Races for Kids
At Grandma's Marathon we realize the future of the sport of running lies in the hands (or legs) of our youth. That’s why we’re committed to providing children with opportunities to experience the thrill of running in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. We’re happy to host several races tailored just for children including the Whipper Snapper Races for Kids, Park Point 5-Miler Youth Races, Wednesday Night at the Races series and Grandma's Minnesota Mile Youth Race.
To find out more about these events, read below.
Whipper Snapper Races for Kids
Grandma's Marathon weekend is for kids, too! Children ages 14 and under are invited to participate in a race of their own at the Whipper Snapper Races for Kids.
Date/Location: Friday, June 20, 2013 at Bayfront Festival Park
Registration: Begins at noon at Bayfront Festival Park. These races are free!
In addition, children and their families will have a chance to get up close and personal with some of the area’s favorite mascots, including Wells Fargo Bank’s "Jack the Dog," "Bullseye" from Target, "Champ" the Bulldog from the University of Minnesota Duluth, "Killer Bee" from the University of Wisconsin- Superior, "The Cow" from Kemp’s Ice Cream, the Duluth Lion’s Club lion, the KOOL 101.7 FM penguin and "Harley D. Huskie" from the Duluth Huskies. These and other mascots get the event started with a mascot race at 2 p.m.
Start Time: Races start at 2 p.m. beginning with the youngest age group and ending with the oldest children.
Distance: Children will run between 80 meters and a quarter mile depending on their age.
Prizes: All children will receive a goodie bag, a bib # with the number 1 on it, and a ribbon when they cross the finish line.
Park Point Youth Races
The Park Point 5-Miler kids races are held in conjunction with the Park Point 5-Miler – Minnesota’s oldest road race. The children’s races are free and open to kids ages 14 and under.
Date/location: Friday, July 19, 2013, will be held at the end of Park Point near the main beach house.
Registration: Registration for the Park Point Youth Races is from at 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. These races are free. We encourage participants to plan extra traveling time into their schedules in case the Aerial Lift Bridge goes up.
Start Time: The youth races will start promptly at 5:30 p.m. beginning with the youngest age group and ending with the oldest children.
Age Groups and Distance: Children will be split up into groups according to their age. Age groups and distances* are as follows:
4 & Under – 1/8 mile
5 & 6 years old – 1/8 mile
7 & 8 years old – 1/4 mile
9 & 10 years old – 1/4 mile
11 & 12 years old – 1/2 mile
13 & 14 years old – 1/2 mile
*Distances may vary due to weather
Prizes: Everyone’s a champion at this event! All children will receive a ribbon upon completing their race.
Wednesday Night at the Races
Everyone's a Champion at Wednesday Night at the Races! This popular family event is held for six consecutive Wednesdays from the end of July to the end of August. The 2012 series of Wednesday Night at the Races drew an average of 400 children per night!
2013 Dates/Locations:
July 24 - UMD Griggs Field
July 31 - Ordean Stadium Track at Duluth East High School
August 7 - Lincoln Park Middle School
August 14 - Hermantown High School Track
August 21 - Central Park, Superior
August 28 - Park Point (followed by year-end picnic)
Registration: Registration is from 5:00 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. each evening of the series. These races are free.
Start Time: The races will start promptly at 6:00 p.m. beginning with the youngest age group and ending with the oldest children.
Age Groups and Distance: Children will be split up into groups according to their age. Age groups and distances* are as follows:
4 & Under – 1/8 mile
5 & 6 years old – 1/8 mile
7 & 8 years old – 1/4 mile
9 & 10 years old – 1/4 mile
11 & 12 years old – 1/2 mile
13 & 14 years old – 1/2 mile
*Distances may vary due to weather
Prizes: Each week, children will receive a ribbon upon completing their race.
T-shirts and medallions will be awarded to all participants at the last event of the series on August 28, 2013. In addition, a celebratory picnic will be held at this last event and everybody is welcome to eat!
Grandma's Minnesota Mile Youth Race
Calling all children ages 8 to 14! Join us for a one-mile run through the heart of downtown Duluth. This race is head in conjunction with the Grandma's Minnesota Mile Duluth, which features five race divisions - a children's race for ages 8 to 14, a wheelchair race, a recreational race, a semi-elite race and an elite race. It's truly an event for all levels of ability!
Date/location: Sunday, September 8, 2013; Race starts near Fitger's and ends near the Holiday Center on Superior Street.
Registration:
Online Pre-Registration: FREE for children ages 8 to 14
Late Registration: FREE for children ages 8 to 14 - Fitger's Lobby (600 E. Superior Street)
Saturday, September 8: Noon to 6 p.m.
Race day: 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Race Number Pick-up: Fitger's Lobby
Saturday, September 8: Noon to 6 p.m.
Race day: 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Start Time: The youth race will start promptly at 9:00 a.m. Boys and Girls will run together.
Prizes: All children will receive a finisher shirt.
For more information on any of these youth races, contact Grandma's Marathon headquarters at (218) 727-0947.
