Apple Blossom Race

View results from 2010 at Vacation Sports

Celebrate spring with Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center’s Apple Blossom Races. The Nationally Registered 5K (Code: MN-85010-1) uses all paved surfaces, walkers are welcome on the 5K only. The 10K uses some of the same route but breaks off and follows almost 4 miles of the Nature Center’s trail system overlooking the St. Croix River. Some of the trails are not paved. The hilly Nationally Registered 1/2 Marathon (Code: MN96002-RR) follows some local roadways near the Nature Center and passes many of the area’s apple orchards that promise to be at or near full bloom.

Training schedules

5K Training Schedule

Half Marathon Training Schedule

General Information

The 5K, 10K, and 1/2 Marathon all start at 8:00 a.m. at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, 2 miles north of the Nature Center on County Road 21. Arrive early, park and register at Carpenter Nature Center then enjoy a chauffeured ride to the starting line. Water, portable toilets, route maps, starting instructions and complimentary clothing check available at the start. All races finish in front of the Nature Center’s interpretive center. Water and split-timers will be plentiful on each course. The 2K Fun Run will start at 11:30 a.m. at the Nature Center.

Registration

The Registration Area will be located in Carpenter Nature Center’s parking lot. All parking is at the Nature Center with rides furnished to the start area. Fee for the 5K & 10K is $25 ($32 after May 14). For the 1/2 Marathon the fee is $32.00 ($40 after May 14). The first 600 registrants for 5K, 10K, or 1/2 Marathon are guaranteed a T-shirt on Race Day. Additional T-shirts will be available at a later date. 2K registration is free without T-shirt, $10.00 with a T-shirt.

Reminder – register and pick up your race bib and timing chip at Carpenter Nature Center. These will not be available at the starting line. You will be bussed up to the starting line from Carpenter Nature Center.

You can pre-register in two ways. The first is by printing an entry form, filling it out, and mailing it to Carpenter Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings, MN 55033 with the appropriate fee. For a printable registration form, click here This will open a new browser window which will contain the registration form to print. Once you have printed the form press the ‘X’ button in the upper right hand corner of the form window to return here. If mailing your registration, make checks payable to Carpenter Nature Center. Visa & MasterCard are also accepted. The second way to pre-register is on-line with Midwest Events.

Awards

sweatshirts will be awarded to each CLASS WINNER in the 5K, 10K and ½ Marathon. The overall male and female winner (ages 12 and under) of the 2K Fun run will receive a race sweatshirt. Results posted (on site) and awards presented at ceremonies 30-45 minutes after the last runner finishes each race.