Race Info – Frequently Asked Questions

See the Race Pricing Schedule for current race pricing information.

Registration Details:

Interested in registering for more than one Run Stillwater event at the same time? The registration system lets you do just that. Watch for that option within the registration process.

Only one person may register at a time because we need to ensure we have all the correct safety information and a separate waiver for each race participant.

All registrations are sent an email confirmation to the address provided during sign-up. If you have a Run Stillwater account or created one when you registered, you may also log in to see the races for which you are registered.

Please note the registration process also asks for the runner email address. Future communications about a race event will be sent to the runner email provided, which may be different than the primary email associated with a registration.

“Processing” means your order is set and you’re ready for the event in the future. No worries; we’ve got you.

Registration is open for all races beginning in October the previous year. At this time, the field of runners is not limited in number. For each race:

• Online registration closes at midnight the Wednesday before a race. Online registration ensures participants will receive their race shirt in the size they request at packet pickup before the race.
• Will Call registration is available online until noon Friday before a race. Runners registering as Will Call are assigned a bib number before packet pickup and receive their race shirt after the race.
• In-Person registration is available Friday and Saturday before the race at Packet Pickup. In-Person registrants are assigned a bib number at packet pickup and receive their race shirt after the race.

Registration for all Run Stillwater races is nontransferable and nonrefundable.

Runners Receive:

• Gender-specific, premium quality cotton blend shirt NOTE: Will Call and In-person registrants receive their race shirts after the event at packet pick-up (if your size is available) or in the mail following the event.
• Collectible medals to all finishers – each year Run Stillwater medals fit together as a set to commemorate your season
• Personalized race bibs up to 10 characters (Deadlines apply. See Race Pricing Schedule for details)
• Timing by Mtec Results (Half, 10K, 5K) – a leader in race timing technologies and based in the Twin Cities
• Participant tracking using the Mtec Results app. Track and easily share participant performance, see current and projected runner locations, view chip and gun times, get real-time results including overall and division place, and more
• Bag drop at each start location with bags provided at the starts (clear, 15″ x 18″ with drawstring)
• Pacers for half marathon runners
• Staffed water stations to serve and cheer you on with water and Gatorade available (Most race-day support staff is provided as part of Run Stillwater’s Volunteer for Donation program. Learn more HERE.)
• Restroom facilities at each start and at approximately two-mile intervals along the courses
• Finish line recovery food and beverages – fruit, protein bars, salty snacks, Gatorade and bottled water
• Selfie clock at the finish showing your name and time
• Video finish accessible along with results at mtecresults.com
• Free photos available to download on Mtec Results and the Run Stillwater Facebook page
• Keepsake age group awards – personalized with name, date, time, distance and division – for top three finishers in each age group (based on 10-year increments) are mailed to winners after the event
• A Buy-One/Get-One at Lift Bridge Brewing for a cold beer or beverage! Redeemable at Lift Bridge Brewing Company tap rooms in Stillwater and New Richmond

… and more

Course Information:

Course maps are available on the Course Maps page.

USA Track & Field (USATF) Course Certifications:

Half: MN-14035RR
10K: MN-19046RR
5K: MN-19045RR

Aid stations have water and Gatorade available.

Toilets are located at each start area, the finish area and approximately every two miles at or near aid stations along the course.

Packet Pick-up and In-person Registration:

Friday, August 9
3:00 – 8:00 p.m. (Highly Recommended)
Location TBD – watch webpage for updates

Saturday, August 10
Beginning at 5:30 a.m.
St. Croix County Government Center
Across Carmichael Rd. from Grandview Park
(Tent in the southeast corner of the parking area)
1101 Carmichael Rd
Hudson, WI 54016

You can look up your bib number at packet pickup. The contents of the email is HERE.

Picking Up Someone Else’s Packet

You may pick up another runner’s packet. Pleases confirm that you have agreed to do this in advance so there is no confusion with volunteers at packet pick-up.

