Revision of END-SURE Course Book from Mon, 02/27/2023 - 21:24

General details are the same, 2021 details and maps will be added.

Race Updates

  • The race website
  • Prerace email
  • Blog posts from race director

Contact Information

We'll give you some phone numbers at the race start for emergencies. If you have questions before then, feel free to contact us in any number of ways:

Check-In

Race Day Check-In: This will be available 30 minutes prior to the start of the various distances.

Please print and bring your signed waiver to check-in.

Parking: Parking is available off of Richland County Road 23 at the Trailhead for the North Country Trail.

Start times




Distance

Start Time

Cutoff Time

100 K

7 AM at Jorgens Hollow (7:29 sunrise)

11 PM (16 hours) (7:43 sunset)

50 K

10 AM at Jorgen's Hollow

8 PM (10 hours)

25 K

10 AM at Jorgen's Hollow

8 PM (10 hours)

 

 

 

 

Location and Course Description

Sheyenne National Grasslands, approx. 45 minutes SW of Fargo, ND.  The race base (start and finish) will be in Jorgen’s Hollow Campground on Richland County Road 23 (6147 Co Rd 23, McLeod, ND 58057). Richland County Road 23 is a wide gravel road.  Please park in the large lot adjacent to Richland County Road 23. The parking lot isn't striped, so be visual enough to leave space for others when you park in rows as the day progresses. We are using the Campground parking for volunteers and those who may camp prior or after the event. One of the bathrooms (vault toilet) will be open for our use.  The drive from Fargo takes between 45 minutes and an hour, so allow time. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

If Jorgen’s Hollow Campgrounds isn’t listed on your mapping device, try Sheyenne Oaks Horse Camp. That facility is about 1.5 miles north of Jorgen’s Hollow Campground on Richland County Road 23.  You may also access directions on the US Forest Service web page for the Dakota Prairie Grassland.

 

During the inaugural year (2013 mid March) runners faced over a foot of brand new snow on the trail.  In 2018 + 2019 the trail was a mixture of snow, slush, and ice. You should be prepared for an 'all conditions race.' Yeah, it is possible that the trail will be dry and in awesome conditions, but it isn't exactly likely.  While we expect some sections of dry, fast running, also expect challenging sections of the race including plenty of miles of 'spring conditions'.

 

The NE portion of the course (all participants are in this section) is characterized by small but frequent rolling hills and oak savannahs. The SW section (miles 1-15 on the Grasslands map) which the 100k participants will be on is more exposed, flatter, and faster than the NE area. The North Country Trail in the SW section is a bit more difficult to follow, but it will be well marked. Runners are responsible for following the route. The indentations in the terrain, as well as small rock gravel on the prairie are indications that you’re on the trail. Also, large wooden posts with North Country Scenic trail emblems on them are useful guides. Temporary markings for the event will be placed in this section, as well.

 

The 25K, 50K & 100K will begin and end at Jorgen's Hollow Campground.  We’ll also be using the Oak Leaf Trail Loop /North Country Trail for these distances. This loop is located to the east of the Campgrounds. There may be gravel road running, as well as trail running. This depends upon snow depth. Be aware that due to melting and areas where the water table is high, wet spots will occur. These can be by-passed if you desire, but know that your shoes and feet will probably get damp.

 

100k  - It begins at Jorgen’s Hollow Campground. You will start on the Oak Leaf/NCT Trail Loop east of the campgrounds. You will then head out to the west boundary of the Sheyenne National Grasslands following the North Country Trail. At that point you will turn around and return to Jorgen's Hollow. You’ll have access to your drop bag at the West Trailhead.

 

50k  - It begins at Jorgen’s Hollow Campground. You will start on the Oak Leaf/NCT Trail Loop east of the campgrounds. You will then head to the Middle Trailhead parking lot in the Sheyenne National Grasslands following the North Country Trail. At that point you will turn around and return to Jorgen's Hollow.

 

25K - Coming soon!

Course Conditions

We don't have eyes on the ground continuously between now and race day, but you can check the nearest ND Roads cameras to see how much snow might be in the fields. These are the most recent images from a few cameras. For more views go to travel.dot.nd.gov.

Lisbon, ND; west of course

Forman, ND; south of course

Mooreton, ND; southeast of course

Toilets

Jorgen’s Hollow has enclosed, vault toilets for our use.

Markings

The Trail is easily followed due its usage, signage, and the gravel/stone layer that is evident on the trail. Other cattle trails and vehicle trails intersect the North Country Trail, but these will be marked to help you remain on the Trail.  The entire trail has wooden posts placed by the US Forest Service. These have white metal emblems on them indicating the North Country Trail. In addition, the North Country Trail also has mileage markers. The mileage begins at the West Trailhead. Thus as you leave the Campgrounds heading west the mileage markers will decrease. Only the North Country Trail has mileage markers, not the Oak Leaf Trail.

Lodging

Some accommodation is available in Lisbon ND, which is about 25 minutes from race start. Fargo, ND is the nearest major city with ample accommodation options and is about 45 minutes to 1 hour from the race start.

 

If you want to camp at Jorgen’s Hollow Campground prior to or following the event you are welcomed to do so. There is a $10 fee to camp. There are two vault toilets which are in buildings. The hand pump to access water may not be activated prior to the event.

 

Gear List

Although there will be aid stations, racers should be self-sufficient. Some distances are required to carry a minimum amount of gear.  This gear list may be modified prior to race day depending on weather forecasts and/or actual race day conditions.

 

Emergency contact numbers will be provided upon check in. It is your responsibility to program these into your cell phone to be used in case of an emergency that requires assistance from staff organizers. Cell coverage has improved in the Grasslands over the years although there still may be areas with minimal or no coverage. The bold items are strongly recommended for your distance.

50K

  • Enough hydration to get you 13 miles

  • cell phone

  • extra socks

  • wind/rain jacket (weather dependent)

  • waterproof shoes

 

100K

  • Enough hydration to get you 13 miles

  • cell phone

  • Headlamp/flashlight with extra batteries

  • extra socks

  • wind/rain jacket

  • extra mid layer

  • waterproof shoes

  • food

 

Drop Bags

100k participants will be able to have a drop bag. The West Trailhead is the location for 100k drop bags. The bag must be clearly labelled with your name and sealed to prevent articles from coming out.  You may leave anything you want in the bag when you return to Jorgen's Hollow.

 

Emergencies

As mentioned above, a phone number list will be provided to participants at check in.  This is your lifeline. Cell service can be spotty, however most of the course does get it.  We will have minimal access to extraction. If you cannot continue please get to an aid station. If you simply can’t make it to an aid station, we will ask you to describe your location in terms of last aid station passed, time on the trail from that aid station, last mile marker passed, etc. to determine the best route to access you on the trail.  Be prepared to wait it out, help may take some time to arrive!

 

More Information

 

Live coverage

We welcome those of you with time and multimedia capabilities to participate with updates, thoughts from the trail, selfies, tweets, instagrams, etc.  We will provide more details on how to do this prior to the race, but if you’d like to get a head start, please use hashtag #ENDSURE, stop by the ENDracing Facebook page or heckle us at @ENDracing on Twitter and @endracing_gf on Instagram. After the race, we'd love to add your race reports to our website, please send them to us in any format you want.

RUN HARD, HAVE FUN.