Surf the Murph

The 2024 race will be held Oct. 19, 2024 at Murphy-Hanrehan Park.

This is a suburban course through a beautiful park. All races are on trails with two miles of single track, although the south end of the course runs like a single track due to the horses (one mile on the south end is half gravel and half asphalt). All races will start at 15501 Murphy Lake Blvd, Savage, MN.

These events are to be competitive and fun. They will be official races, however most of the prizes and awards will be for costumes to go along with the Halloween theme.

Course Information

Course Description
The course has a mixture of rolling hills, wooded trails, prairie and even a beaver dam (very Minnesotan)! Difficulty rating: 3, Terrain rating: 3.

COURSE MAP (PDF)
ELEVATION MAP (PDF)

Marking
Marking of the course will be on the left as usual and described by the race director on race day. Please be sure to watch for flags to stay on course. No off trail running, no exceptions!

Distance
Each loop is 16.7 miles. The 25K will be one loop, the marathon will be one loop with 9.5 miles of additional trail, the 50K will be two loops, and the 50 mile will be three loops.

Flashlights
Flashlights and/or headlamps will be needed at the beginning and sometimes end of the race, don’t forget your batteries!

Trash
No throwing trash on the trails! This is a great park and we have had amazing cooperation from park staff. Please be respectful of the public space as we all are during runs!

Road Crossings
You will have to cross and run along a public gravel road twice per lap. Be careful to look both ways as we will not have anyone watching traffic for you. This is a regularly used road!

Animals
There are domestic and wild animals in the park. You may need to share the trail with horses (watch for droppings). Coyotes, large owls, turkeys, eagles, large woodpeckers, deer, skunk, ground hogs, turtles, there has been one report of a cougar. No bears have been reported…

Registration

Registration
Registration will open June 1 and close on Oct. 15.

Fees:	10K	25K	Marathon	50K	50 Mile
Registration (June 1– Aug. 31)	$60	$75	$80	$85	$95
Late Registration (Sept. 1– Oct. 15)	$90	$105	$110	$115	$125

Each registration includes a commemorative shirt and a branded finishers award.

SWAG: To be determined. Shirt sizing is unisex.

Refunds and Bib Transfers
No refunds or bib transfers will be issued for any reason.

Packet Pickup/Race Day Information

Packet Pickup
Race packets will be mailed to runners. Please remember to bring your bib on race day!

START TIMES:
• 50 Mile: 6 a.m.
• 50K: 7 a.m.
• Marathon: 7:30 a.m.
• 25K: 8:00 a.m.
• 10K: 8:30 a.m.

3rd/Final loop cut off time is 3 p.m.

Aid

There are four official aid stations that will offer pre-packaged snacks and water. Each aid station will have firepits going and portable restrooms. You are also welcome to leave a drop bag at the start/finish and Horse Camp.

Start/Finish: beginning and end of each lap (0, 16.7 miles)
North: 2.9 miles
Horse Camp: (crossed twice each lap): 5.6, 13 miles
Natchez: 9.9 miles

Drop Bags

There will be drop bag areas by the Start/Finish Aid Station and Horse Camp Aid Station.
Runners are responsible for their own drop bag.

Pacers

Pacers are allowed on the course to assist runners. Runners should notify race staff when picking up their race packet on the day of the race that they will have a pacer so that staff can monitor who is on the course. Your pacer will need to check in at the trail head building by the start/finish before running. No muling allowed.

Spectators

Come and cheer your runner on! Family, friends and crew can easily see their runner at the Start/Finish area and at the Horse Camp aid station (crossed 2x per lap). Both of these locations have their own parking lot and runners are easily spotted.

Awards

Surf the Murph was designed to be both competitive and fun. Each distance will be an official chip timed race; however, most of the prizes and awards will be for costumes to go along with the Halloween theme so make sure to wear an awesome costume!

Past winners of the costume prizes have included a toe nail after 50 miles, 50K virgin, ninja turtles, bridesmaids and many more. The more creative your costume is, the better your prize! Just make sure to get your photo taken at packet pickup before you start the race. Note: you are not required to run the entire race in your costume

Weather

Minnesota is wonderful but our weather can also be variable, that is half the fun! Surf has run with snow in the 30s to the 70s and sunny. We will run rain or shine, however, the race directors reserve the right to delay or cancel the event because of park closure or unsafe running conditions.

Camping

General Park Rules

If you have any questions about park rules please consult the Three Rivers Park District Website.