If you paid for the Mail-My-Packet option, you can expect your packet to arrive within two weeks of race day. See the Race Pricing Schedule for specific mailing date information.

Changing Your Distance

You may change your distance at packet pickup. Pick up your packet FIRST and bring it to the In-Person/Changes table to make the switch. If you’d like to run further, you’ll just pay the difference to move up to the longer distance. There’s no charge for moving to a shorter distance.

Shirt Exchange

You may exchange your unworn shirt for a different size after the race. Shirts are ordered based on the sizes specified at the time of registration. To ensure everyone gets the size requested, exchanges can be made after the race. Shirt exchange for the Gopher to Badger race is set up in the bandshell at the finish line. Staff remains at this location until approximately 10:45 a.m.

Slow runners and walkers are welcome provided you maintain continuous movement toward the finish line throughout the race.

We allow four hours to finish your race, meaning continuously progressing along the course at a minimum pace of 18 minutes per mile for the half marathon. If you don’t believe you can finish within that time, you may drop to a shorter distance.

Stopping for any reason besides hydration and efficient use of a restroom will mean disqualification from the race. Anyone still on the course at 11:00 a.m. will be picked up and escorted to the finish.

Please understand, we encourage anyone interested to participate. We ask you to please consider this when signing up and honor these rules during the race. They are in place for your safety and the safety of our incredible volunteers, including course marshals, aid station support, finish line crew and medical staff who give of their time to provide an enjoyable experience and keep you safe.

Run Stillwater events are USA Track & Field certified and sanctioned running events. The same organization responsible for certifying events like Grandma’s Marathon, the New York Marathon and U.S. Olympic track and field trials.

Pacers for the Half Marathon:

Pacers for the Gopher to Badger race are provided by Midwest Pacers for all half marathon participants to help runners reach their race day goals.

We recommend checking out the Discover Stillwater website and the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce for recommendations.

Parking and Shuttles to the Starts

Due to the City of Hudson’s parking concerns in the downtown area, parking and shuttles to the start lines are provided from Grandview Park, 908 Carmichael Rd, Hudson. Packet pickup and shuttles to the start areas will only be provided from this location on race morning.

Your options:

• Parking is available at Grandview Park, the St. Croix County Government Center and at Hudson Schools north of the park’s ball fields
  • Shuttles (recommended) to the starts are clearly marked for each race distance and board along the southbound lane of Carmichael Rd in front of the government center. Buses are clearly marked for each race distance. Please check to be sure you are on the correct bus
• Get dropped off at the start locations. If this is your choice, please use caution in the area to avoid buses and runners at these locations
• Half Marathoners may park at the Washington County Fairgrounds but no shuttle will be available to take you back to your vehicle. If this is your choice, plan your own transportation back to your car
• No parking is available at the 10K and 5K start areas

After the race

After the race, continuous shuttle service is provided from the finish line area in Lakefront Park, downtown Hudson a short 5-10 minute ride back to the parking area. Runners board the bus adjacent to the finish area in Lakefront Park. Shuttles to Grandview will run throughout the morning. Spectators are free to park downtown.

Start Time:

7:00 a.m.  All races start at the same time.

Last bus to start areas leaves at 6:35 SHARP from the Grandview Park area

All start areas have portable restrooms, water and bag drop available.

Parking and Shuttles to the Starts

5:25 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. SHARP
Grandview Park, 908 Carmichael Rd, Hudson

Due to the City of Hudson’s parking concerns in the downtown area, parking and shuttles to the start lines are provided from Grandview Park, 908 Carmichael Rd, Hudson. Packet pickup and shuttles to the start areas will only be provided from this location on race morning.

After the race

After the race, continuous shuttle service is provided from the finish line area in Lakefront Park, downtown Hudson a short 5-10 minute ride back to the parking area. Runners board the bus adjacent to the finish area in Lakefront Park. Shuttles to Grandview will run throughout the morning. Spectators are free to park downtown.

