Break the Bank
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Event Overview
Break the Bank is a point-to-point ultramarathon that takes place along the scenic Willard Munger Trail. The course begins at the shores of Sturgeon Lake and travels northeast toward Duluth, Minnesota. Runners navigate a variety of landscapes, including lush forests, bridges, and geological features carved by the last ice age.
The route is designed to be flat for the first 40 miles, followed by a gradual downhill section over the final 10 miles with an elevation drop of 500 feet. The majority of the race is held on a paved trail surface. The event concludes at the Bank House in Duluth, a historic bank building from 1918 that serves as the finish line and headquarters.
Distances and Categories
Participants can choose to compete individually or as part of a relay team. The following options are available:
- 50 Mile Solo
- 50 Mile 2-Person Relay
- 50 Mile 5-Person Relay
For relay teams, the course is divided into five legs of varying lengths, ranging from 5.6 miles to 15.05 miles. Relay teams are responsible for their own transportation between the designated exchange zones.
Logistics and Support
The organizers provide eleven aid stations along the course. These stations offer water, energy drinks, and various food items such as cookies, gels, and salted nut rolls. All aid stations provide cups for participants.
Free bus transportation is provided for all runners from the finish line in Duluth to the starting line in Sturgeon Lake on the morning of the event. To ensure participant comfort, the buses remain at the start line until shortly before the race begins, and outdoor heaters and tents are also available. Warm-up clothes can be transported from the start back to the finish line by the event staff.
Finishers receive a medal and a key to open a safety deposit box at the finish line, which contains various prizes. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
