Overivew

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park is comprised of the largest remnant of Big Woods vegetation in Minnesota. The rolling hills and valleys are traversed by Prairie Creek with its picturesque waterfalls.  This event is a favorite amoungst our participants due to the large open woods which are perfect for running and open navigation.

 

Courses

Several course options will be offered with varying length and difficulty for all skill levels:

• Beginner - 2k-4k on or near the trail

• Intermediate - 4k-5k on or near the trail

• Intermediate/advanced - 4k-8k mostly off trail.

 

Schedule

• Registration/Check-In: 11:30am - 1:00pm

• Race Start: 12:00pm - 1:30pm (staggered start)

• Course Closure: 3:30pm

 

Pricing/Registration

Fees are: $6 for junior members, $7 for members, $10 for non members. 

 

Register online by September 1st and receive a $2 discount.

 

 

 

 

Location

Directions: Nerstrand Woods State Park is located just west of Nerstrand, MN, or about 10 miles south of Northfield. Take Highway 3 or Highway 19 into Northfield. Follow State Hwy 3 to the south side of Northfield, than follow the signs to get on State Hwy 246. Go south on 246; you will turn east and then south again. You will reach an intersection where 246 turns east again going towards Nerstrand; instead, go west 2 miles to the park. Once inside the park, watch for O-Meet signs. 

 

Sneak Peak

The Nerstrand Woods State Park map is at a scale of 1:10,000, with a contour interval of 5 meters. The northern half of the park has an extensive trail system with one major stream and many moderately deep ravines. The southern part is flatter, with fewer trails. The park is mostly wooded, but open underneath and easily runnable.  Click here for a sample map of the park.

 

Volunteer

It takes a few volunteers at each of the meets to make our O-season successful. We've been doing this for a long time, however, so the process and duties are pretty streamlined. At each of the meets the positions that need to be filled are:

 

• Meet Director (1 person or team) - Generally the first to come, last to go on the day of the meet. Put up the signs leading to the meet and get the maps and other supplies to the meet. Get the money to the treasurer, collect results, and write a blurb for the newsletter and the web site.

• Registration (2 people) - Take the fees and hand out the maps and control cards.

• Start/Finish (2 people) - Keep the watch and give people start and finish times.

• Instruction (1 person) - Help newcomers with information on how to fill out the control card, make corrections on the map where needed, go through the start procedure and copying of controls to their maps. Also be available to answer general questions.

• Results (1 person) - Calculate the times and post the cards at the meet.

• Photography (1 person) - Take photos of participants/course and post to social media.

• Control Retrieval (4-6 people) - Help pick up the controls after the meet is finished. (This is a good way to do an extra course for free!)

 

If you would like to contribute to the success of the MNOC meets by volunteering for one of these positions, please contact compass@mnoc.org to be put in contact with the meet director.

 

Race Results

Race results are usually published within 24 hours of the event.  View our Race Results page to see the results.

 

Race Management

Race Director: Andrea

Course Setter/Vetter: Mike Carlson/Julia Bohnen