Transportation:

All runners will be bused from Hudson to the start lines for all distances. We HIGHLY recommend using the bus system to avoid congestions and maintain safety, but you may get dropped off at the start area for your race if you wish. There is NO parking available at the 10K and 5K start areas. Some parking is available at the half marathon start, but you must arrange your own transportation back to your vehicle.

Your options:

• Parking is available at Grandview Park, and at Hudson Schools north of the park’s ball fields
  • Shuttles (recommended) to the starts are clearly marked for each race distance and board along the southbound lane of Carmichael Rd in front of the government center. Buses are clearly marked for each race distance. Please check to be sure you are on the correct bus
• Get dropped off at the start locations. Again, it is highly recommended that 5K and 10K runners, in particular, use the shuttle. If getting dropped off is your choice, please do so well away from the bus unloading areas (it will be ovbious when you arrive) to avoid buses and runners in the area
• Half Marathoners may park at the Washington County Fairgrounds but no shuttle will be available to take you back to your vehicle. If this is your choice, plan your own transportation back to your car
• Absolutely NO parking is available at the 10K and 5K start areas. No exceptions. Our permitting does not accommodate vehicles left in these areas

The shuttle bus schedule and location details can be found here on the website. See “From where will shuttles depart on race day?” for more information.

Weather Considerations:

Runner safety is our number one priority. The race will occur rain or shine. We have direct contact with the National Weather Service in the Twin Cities and rely on their forecasts in making decisions concerning weather and race-day conditions.

Parameters for weather considerations include the following:

• Electrical activity in the area
• Hail
• High winds
• WetBulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) conditions – a scientific measurement provided by the National Weather Service of the body’s heat stress in direct sunlight, taking into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover, and based on U.S.A. Track and Field guidelines for running events:
  • WBGT less than 65 degrees Fahrenheit is Green Flag/No Warning to runners necessary
  • WBGT 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit is Yellow Flag/Recommend participants at increased risk for heat collapse. Slow pace. Warn all entrants of increased risk of heat collapse
  • WBGT 73 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit is Red Flag/Recommend participants at increased risk for heat collapse withdraw from race, and other slow pace to match conditions
  • WBGT above 82 degrees is Black Flag/Cancel or recommend voluntary withdrawal

There will be over 65 course marshals and public safety officers stationed around the course to guide runners in good weather and bad.

Post Race Information:

Race results will be available at www.mtecresults.com in near real time after the race.

We will NOT hold an awards ceremony after the race. Top three finishers in each age category will receive awards in the mail after the event. We will announce the Gopher to Badger winner at the finish over the PA system.

Safety and Rules of the Road:

• The race courses are not 100 percent closed to traffic so we ask that you be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Headphones and earbuds are permitted, but runners are strongly encouraged to use only one ear bud and turn the volume down so you are alert to traffic and able to follow instructions from race officials.
• For the safety of all runners and walkers, the following are NOT allowed on the course: Unregistered participants (including family, friends, or pacers); bicycles; in-line skates; or pets.
• The following are allowed with prior notice to race staff: runner escorts for parasports athletes, adapted wheel chairs, jogging strollers.
• Prior notice of service animals is requested so we may may equip aid stations accordingly (animals need water too…) and alert staff in advance of a race. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows trained service animals to go anywhere the public is allowed to go. As defined in the ADA, service animals are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the animal must be directly related to the person’s disability.

We welcome adaptive athletes at our events. All athletes, including escorts, must be registered in advance and wear a bib number. The following are allowed with prior approval from race staff: runner escorts for parasports athletes, adapted wheel chairs with runner escorts, jogging strollers, certified service animals. Please contact us if you need more information.

Return/Refund and Privacy Policy

All Run Stillwater, Inc. races occur rain or shine. Fees are not refundable and race numbers and timing chips are not transferable to a different person than the individual to whom the bib number is assigned. Participants must agree to the terms and conditions of participation prior to entering payment information during the registration process. For details regarding the Run Stillwater, Inc. privacy policy, click HERE.