Break the Bank
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Break the Bank
Break the Bank is a point to point 50 mile event on the Willard Munger Trail between Sturgeon Lake and Duluth, Minnesota. The race offers solo and relay options and finishes at the Bank House in Duluth, a former 1918 bank that serves as race headquarters.
Distances:
- 50 mile solo
- 50 mile 2 person relay
- 50 mile 5 person relay
Approximately 43 miles of the route are on the paved Willard Munger Trail. The course is nearly flat for about the first 40 miles and has a gradual downhill finish with roughly 500 feet of elevation loss in the final 10 miles. Start location is the shores of Sturgeon Lake and the finish is at 1106 88th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55808.
There are eleven aid stations along the course supplying water, energy drink, cookies, gels, salted nut rolls, soda and additional items. Cups are provided and refillable bottles or cups will be filled. Relay teams use four exchange zones for five legs with these distances:
- 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
Transportation is provided from the finish to the start on race morning and warmup items placed in a bag are returned to the finish. Packet pickup is available at a local running store the day before and at the start. Entry fees vary by date and category, with early prices from $60; the event is limited to the first 150 solo runners. Prize purses include $5,000 for a new 50 mile American best by gender and tiered cash awards for top open finishers. There are no refunds or transfers. To record an official finishing result a runner must complete the course within 12 hours and meet published aid station cutoffs. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.