Veggie Run Half Marathon

This Veggie Run Half Marathon course traverses most of Treasured Haven Farm with a wide variety of terrain, ravines, hills, woodlands, and grassy fields. This is a challenging course that has been called one of the most beautiful and peaceful half marathon courses by accomplished runners.

The course for this event covers the entire farm and does not have any water crossings, however it does have a road crossing,with the course otherwise is entirely on farm trails. There is approximately one 3 mile segment that is run twice during the courseof the Half Marathon.

Truly an inspiring run and personal challenge. Various Finishers Awards are given for the Half Marathon and also awards for top Overall Winners.

This race has a central water station and checkpoint that is intersected multiple times during the race, which also makes a good spectator area. The course comes into this point from multiple directions and is NOT simply multiple loops… there is approximately one 3 mile segment that is run twice during the course of the half marathon, but the race is NOT multiple loops of the same course. A table is available at this station with a water cooler and cups, or you can leave a marked water bottle or pouch.

Each Finisher receives an award engraved on downed wood from the woodlands of the farm along the trails. All awards and shirts are created right on the farm.

Treasured Haven Farm Trail Runs follow the farm trails through a mix of slightly rolling open field and prairie areas, woods, ravines, and woodland hills, many that overlook Rock Creek. The farm trails were created to be used for monitoring our organic fields, woodland management, or accessing the maple trees that are tapped to make maple syrup. You enjoy the countryside and woodlands traversing an organic family farm while running or hiking a very unique race here on the edge of the St. Croix River Valley near Rush City in East Central Minnesota. The farm is located an easy drive five miles off the I-35 corridor and conveniently located within an hour from the Twin Cities Metro, 90 minutes from Duluth, and easily accessible from other areas of Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. The farm has seen runners from over 25 states in the ten years the events have been held.

The Trail Runs at Treasured Haven Farm serve many purposes.  The private farm trails provide a great running opportunityand are self-sustained through the trail runs held on the farm. The events are a labor of love by the Johnson Family and solely sponsored by Treasured Haven Farm. We love to share this natural environment with those who appreciate it’s amazing beauty and nature’s challenges, and to encourage the sport of cross country and trail running for all ages. We also offer our course forhigh school cross country meets. Many liken the experience to running through a beautiful private park. The trail running events help to connect people with nature, the land, agriculture, and organic farmers, and to take and active part in supporting thecontinuation of family farming as well. 

The Story behind the first trail system creation. The original ravine trails were created in 1997 when Farmer Peg was battling for her life with a rare illness and being in contact with the land clearing a special trail in one of the ravines made her come alive and the dream for hosting trail runs was born. As the the first female athlete to have the honor and priviledge to participate in the sport of cross country at the local high school back in 1977, and no longer able to run due to back injury, Peg continues to enjoy the sport vicariously by “running” the races and the whole family is moved by watching others participate. It is that healing energy, the blissful surroundings of nature, but also that determination and will to not only survive, but to thrive, that is so present when runners also traverse those same trails. She vowed that we would ALL see the day that the family would hold races on the trails. That dream came true starting in 2010 and the farm has hosted multiple trail runs each year since! 

To see runners experience that joy of meeting their challenges, the determination and pride in themselves running their own race… priceless! The races exist to challenge and to dig deep within and inspire others to what is possible! You’ve Got This! 

Teams and groups are encouraged! The race events are open to teams, groups, and companies as well. It is a great location and venue to provide team building and a group challenge where all the logistics of the event set-up are handled. The group leader just organizes the runners and submits the registration. If you have a group of ten or more runners for a race, contact the farm for more info for a Group Registration option or other information.