closeup of a bike tire spinning in gravel

GET READY TO RIDE.

3 days of chain-rattling fun! Find all official race details below. All downhill races require lift tickets.

Registration for the 2026 Duluth trails fest is open!

ALL PRE-RACE MEETINGS OCCUR BY THE AWARDS STAGE IN THE VENDOR VILLAGE 20 MINUTES BEFORE SCHEDULED RACE TIME

Your 2026 waivers will be signed during the registration process online and will be reviewed during event check-in.

Friday Races

Chainless Downhill

This intermediate rider course requires riders to carry speed all the way down the hill - challenging even the most skilled riders to generate and carry speed without pedaling! Quick link and chain pin removal tools available for use. Costumes are highly encouraged, and best dressed riders will walk away with more than just a medal!

Date: Friday, August 7, at 5PM
Registration Check-in: August 7, 10AM-4:30PM
Race Age Groups: Open to All

Register: April 1 - April 30 (Early Bird!): $20
Register: May 1 - July 31: $25
Register: Aug 1 - Aug 7: $30
Lift Ticket Required.

Hill Climb

You'll climb the ski hill right out of the gate and follow the chair line as it climbs to join a double-track trail and rounds the Spirit Express Lift at the summit of Spirit Mountain. you'll then descend the steep and winding double-track trail down the ski run to the finish at the chalet.

Date: Friday, August 7, at 7:15PM
Registration Check-in: August 7, 10AM-7:00PM
Minimum Pace: 16:30/mile
Finish Cut-off Time: 8PM

Saturday Races

Intermediate Enduro Race

Experience the thrill of enduro racing on intermediate rated trails! This race includes four timed downhill stages across blue and black rated, flow and tech trails. The course is set up to accommodate riders of intermediate skill level and up.

Date: Saturday, August 8, at 10:30AM

Registration Check-in: August 8, 7AM-10AM

Race Details:

Intermediate Enduro Stage 1 and Stage 2: 10:30AM
Intermediate Enduro Stage 3 and 4: 1:00PM

Race Age Groups:

40+
17-39
13-16
12 and Under (Not Lake Superior Gravity Series Scored)

Register: April 1 - April 30 (Early Bird!): $55
Register: May 1 - July 31: $75
Register: Aug 1 - Aug 8: $90
Lift Ticket Required

Advanced Enduro Race

Test your skills on Spirit Mountain’s most technical trails over seven timed stages! This course is designed for experienced/advanced riders, and all the utilized trails are rated single or double black diamond.

Date: Saturday, August 8, at 9AM

Registration Check-in: August 8, 7AM-8:30AM

Race Details:

Enduro Stage 1 : 9:00AM
Enduro Stage 2, 3 and 4: 10:30AM
Enduro Stage 5, 6, and 7: 1:00PM

Race Age Groups:

40+
17-39
16 and Under

Register: April 1 - April 30 (Early Bird!): $65
Register: May 1 - July 31: $75
Register: Aug 1 - Aug 8: $95
Lift Ticket Required

Beginner Downhill Race

This course features beginner-friendly trails for participants with basic mountain bike handling skills. The track’s length is approximately 1 mile with an expected duration of 5 minutes per ride. We recommend any experienced youth riders looking for more advanced downhill riding partake in the Beginner or Intermediate Enduro races. T-Shirts are available while supplies last!

Date: Saturday, August 8, at 4PM

Registration Check-in: August 8, 7AM-3:30PM

Race Age Groups:

12 - 15
11 and Under

Register: April 1 - April 30 (Early Bird!): $20
Register: May 1 - July 31: $25
Register: Aug 1 - Aug 8: $30
Lift Ticket Required

Whip-Off

Big, and throw your bike as sideways as possible, then bring it back for a smooth landing on Spirit Mountains newest black level jump line trail. This event will be held in a “jam session” format.

Date: Saturday, August 8th at 5:30PM

Register: April 1 - April 30 (Early Bird!): $20

Lift Ticket Required

The Creek's 8-Mile

An ~8 mile running race of mostly singletrack on the Duluth Traverse and Superior Hiking Trail. From the chalet at Grand Avenue, you'll hop on the Duluth Traverse with your eyes set on the Superior Hiking Trail near Keene Creek. You'll climb to the top of Spirit Mountain, summit, and then descend down the mountain via a combination of the Superior Hiking Trail and the Old Skyline Road.

Date: Saturday, August 8, at 7:45AM

Registration Check-in: August 8, 6:30AM-7:30AM

Minimum Pace: 17:51/mile

Finish Cut-off Time: 10:15AM

Heavy Half Marathon

A ~14 mile running race taking off form the Grand Avenue Chalet at Spirit Mountain. From Duluth Traverse to the Superior Hiking Trail, you will take a gradual climb up to the summit of Spirit Mountain. Using some connectors, you'll make your way across the ski area and continue out to Ely's Peak. You'll return back to the mountain via the Duluth Winnipeg Pacific Railroad trail (DWP).

