2024 Whipper Snapper Races for Kids registration will open in the spring.
2024 Whipper Snapper Races for Kids registration is now open.
To 2025 Race Day
- 32Days
- 10Hours
- 48Minutes
- 58Seconds
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!
2025 RACE DETAILS
Schedule of Events
YAF Festival for Kids: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
In-Person Registration: 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Whipper Snapper Races: 4:00 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.
BAYFRONT FESTIVAL PARK
350 Harbor Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
Heats for the Whipper Snapper Races for Kids will be separated by age group, beginning with the youngest kids running the shortest distance. The breakdown of the age group and distances are below:
Ages 4 & Younger — 1/8 Mile
Ages 5 & 6 — 1/8 Mile
Ages 7 & 8 — 1/4 Mile
Ages 9 & 10 — 1/4 Mile
Ages 11 & 12 — 1/2 Mile
Ages 13 & 14— 1/2 Mile
NOTE: The world-famous mascot race will occur before the kids’ heats begin at 4:00 p.m.
All participants in the Whipper Snapper Races for Kids will receive an official race number and finisher medal. Each participant will also receive a goodie bag at the conclusion of their race.
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.
DECC PARKING RAMP & BAYFRONT FESTIVAL PARK LOT
350 Harbor Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
Paid parking on race weekend is available for $10 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) parking ramp the Bayfront Festival Park open lot.
Metered and other paid parking is available in Canal Park or downtown Duluth, which is approximately one-half mile away from the DECC. NOTE: To crossover I-35, or to help protect pedestrians from cold or inclement weather, there is an indoor skywalk system that connects downtown Duluth to the DECC facilities.
BIKE VALET
Skip the traffic when exploring Duluth! To help make our event a more accessible biking destination, we will offer a bike valet on both Friday and Saturday of race weekend. Just like a coat check, we’ll tag your bike and provide you with a claim stub. When you’re ready to move on, come get your bike, and off you go!
This complimentary service is available at the following times and locations on race weekend:
Friday, June 20
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), near Entrance A
Saturday, June 21
6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Corner of Buchanan Street & Lake Avenue
RIDE THE BUS
Use the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) to ease the stress of moving around town on race weekend! NOTE: Be sure to utilize the DTA Trip Planner to plan your weekend activities.
SKYWALK ACCESS
Use the indoor skywalk system to cross Interstate-35 and access the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). Enter the skywalk in downtown Duluth at the Holiday Center (207 W. Superior Street).
For answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Grandma’s Marathon race weekend, please click HERE.
YAF FESTIVAL FOR KIDS
Sponsored by the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF), the festival will run from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21. Activities for the kids will include:
- Encore Event & Party Express – Bounce House & Other Inflatables
- Fit4Mom Duluth – Obstacle Course
- Great Lakes Aquarium – Live Animals (weather permitting)
- Minnesota Hockey – Bounce House & Other Inflatables
- Positive Energy Outdoors – Climbing Wall
- Ski Hut – Balance Bikes & Prizes
- Minnesota Vikings – Meet Viktor the Viking
- Lightpseed Lift – Weight-Assisted Treadmill
- Duluth Goat Yoga – Live Animals (weather permitting)
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 $1.3 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 alivia@grandmasmarathon.com or call our office at (218) 727-0947.