to certain parts of the trail. I heard that last year some runners waded into the water at the boat landing to cool off their legs, that's great, but there is a beach near the registration area with fewer weeds in the water. I also wanted to remind runners that the showers in the beach house are open to us as well as the showers in the campground.

We got off to a good start last year and I think there is enough room to accommodate a lot more runners

 

 

Race Date:  June 7th

Start Time:  10 mile 8:00 AM

5k shortly after the 10 mile

 

Race Address: Chester Woods County Park, 8378 Highway 14 East. 7 miles east or Rochester.

There is a $ 5.00 entry fee to enter the park

 

Awards: Turned black walnut pens to all age group winners, plus a matching pencil to overall male and female winners. This year we will have a pencil holder to hold your pens/pencils also.

Age divisions are 19 and under,20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over.

 

Entry Fee: $ 15.00, there will be an embroidered cap, if you register early, we have a limited number and when they are gone, they're gone

 

Registration:

Online: http://www.events.runningroom.com/site/?raceId=3564

Mail: Or you can download a form and mail it to:

Larry Pederson

2247 Nordic Ct NW

Rochester, MN 55901

 

Race Contacts:  Jim Mason 507-951-2415, jmason@greenway.coop,

                           Larry Pederson 507-288-5691

                           Fred Woolman 507-286-8648

 

Course Description: The 10 mile run starts in front of picnic shelter # 1 you will run a short distance down the road and turn onto the Kisro trail this is a 1 1/2 mile loop around a meadow. Then you will run through the campground area and take a left onto a asphalt trail that runs along the lake, the Chester Lake trail. After about 1/2 mile you will here the cheers of the 5k runners as you run by the beach house and onto a soft wood chip trail that takes you out to the park entrance road. You will then take a left onto a gravel road that takes you through the horse trailer parking area. You will soon take a left and head on to another wood chip trail that will take you to the rim of a breathtaking valley, here the 5k and 10 mile courses split. 10 milers go right and run along the Prairie Ridge trail you will run through a series of woods and prairies until you cross a bridge over Bear Creek and come to the aid station at mile 6. Up to this part the hills are pretty small; after passing the aid station you will make a loop on the Zieman Loop trail at 6 3/4 miles you will climb a long hill to view the Bear Creek valley from the other side. You will then enter a Aspen grove and back into the woods, down a long hill, where then you will pass runners for about 1/2 mile back by the 6 mile aid station, which is now the aid station at 7 1/2 miles. Now it gets interesting, you are on the South Sand Prairie trail, watch your step the footing can be rough. After you pass the 8 mile mark you will dive down a short hill to run on soft sand for about 100 yards, then back into the woods. After re-crossing Bear Creek, hold on, you are about to climb the Big Dam Hill. This is a series of switch backs that takes you to the dam overlook area. At the top is an aid station, get a cool drink and enjoy the spectacular view of the Bear Creek reservoir. From here its almost all downhill back to the finish area. 

Once the 5k runners get done cheering on the last 10 miler they will start right in front of the registration area. After a short run across the parking lot you will take a right at the beach house. Then you will continue along the Chester Lake trail on a wood chip path that follows the lake shore out to the road by the park entrance. You will then take a left onto a gravel road that takes you through the horse trailer parking area.. You will soon take a left and head onto another wood chip trail that takes you out to the rim of a breathtaking valley. Here the 5k and 10 mile courses split. You will go left to the dam overlook where the 1 1/2 mile aid station is. Have a cool drink and enjoy the spectacular view of the Bear Creek reservoir. From here it’s almost all downhill back to the finish area. 

The 10 mile course is a challenging route designed for experienced trail runners, with some pretty good hills mixed in. The 5k is perfect for someone new to trail running or wants an easier route with few hills.