Date
September 21–22, 2024
Race Location
The Trailhead
at Theodore Wirth Park
1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55422
Team Tent Assignments
Parking
Parking is available in the Mortensen parking lot at 700 Meadow Lane (use 700 Meadow Ln N, Golden Valley, MN 55422 as your destination address for maps) and in the MN United building parking lot across Meadow Lane. No parking in reserved spaces. The route to the race venue is highlighted in pink—along the trail up to the Trailhead. The trail is a multi-use trail, open to the public and people should be mindful of other users when walking or riding. Note: Accessible parking spots are available with proper permit in the parking lot across from the Trailhead.
There is no parking in the Animal Human Society lot or in the Golf Course lot. There is no drop-off available, park in the designated Mortenson lots and plan to ride up to the venue along the trail.
Make sure to plan enough time for parking and walking to the race venue on race day.
Infield Map
Walk Your Bike Areas
The area in and around team tents is always a walk your bike area. Everyone is expected to walk their bike in these areas; if you are riding or are “scootering” with one foot on the pedal, you or your team could be penalized.
Other areas that are walk your bike areas include the start line during staging, the area around the registration trailer and the medical tents. Additional areas may be signed for walk your bike depending on the venue. All race attendees must follow these walk your bike rules. If an area is busy or you aren’t sure whether it’s a place to ride – please walk your bike!
No scooters, skateboards, unicycles, or other wheeled devices (excepting wheelchairs or mobility chairs) may be ridden in these areas. These are busy areas with lots of people and it is important for the safety of all attendees that everyone walks their bike.
Race Weekend Schedule
Call-Ups
Call-ups for riders having their first race are based on previous year race results. Category adjustments were included, where appropriate (Example: JV3 racer advanced to Varsity, adjustment made to first race value). New racers are placed behind racers with race history. New racers were randomized among new racers.
Race Weekend FAQs
Visit our Race Weekend FAQs for information about registration, race plates, spectating, volunteering and more.
Race Course Description
This is a brand-new course, about 3.7 mi in length, traversing grass and ski trails, then turning into Area 36 singletrack trails with a healthy sprinkling of punchy hills, roots and berms.
The course is not finalized, but the following map shows the basic plans.
GPX File
Not yet available.
Pre-ride the Course
While the venue can be ridden during regular trail hours, the MCA race course will use sections of the park that are not part of the trail system, and which bikes are prohibited from using anytime except during the race weekend. Under no circumstances should you ride the sections of course that will be using the Par 3 golf course property or the ski trails. If you are riding before race weekend, stay on marked trails. Pre-ride will be available with your team on race weekends. Talk to your coach about when your team’s pre-ride will occur.
Race weekend pre-ride times:
In general, student-athletes with their coaches can pre-ride on race weekends once the course is set and marked.Hours for pre-ride are:
- Friday from 4:30 pm* – sunset; (start time may vary depending on course set, do not enter the course until it is announced and marked as open)
- Saturday from ~7:30 am – 11:00 am (last rider may enter course, all riders must be off the course by 11:30 am) and
- Saturday afternoon, after racing is concluded and the course is announced as open for pre-ride – sunset, and
- Sunday from 7:00 AM (last rider on course at 7:30 am, all riders must be off the course by 8:00 am).
Pre-ride hours may be adjusted based on weather, race delays, etc. Any changes will be communicated at the venue and through the Rained Out app.
Pre-ride rules:
Individual student-athletes cannot pre-ride without an MCA coach.
All individuals must have their valid 2023 number plate (student-athlete or coach) attached to their bike.
Pre-riding by non-MCA registered individuals is not allowed.
Teams are responsible for leading and managing the pre-ride of their team.
The registration trailer is not open the entire time that pre-ride is scheduled. It is the responsibility of the student-athlete or coach to remember their number plates for pre-ride.
As a courtesy to other races, do not pre-ride the race course if you are not scheduled to race that weekend, or pre-ride after your race (example: middle school pre-riding on Saturday evening).
Pre-ride is an opportunity to preview and understand the course, it should not be used to set a fast time or as an opportunity to race the course.
All pre-ride rules can be found in Chapter 7 of the MCA Sporting Regulations.
Camping
No camping is available at this venue.
Be Race Ready
Be prepared with a bike that is race-ready and have the appropriate tools on hand for tires (CO2 canister and/or hand pump, puncture repair kit, spare inner tube), chain (spare links, chain lube), and adjustments (multi-tool).
Special Notes
- Drones are prohibited at all MCA Events
- Be considerate of our venue and use the trash receptacles.
- Dogs on a leash are permitted in the infield. Owners are expected to maintain control of the dog at all times (including barking control) and to clean up after their pet. Primary concerns are the safety of the racers, team support, and spectators.
Concessions
Mill Valley Market at the Trailhead will be open and serving.
Results
You can view unofficial race results here during the race weekend: http://www.precisionrace.com/mca . Official results will be posted on our website once they have been validated.
Be Social
Be sure to like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram for race day and season updates.
Photos
Photos from the race will be available to purchase and download, typically 2-3 days following the race. The link to view photos will be posted on our Race Results, Photos & Videos page.