Create an Unforgettable Outdoor Event on the Mesabi Trail
We’re excited that you’re considering the Mesabi Trail and its immersive natural backdrop for your competitive running or walking event. Our goal at the Regional Railroad Authority (RRA) is to ensure you have a smooth and safe event that receives rave reviews from participants and earns your enthusiastic return next year!
The Race Experience
Races typically involve 30 to hundreds of participants, including walkers and runners. For safety concerns, cycling races are not allowed. Our 165-mile, 10-foot-wide paved trail can accommodate races from one-mile fun walks to ultramarathons.
The Mesabi Trail, lauded as one of the nation’s premier trails, winds through some of northern Minnesota’s most breathtaking terrain—fragrant pine forests, clear-water lakes, panoramic views, and open stretches, where hawks circle above. Walkers and runners can experience everything from flats, perfect for shorter races, to rolling hills with challenging grades up to 8%.
The forests and wetlands surrounding the trail provide habitat for songbirds, white-tailed deer, black bears, and countless other species that may be spotted along the way.
What Race Organizers Must Know Before Applying
- Any commercial or paid events require approval from RRA and our board. This ensures that proper safety and cleanup plans are in place, that your event is insured for up to $8 million, and most importantly, that only RRA can handle the complex permitting process.
- The Mesabi Trail was built for public use, so we don’t close it for your event.
- We strongly recommend staggered start times or spacing plans to ensure the safety of public users on the narrow path.
- We’re here to help. We will provide video, photography, and text content for your event marketing, along with communication templates and route planning support. Visit our Media Page (URL TBD) for additional information.
- RRA charges a $500 fee per event.
- Spectators are not allowed on the course for safety and environmental reasons, but they’re welcome at the starts and finishes.
- We permit professional photography and videography, but drone photography or video is not permitted without prior RRA approval.
The Race Approval Process and Lead Times
- Getting started is easy. Contact RRA staff by submitting the pre-approval form below. We’ll give you a quick preliminary thumbs-up or thumbs-down on your event within 2 to 4 weeks. Please note that this does not constitute a final go-ahead on your race
- Give us the Details. Let’s dig into the nitty-gritty. You’ll need to submit an event brief, including the route, proof of insurance up to $8 million, a safety plan, and contact names and phone numbers for individuals responsible for food, water, sanitary facilities, security, traffic control, first aid, emergency rescue/medical services, signage, and cleanup.
- RRA will review your application and make a recommendation to the Board.
- If your event is approved, we’ll send you support materials for your participants.
Planning for Approval Timelines – We turn approvals around as fast as possible, but the timeline varies depending on the number of participants and the route. Plan on three months for approval of a small event and up to one year for a major event. Get a jump on the process by submitting the Race Pre-Application form below today!
Keep Your Event Safe, Fun, and Trail-Friendly!
- Please ensure your participants know the rules of the trail
- Protect the environment by taking out anything you brought into the event. All signage must be removed, and any trash or debris in registration areas or along the route must be cleared.
- We highly recommend that your event planner coordinate with local businesses along the route if participants are expected to visit or patronize them during your event. For any public road crossings, it’s also your responsibility to contact the city, county, or state law enforcement to notify them and complete their permitting process.
- Please be courteous to our staff during the planning process and ask your participants to respect the residents and businesses they may encounter, as well as each other. We are a close-knit community along the Mesabi Trail, and a kindness will set the tone for a happy and safe event.
Have Questions? Contact Our Event Coordinator
The RRA’s point person for events is Sarah Ciochetto, Deputy Director. Reach her by email at sarah@rrauth.com or call (218) 744-1388.
Start Your Race Pre-Application Here
Fill out the form below, and let’s get started on approving your race. Please allow two to four weeks to hear back from us.
"*" indicates required fields