Date: Saturday, August 8, at 7:30AM

Registration Check-in: August 8, 6:30AM-7:15AM

Minimum Pace: 17:08/mile

Finish Cut-off Time: 11:30AM

Mountain Lap 5K

A 3.2 mile race up to the top of Spirit Mountain and back down. This race consists of mostly technical singletrack with some steep double track as you descend.

Date: Saturday, August 8, at 8:30AM

Registration Check-in: August 8, 6:30AM-8:15AM

Minimum Pace: 27.:16/mile

Finish Cut-off Time: 10:00AM

Sunday Races

Partial Exposure Adventure Trail Race (All Levels)

The Partial Exposure is a cross-country adventure race designed for XC riders. After a neutral rollout, riders follow the Duluth Traverse through town, finishing back at Spirit Mountain in the Race Village.

This course delivers world-class racing while bypassing the most technical descents found on the Full Exposure. The Duluth Traverse features a mix of beginner- and intermediate-level trail, with sustained climbs and descents across Duluth’s hillside. The route covers just under 20 miles, including approximately 14 miles of singletrack and 1,800 feet of elevation gain.

Find the Partial Exposure Map HERE!

Date: Sunday, August 9, at 8:30AM

Registration Check-in: August 9, 7AM-8AM

Race Age Groups:

Masters (60+)
50-59
40-49
17-39
16 and Under
Single Speed (Single Speed Bike)

Advanced Downhill Race

Fly down Calculated Risk – one of the premier gravity trails in Minnesota! This high-speed competition course features numerous table-top jumps, rock gardens, gap-jumps (optional B-lines), wide sweeping berms, and the flagship feature “The Terrarium” which offers spectators the opportunity to watch racers sail down a steep rocky face culminating in a 5-foot drop at the bottom (optional B-line ). The course is fully rollable but rewards riders willing to take to the air over some of the obstacles and rock gardens. Finish times generally range from 2-3 minutes for the 3,500-foot track. Full face helmets are required.

Date: Sunday, August 9, at 1PM (Seeding Run), 2PM (Final Run)

Registration Check-in: August 9, 7AM-12:30AM

Race Age Groups:

40+
Open/Expert (17-39)
16 and Under

Lift Ticket Required

Youth XC

Interested in trying out a race? This is your chance! Athletes will compete on a beginner friendly loop that is a mix of single rack and gravel road. Each loop is a bit less than a mile. Everyone receives a snack at the the finish!

Grades 2-3: 2 laps

Grades 4-6: 4 laps

Date: Sunday, August 9, 11:30AM

Registration Check-in: August 9, 7AM-11:15AM

Race Age Groups:

10u (11:30AM start)
12u (12:00PM start)

Lift Ticket Required

Northern Exposure Trail Race

A staple of the Bike Duluth Festival, the Northern Exposure is the perfect sampler of Duluth trail riding. After a neutral rollout from Spirit Mountain, racers will climb from Grand Avenue to the top of the Skyline Duluth Traverse. From there, the course hits all the highlights through Piedmont and Brewer Park before dropping into Keene Creek. Riders will complete a lap on Spirit Mountain’s newly refreshed XC loop and finish on the classic singletrack of Knowlton Creek.

This year’s course comes in at just over 27 miles, featuring nearly 20 miles of world-class singletrack and about 2,600 feet of climbing.

Find the Northern Exposure Map HERE!

Date: Sunday, August 9, at 8:30AM

Registration Check-in: August 9, 7AM-8AM

Race Age Groups:

Masters (60+)
50-59
40-49
17-39
16 and Under
Single Speed (Single Speed Bike)

Beginner Enduro Race

Want to try enduro racing but don't know where to start? This race is a great opportunity to get your toes wet! Experience the thrill of enduro racing on beginner rated trails! This race includes two timed downhill stages. The course is set up to accommodate riders of beginner skill level and up.

Date: Sunday, August 9, at 8:30AM

Registration Check-in: August 9th, 7AM-8:15AM

Race Details:

Beginner Enduro Stage 1: 8:30-9:30AM (pedal)
Beginner Enduro Stage 2: 9:30-10:30AM (lift)

Race Age Groups:

40+
Open (17-39)
13-16
12 and Under (Not Lake Superior Gravity Series Scored)

Lift Ticket Required

SRAM Suspension Clinic

Join RockShox and Ski Hut for a hands‑on suspension clinic designed to demystify your suspension, build confidence, and empower you to experiment with all the knobs, dials, and settings that help fine‑tune your ride.

Date: Sunday, August 9, 9:00AM-12:00PM

Registration Check-in: August 9th, 7AM-8:45AM

Disclaimer

Listed race times are subject to change. Race times are confirmed and shared the week before the Festival. All events and races are subject to weather and trail conditions and may be adjusted as needed. Races that require a Spirit Mountain lift ticket to be purchased at registration are noted. Event raises funds as a nonprofit benefit festival. No refunds are available.