THE KP CHALLENGE RACES
The Saint Fennessy 4K is the first race of the KP Challenge, offering a fun and festive atmosphere to kick things off with a distance that’s perfect for both beginners or seasoned runners.
2026 RACE DATE: Saturday, March 14
The Fitger’s 5K comes second in the the three-race KP Challenge, offering participants a slightly longer distance and a chance to run in one of the region’s most popular spring races.
2026 RACE DATE: Saturday, April 18
The Park Point 5-Miler is the longest and most challenging of the three races. In mid-July, it’s a great chance to complete your KP Challenge while enjoying a summer evening!
2026 RACE DATE: Thursday, July 16
ARE YOU UP FOR A CHALLENGE?
We know you don’t shy away from a challenge, so why not take on the KP Challenge?!
With three great YAF races spread out across the early spring and into the summer, the KP Challenge offers a perfect mix of distances and challenges for rookie and veteran runners alike.
The KP Challenge was created in memory of Kevin Peterson, a dear friend of Grandma’s Marathon who lost his battle to pancreatic cancer in 2013. A member of the marathon’s founding organization, the North Shore Striders, Peterson’s involvement with the race continued throughout his life as a Board member and volunteer.
2025 Participation
Kids Run Free
In celebration of its 50th year, Grandma’s Marathon has announced that it will offer FREE KIDS ENTRIES (18 & under) to each of the five Young Athletes Foundation races in 2026.
Healthy communities start with healthy kids. By removing the element of cost for these races, we hope to open the door for more kids to run, play, and discover what they’re capable of.
This is how healthy lifestyles start, and it’s just one of the ways we can help take care of our community and extend the amazing impact of Grandma’s Marathon past one weekend in June.
We hope there’s plenty of new faces at our events in 2026. We’re excited to see you at the start line!
THE SWAG
PARTICIPANT SWAG
All KP Challenge participants will have the opportunity to purchase a commemorative KP Challenge crewneck sweatshirt. NOTE: This item comes in adult sizes only. The $25 cost for the sweatshirt is optional and would be in addition to the race entry fee.
All KP Challenge participants will also receive the included swag for each of the three races — Saint Fennessy 4K, Fitger’s 5K, and Park Point 5-Miler.
SKIP THE T & PLANT A TREE
If you’ve already got too many running shirts at home, we’re giving you the perfect way to skip it while also doing some good for the world we live in!
The Young Athletes Foundation and Let’s Plant Trees are partnering in a sustainablity initiative that allows participants the choice to plant a tree instead of receiving a shirt at each of our events in 2026.
Let’s Plant Trees is a Minnesota nonprofit that provides free native tree seedlings to community members across Northern Minnesota, supporting reforestation, wildlife habitat, and healthy forests for future generations.
SKIP THE T & PLANT A TREE
If you’ve already got too many running shirts at home, we’re giving you the perfect way to skip it while also doing some good for the world we live in!
The Young Athletes Foundation and Let’s Plant Trees are partnering in a sustainablity initiative that allows participants the choice to plant a tree instead of receiving a shirt at each of our events in 2026.
Let’s Plant Trees is a Minnesota nonprofit that provides free native tree seedlings to community members across Northern Minnesota, supporting reforestation, wildlife habitat, and healthy forests for future generations.
Just by signing up, you’re part of it. Your registration is more than support of only our race, it’s helping in our efforts to bring confidence, opportunity, and connection to young people across our region.
To date, the YAF has contributed more than $1.8 million to our community. Just by signing up and showing up at the start line, you help us extend that impact.
Your support means we can continue to provide youth running programs, school and community grants, scholarships, and free running shoes for kids who otherwise might not be able to participate.
Your participations helps us remove barriers so every child can experience the joy, pride, and lifelong health benefits that come with being active. Your generosity can and will shape the next generation — not just of runners, but of leaders, learners, and community members.
Your support makes all the difference. Together, we can keep every finish line open to everyone.
Every step. Every finisher. Every smile.
Just by signing up, you’re part of it. Your registration is more than support of only our race, it’s helping in our efforts to bring confidence, opportunity, and connection to young people across our region.
To date, the YAF has contributed more than $1.8 million to our community. Just by signing up and showing up at the start line, you help us extend that impact.
Your support means we can continue to provide youth running programs, school and community grants, scholarships, and free running shoes for kids who otherwise might not be able to participate.
Your participations helps us remove barriers so every child can experience the joy, pride, and lifelong health benefits that come with being active. Your generosity can and will shape the next generation — not just of runners, but of leaders, learners, and community members.
Your support makes all the difference. Together, we can keep every finish line open to everyone.
Every step. Every finisher. Every smile.
RACE DAY PHOTOS
YOUNG ATHLETES FOUNDATION
The mission of the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF) is to assist in the promotion, development, and growth of youth athletics and activities that encourage physical fitness, mental, and emotional well-being.
Since its inception in 1990, the YAF has contributed more than $1.8 million of community support through our grant program, running shoe program, and both the Eleanor Rynda and Steve & Carolyn Mather scholarships. The organization also hosts several kids’ events throughout the year including our Wednesday Night & Saturday Morning at the Races series.
The YAF’s mission is helped and funded by various road races throughout the year — KP Challenge, Saint Fennessy 4K, Fitger’s 5K, Park Point 5-Miler, Minnesota Mile, and Superior Nightmare 5K.
If you are interested in volunteering for any of our YAF events or have any other questions, please contact our Program Director Alivia Nelson via email at [email protected] or call our office at (218) 727-0947.