Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ Loopet Loppet
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Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ Loopet Loppet
The event celebrates Dakota people, land, and traditions along Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ, the Dakota name for Bassett Creek. It offers multi-hour trail running and hiking formats for individuals and relay teams of up to four, where participants complete repeated loops on marked trails.
Additional untimed and youth options are offered alongside the multi-hour formats. The course starts and finishes at the Trailhead at Theodore Wirth Park and uses a looped course that allows repeated laps.
Distances and loops:
- 5-mile loop used for the multi-hour events and relay exchanges
- 1-mile loop for the untimed one-loop event
- ~0.5-mile Little Loopet designed for children
Aid stations include a full ultramarathon station between loops highlighting Dakota foods (cookies by Owamni and wild rice blueberry muffins by Powwow Grounds), an electrolyte beverage at the Trailhead station, and a self-serve water station at mile 3. Pacers are permitted under event rules and relay teams may exchange runners between loops.
The event includes cultural elements and learning resources: partners help with pronunciation of Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ, an oral history podcast shares Native perspectives about the West Metro, and the Trailhead gallery features photographer Cassandra Roy. Awards include pumpkins decorated by Little Loopet participants, and event swag and finisher stickers feature Indigenous artists. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
