Break the Bank

BREAK THE BANK

WHEN - OCT 10 2026 - Saturday - 8 a.m. WHAT - 50 mile solo or relay Brought to you by the on-demand app which safely connects athletes with personalized training guides, the Break The Bank 50 Miler will lead runners along the scenic Willard Munger Trail from Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota to Duluth, Minnesota. Athletes will be treated to the trail's natural beauty, including lush forests and picturesque lakes, culminating in a rewarding downhill finish over the last 10 miles.This event offers a unique opportunity for runners to challenge their endurance while immersing themselves in Minnesota's breathtaking landscapes. This race is specifically designed by ultrarunners to provide competitors with the perfect combination of speed and beauty. Enjoy the splendid forests, bridges, and craggy rocks of the terrain carved out by the last ice age, while never needing to worry about your footing. . Break The Bank 50 is committed to growing our sport through the inclusion and promotion of subsets of the running population which have been historically denied or persuaded not to run races through direct or indirect means. There will be no discrimination allowed at our race and we feel sorry that this even needs to be said. All our welcome as long as they treat others with respect deserved by all. 50 MILE 11/28 till 12/1 – $60.00 or first 50 runners (whichever comes first) 12/2/25 – $120.00 5/1/26 – $140.00 9/1/26 – $160.00 2 PERSON RELAY 11/28 till 12/1 – $70.00 or first 10 teams (whichever comes first) 12/2/25 – $140.00 5/1/26 – $160.00 9/1/26 – $180.00 5 PERSON RELAY 11/28 till 12/1 – $100.00 or first 10 teams (whichever comes first) 12/2/25 – $200.00 5/1/26 – $220.00 9/1/26 – $240.00 **RACE LIMITED TO FIRST 150 SOLO RUNNERS** Questions and/or thoughts can be directed to: Jeff Allen (RD) runjeffrun50k@yahoo.com 651-332-9988 2025 WINNERS Rachel Ragona - 6:50:59 Jeff Miller - 6:51:12

2025 RACE PHOTOS

To see more of the gorgeous course and smiles of the runners please see photos from Mile 90 Photography , a Kansas City area company, focusing on trail and ultrarunning photography. BREAK THE BANK PHOTOS

COURSE MAP

START - The shores of Sturgeon Lake, MN 55783 FINISH - 1106 88th Ave W, Duluth, MN, 55808. The finish will right next to be an actual bank built in 1918 which has been converted into home and, for the purposes of this day, the HQ and finish of the race. Approximately 43 miles of this point-to-point race (click for the route on Strava) will be run on the incredible Willard Munger Trail, a soft as butter paved trail. The course is nearly flat (we really mean it) for the first 40 miles. There is a fantastically gradual downhill finish featuring a 500 foot drop over the last 10 miles.This elevation change is just enough to make you feel like you are having the best day of your life without crushing your quads at the end. Finally, you finish in the shadow of the Bank House where warm showers, music, a warming tent, and food and drink will be enjoyed by all. Here is a video of part of the Munger Trail. A great deal of how the course looks on the Munger Trail is represented there. Then, like no other race out there, after lovely trail running all day, you finish in the shadow of the former Park State Bank!

AID STATIONS

There will be Eleven (11) aid stations along the course providing runners with the following: Water, Energy Drink, Cookies, Gels, Salted Nut Rolls, various soda pops, and more Four of the Aid Stations will be at the Relay Exchanges listed below in the Relay Section. The other seven are located as follows : The Third Aid Station (mile 16.3) will be at Barnum HERE. The Fifth Aid Station (mile 26.9) will be across from the Elmwood Inn on the Munger Trail HERE. The Sixth Aid Station (mile 30.9) will be at the Douglas Road crossing to the Munger Trail, west of Carlton HERE. The Eighth Aid Station (mile 39.15) will be at the Peterson's Aid Station trailhead on the Munger Trail HERE. The Ninth Aid Station (mile 42.6) will be at the Buffalo House trailhead on the Munger Trail HERE. The Tenth Aid Station (mile 45) will be at right before "The Slice" on the Munger Trail HERE. The Eleventh Aid Station (mile 48.7) will be at the Munger Trail exit HERE. Break the Bank will provide cups so you needn't worry about bringing your own. If you bring your own refillable punches or cups, we will gladly fill them for you!

