Gnarly Bandit Series

How to Enter:

• Join the UMTR! You must be a member to compete in the Gnarly Bandit.
  – On the membership form, mark the box that indicates entry into the Gnarly Bandit Series.
• You must be registered for the Gnarly before the first race, the Zumbro 100M on  (email gnarly.bandit@umtr.org to indicate your interest)
  – Races are not credited retroactively.
• That accomplished, you are in the series – but you have a few things left to do…
  – You are responsible for your own registration and fees for each race.
  – Note: Some races have field limits, so best not to procrastinate.

Remember, too, the work of all who make this series possible. The individual races, volunteers, sponsors, and the UMTR. Drop them a note, e-mail, or for the races, express these sentiments at the event. We may be gnarly, but we’re gnarly nice.

What the Gnarly Bandit himself says (known as Rules by some)

• “Of course you have to join them UMTR people before you start, and ya’ gotta throw your hat in on the Gnarly series before the first race. Do I have to break a log over your head?”
• “I can’t guarantee you entry into any of the races, you gotta do that. Don’t come crying to me out on the ranch about not getting’ in one of my races. Enter ‘em all now, for goodness sake. What are you, chicken? And you gotta pay your own fees; did I even have to be saying that?”
• “Y’all gotta start at the same time. Nobody be sneakin’ out on them there trails early.”
• “Official finishes, as determined by the RD, is what counts. You gotta submit yours to UMTR. They're a little slow on the uptake; don’t expect them to figure it out I’ll tell you that right now.”
• “Each Gnarly finisher is recognized with a special award — them UMTR people know some crafty folks — plus you’ll be a-sharin’ in the pot of gold. Now them are some nice neighbors.
• “One volunteer effort is required by season’s end. You slickers, get out thar and be doin’ something. You don’t expect me to be out there a-doing work, do ya? I gotta take care of the ranches! I gotta be rockin’ in my chair. So, you volunteer at any race, includin’ showshoe, of the current series year. Them race director entrants are exempted from this volunteer requirement because they pay me secretly under the table. he, he, he.”
• “Expect to be hearin’ from me, too, ‘cause I’ll be payin’ attention if you’re tough enough to earn my honors.”
• “And if yer hankerin' to improve your runnin', Mark and the Performance Running Group are itchin' to help ya!

The Gnarly Hall of Fame

“These Gnarlyites are the Gnarliest of them runner-types. Gettin’ on my Hall of Fame is harder than gettin’ a bull to give milk — but these few went and did it no-how. Well, here’s a tip of the old duster and a new chaw in the jowl just to be a-celebratin’.”

* By completing the Wild Duluth 100K in addition to the regular (4 race) Gnarly schedule in 2010, Daryl completed what was then known as the Ultimate Gnarly (5 races). As of 2011, all 5 races were required to officially complete the one-and-only Gnarly Bandit schedule.

2020 - Covid 19 shut everything down in March, thus causing race cancellation

2023 - No runners survived completed the series.