Whipper Snapper Races

The countdown is on!

Grandma’s Marathon weekend isn’t just for the adults. Bring the kids for their own race, complete with finisher medals!
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Race Date: June 16, 2023
Race Location: Duluth, MN
Race Age Limit: 14 & Under
Race Entry Fee: FREE

Schedule of Events
YAF Festival for Kids: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
In-Person Registration: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Whipper Snapper Races: 2:00 p.m.

IMPORTANT: The Whipper Snapper Races for Kids are a popular weekend event, so online pre-registration is encouraged to help ease congestion and eliminate waiting time on race day.

Future Whipper
Snapper Races
Dates

June 16, 2023
June 21, 2024
June 20, 2025
June 19, 2026
June 18, 2027
June 16, 2028
June 15, 2029
June 21, 2030

It’s For The Kids!

Grandma’s Marathon weekend shouldn’t be just for the adults, so be sure to bring the kids to Bayfront Festival Park for their very own race complete with finisher medals!

Bring them out to Bayfront Festival Park on Friday afternoon on race weekend, and let them join hundreds of other children to get their running fix.

These fun, short-distance races are the perfect way to introduce kids to running or to keep the fire burning bright for your future marathon finisher. You just may have a Grandma’s Marathon champion of the future on your hands!

All participants will receive an official race number, finisher medal, and a goodie bag!

LOCATION

BAYFRONT FESTIVAL PARK
350 Harbor Drive
Duluth, MN 55802

AGE GROUPS & DISTANCES

AGE GROUPS & DISTANCES

4 Years Old & Younger --- 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

SWAG ITEMS

All participants will receive an official race number, finisher medal, and a goodie bag!

FESTIVAL FOR KIDS

Join us for a celebration of fitness and fun for kids to kickoff Grandma's Marathon weekend.

 

MAIN STAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Main stage acts for kids will begin at 12:00 p.m.

 

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Climbing Wall
  • Face Painting
  • Bounce House & Inflatables
  • Playfront Park

 

The Young Athletes Foundation (YAF) is a Grandma's Marathon program focused on the promotion and development of fitness and health lifestyles for kids.

ACCESSIBILITY

Our Whipper Snapper Races for Kids are accessible to our wheelchair and adaptive participants. Families in need of special accommodations can call our office ahead of time at (218) 727-0947 or speak with a race official upon arrival.

YOUNG ATHLETES FOUNDATION

The Athletes Foundation (YAF), the charity arm of Grandma’s Marathon, was created in 1990 to assist with the promotion and development of healthy and active lifestyles for youth throughout Carlton, Cook, Douglas, Lake, and St. Louis Counties. Since its inception, the YAF has donated more than $1.1 million to the community’s youth athletic, recreational, and nonprofit organizations.

If you are interested in volunteering for any of our Young Athletes Foundation (YAF) events or have any other questions, please contact our Program Director Alivia Nelson via email at [email protected]dmasmarathon.com or call our office at (218) 727-0947.

Fitger's 5K History

The Fitger’s 5K began in 1990 and over more than three decades has now become Duluth’s premier spring running event.

The 3.1-mile race traditionally starts and finishes in front of the historic Fitger’s building. The scenic race course takes participants through downtown Duluth and Canal Park.

Below are the all-time Fitger’s 5K race records and winners from each year. NOTE: Some early records are incomplete and our staff is working to retrieve those dating back to 1990.

2022 Fitger's 5K Parking Info

The Fitger’s 5K course starts and finishes just outside the historic Fitger’s Lakefront Hotel in downtown Duluth. They travel eastward toward 23rd Avenue East on Superior Street, London Road, and South Street.

2022 Fitger's 5K Parking Info

The Fitger’s 5K course starts and finishes just outside the historic Fitger’s Lakefront Hotel in downtown Duluth. They travel eastward toward 23rd Avenue East on Superior Street, London Road, and South Street.

2022 Fitger's 5K Parking Info

Free parking for the event is available in the parking ramp located next to Fitger’s.

Fitger’s Complex
600 E. Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802

2022 Fitger's 5K Race Packet Pickup Info

The Fitger’s 5K course starts and finishes just outside the historic Fitger’s Lakefront Hotel in downtown Duluth. They travel eastward toward 23rd Avenue East on Superior Street, London Road, and South Street.

2022 Fitger's 5K Swag Items

The Fitger’s 5K course starts and finishes just outside the historic Fitger’s Lakefront Hotel in downtown Duluth. They travel eastward toward 23rd Avenue East on Superior Street, London Road, and South Street.