RELAY TEAMS

There will be four (4) exchange zones for a total of five (5) running legs. Distances for each leg of the Relay are as such: Leg 1: 5.75 miles Leg 2: 5.6 miles Leg 3: 10.95 miles Leg 4: 12.35 miles Leg 5: 15.05 miles Exchange Zones are as follows: The First Relay Exchange and First Aid Station (5.75 miles) will be at the Sturgeon Lake trailhead to the Munger Trail HERE. The Second Relay Exchange and Second Aid Station (11.35 miles) will be in Moose Lake HERE. The Third Relay Exchange and Fourth Aid Station (22.3 miles) will be at the Mahtowa trailhead to the Munger Trail HERE. The Fourth Relay Exchange and Seventh Aid Station (34.65 miles) will be at the Carlton trailhead to the Munger Trail HERE. Relay teams are responsible for transportation to exchange points. Each team will open one safety deposit box at the finish.

RACE TRANSPORTATION

Transportation will be provided for all participants from the finish line (Bank House) at 1106 88th Ave W, Duluth, MN, 55808 to the start line in Sturgeon Lake on the morning of the race. We strongly encourage to utilize the buses provided (free of charge) in order to alleviate any congestion near the start of the race Buses will remain on-site at the start line until 7:45 a.m. to provide shelter if the weather is less than ideal. In addition to the buses, we will also have outdoor heaters and tents available at the starting line to keep runners warm and sheltered. We will transport your warm-up clothes back to the finish line after the race begins. Please place your warm-up items in a bag for easy transport. Buses will depart from the finish line (Bank House) to the start at 6:20 a.m. You may begin boarding as early as 6:00 a.m.

PACKET PICKUP

Packets can be picked up at Tortoise & Hare Footwear (4002 Grand Ave, Duluth, MN 55807) on the Friday before race day as well as at the start location the morning of the race. If you are able, save yourself the worry of getting it all done right before you run by visiting Tortoise & Hare Footwear the day prior and get some last minute gels, socks, shoes or anything else there!

PRIZE MONEY

Break the Bank is excited to offer the following : $10,000 to any individual who sets a new the 50-mile American best for their gender. That's right, $10,000! Men's 50 mile record is 4:48:21 set by Charlie Lawrence in 2024 at the Tunnel Hill 50. Women's 50 mile record is 5:31:56 set by Courtney Olsen in 2024 at the Tunnel Hill 50. ***There currently seems to be no record for non-binary runners but we will stay on top of that and adjust accordingly*** For the first, second, and third place finishers in the open division, each will will receive: $300 for first place $200 for second place $100 for third place NEW for 2026! An Additional $200 for anyone who break the course record set by Rachel Ragona in 2025 of 6:50:59

RACE SWAG

In additional to fantastic race medals and race shirt, every finisher will choose a random safety deposit box inside the bank at the finish line. Inside the safety deposit boxes will be prizes ranging up to $500, with other awards as well. Finish the race and you get a key!

REFUND POLICY

There are no refunds. There are no transfers to other runners. No exceptions. In the event Break the Bank is forced to cancel for any reason and the event can not be feasibly rescheduled, refunds/race credits/rollovers will not be given. This includes, but not limited to, COVID-19, bird flu, wildfires, air quality, natural disasters, permitting agency closures, etc. Rest assured, we want this event to go off as scheduled as much as you do.

CUT OFFS

Solo runners or relay team must cross the following AS to contuine the race: AS 2 - Total miles 11.9 - by 10:50 am AS 5 - Total miles 27.5 - by 2:35pm AS 9 - Total miles 42.5 - by 6:10pm To qualify for an official finisher you must cross the finish line under 12 hours.

LODGING

The race ends (and transportation to the start is in) the Morgan Park Community in the southern part of Duluth. Therefore, any hotels in Duluth will put you within about a 20 minute drive to bus transportation. Below are just a few! The Buffalo House RV Park and Campground is just 7.5 miles away. Directions Willard Munger Inn is a scant 2.9 miles away. Directions The Duluth Inn & Suites Near Spirit Mountain is 6.9 miles away. Directions Mountain Villas is 7.7 miles away. Directions Baymont by Wyndham Proctor is 6.9 miles away. Directions

DELAY, SUSPENDED, AND/OR CANCELLED

The race director reserves the right to delay, suspend, or cancel any part of the event if weather conditions deem it dangerous to the participants or harmful to the course. This is the last thing we want to do and won't be taken lightly. But no race ever is worth your health and safety.