Welcome!

Ron Hendrickson

Eugene CurnowThe Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon is run over rough woodland trails on a point-to-point course from the Spirit Mt. Ski Area near Duluth, MN to Carlton. The course encompasses one leg of the Minnesota Voyageur Trail Ultramarathon, plus a bit extra to equal 26.2 miles. Initially, it was developed as support for the Voyageur 50 Mile; offered as a thank you to Voyageur volunteers and an introduction to the course for those not ready for a full fifty miles. It has become a wildly popular race in its own right.

Formerly known as the Half-Voyageur Trail Marathon, the race was renamed in 2013 in honor of its irrepressible founder – area trail and ultramarathon running legend, Eugene Curnow. Gene’s energy, enthusiasm and volunteer spirit played a significant role in the success and growth of the Minnesota Voyageur, the sport of trail and ultra-running, and the northland running community.

The Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon is proudly managed by the Northern Minnesota Track Club (NMTC). For more information, see our web site at: nmtc.run

IMPORTANT 2024 Course Update

Nate Hubert

Hello runners, we hope you are excited for the 2024 Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon! We are and cannot wait to see you all! Unfortunately due to the rainy season we have had to make some last minute course changes. There are a couple alterations near the beginning and the end of the course. Here is a link to the current course we will be using.

At the beginning of the Magney ski trail system you will head towards Bardon’s Peak. From there you will connect onto the Superior Hiking Trail and follow that south until you reach Jarrow’s Beach. This will be a bit more singletrack than normal.

Later in the course you will find your final aid station at the Forbay Lake dam. You will not be entering the main Jay Cooke parking lot so we had to move the aid station. After leaving the dam head towards the CCC like normal but you will then head down the White Pine trail. Follow the White Pine trail until it connects back onto the CCC. Continue on the CCC until you reach the Forbay trail, which is a paved trail that will lead you to the Munger Trail. Follow the Munger all the way to the finish.

Ride the bus! Make new friends!!

Ron Hendrickson

The Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon is a point-to-point race that begins at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, MN and ends at the Munger Trail trailhead in Carlton, MN. Yup. That could be a long walk home. Fortunately, we have a solution for you! Park your car at the finish before the race, and take a bus to the starting line.*

We will be providing bus service from Carlton to the Lake Superior Zoo prior to the race start on Saturday morning. We strongly encourage using this option, 1) to avoid dealing with the rather limited parking available at the start, and 2) to have your car within easy walking / waddling distance once you finish. Bus leaves at 4:45 AM, and costs you nothing but a smile!

See our Directions page for where to catch the bus (including an address and GPS coordinates).

She ain't sexy, but she'll get you there.

* Note: There is no bus from the finish line back to the start after the race.