Prepare for a challenging and rewarding journey through Minnesota's rugged "Bluff Country" at the Zumbro Endurance Run, taking place on April 10, 2026, in Kellogg, MN. This revered event, known for its "old school, low-key" atmosphere and community spirit, offers distances of 100M, 50M, 34M, and 17M, catering to a range of endurance athletes. Typical race day conditions in early April feature highs around 54F and lows near 32F, with a 14% chance of precipitation, meaning runners should be prepared for varied, potentially chilly, and damp conditions on the trails.

The Zumbro Endurance Run course winds through the hauntingly beautiful Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest, characterized by towering bluffs and deeply carved river valleys, offering an entirely unpaved experience. Runners will navigate a demanding mix of rugged single and double-track trails, strewn with rubble, loose rock, and sand, interspersed with runnable minimum-maintenance gravel roads. Each 17-mile loop presents approximately 3,098 feet of elevation gain, including four significant, steep climbs of about 300 feet each, balanced with stretches of flat, fast valley running. Depending on the year, be ready for potentially cold, ankle to knee-deep water crossings. The race starts and finishes at the West Assembly / Horse Campground Area, a remote location where cell service is limited, emphasizing self-sufficiency and reliance on the dedicated on-course communication via ham radio operators.

Founded in 2009, Zumbro has built a reputation as a "life changing event" that hooks many on trail racing, celebrated for its "amazing people and conversations on the course" and outstanding volunteer support. Aid stations, strategically placed at roughly miles 5 (water-only) and 13.5 (fully stocked) per 17-mile loop, offer a variety of snacks, hot food for longer distances, and crucial support from a highly praised volunteer team. Runners consistently commend the well-marked course and the welcoming, encouraging environment fostered by ultrarunners for ultrarunners. As many experienced runners attest, Zumbro "is not for the weak," demanding patience, acceptance, and resilience, yet delivers a deeply rewarding experience for all who toe the line.