TO 2026 RACE DAY
Saturday, March 14
Hermantown, MN | 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, March 14 | Hermantown, MN | 10:00 a.m.
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NEXT PRICE INCREASE — MARCH 1
The best 3-for-1 deal anywhere in local road racing — take the KP 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.
Runners don’t take shortcuts, but this is one you’ll like — it’s only $65 for adults to enter all three races!
Saint Fennessy 4K — March 14 | Fitger’s 5K — April 18 | Park Point 5-Miler — July 16
Saint Fennessy 4K — March 14
Fitger’s 5K — April 18
Park Point 5-Miler — July 16
Online registration for the 20XX Saint Fennessy 4K is now closed. Race packet pickup and in-person registration is available Friday-Saturday, March 14-15 at the following times and locations:
Friday, March 14 — 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Skyline Social & Games (4894 Miller Trunk Highway)
Saturday, March 15 — 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Skyline Social & Games (4894 Miller Trunk Highway)
NOTE: The capacity for this year’s race is 900 participants. Registration is taken on a first-come, first-served basis until that capacity is reached.
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!
SHAMROCK & ROLL
The perfect start to our annual racing calendar, the Saint Fennessy 4K is a chance for our participants to shake off the winter blues and celebrate… St. Patrick’s Day style.
An out-and-back racecourse that starts and finishes at Skyline Social & Games in Hermantown makes this a perfect race for veteran runners hoping to set a new PR, and the shorter 4K distance makes it an inviting event for those who aren’t regulars in the running scene.
PLUS, a post-race costume contest offers participants with the most St. Paddy’s Day spirit the chance at some lucky charms and a pot o’ gold!
2025 Participation
2026 RACE DETAILS
RACE DATE & TIME
Saturday, March 14 | 10:00 a.m.
START & FINISH LINE
Skyline Social & Games
4894 Miller Trunk Highway
Duluth, MN 55811
The Saint Fennessy 4K course starts and finishes at Skyline Social & Games.
The out-and-back course begins on Stebner Road, with participants running toward Arrowhead Road. After turning right onto Arrowhead Road, participants will continue until the turnaround just before Lavaque Road. After the turnaround, participants then head back on Arrowhead Road before finishing on Stebner Road.
Pricing Structure (Adults)
January 1-January 21 — $20
January 22-February 28 — $30
March 1-Race Day — $40
Pricing Structure (Youth – Ages 18 & Under)
January 1-Race Day — FREE
Per Minnesota’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act, all listed race entry costs include surcharges and processing fees.
No pets, motor vehicles, bicycles, handcycles, hand-cranked wheelchairs, roller skis, inline skates, or unregistered participants are allowed on the racecourse.
Baby joggers and strollers are allowed at YAF events but must start in the back of the corral.
Pushrim wheelchair competitors, duo teams, and other adaptive athletes are encouraged to participate but must follow all Wheelchair & Adaptive Program Guidance. NOTE: Adaptive athletes are asked to contact Race Director Greg Haapala via phone at (218) 727-0947 prior to registering so that all reasonable accommodations can be provided.
Online registration will be open until 11:59 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 13. Race packet pickup and in-person registration will be available at the following times and locations:
FRIDAY, MARCH 14
12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. @ Skyline Social & Games
SATURDAY, MARCH 15
8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. @ Skyline Social & Games
Free parking for participants, volunteers, and spectators will be available in the Skyline Social & Games and Marcus Lakes Cinema parking lots. NOTE: Those parking in the Marcus Lake Cinema lot must move their vehicles by 12:00 p.m. on race day.
On event day, Stebner Road will be closed between West Arrowhead Road and Village Drive from 9:15-11:45 a.m., and West Arrowhead Road will be closed between Stebner Road and Lavaque Road from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Motorists can use Miller Trunk Highway/Highway 53 or Maple Grove Road as detour routes between Lavaque and Stebner Roads.
THE SWAG
PARTICIPANT SHIRT
All Saint Fennessy 4K participants will receive a long sleeve shirt, included with the entry fee. NOTE: Adult and youth sizes may vary in color and style.
PARTICIPANT SOCKS
All Saint Fennessy 4K participants will also have the option to purchase commemorative Fitsoks, either during registration or at packet pickup.
FREE DRINK TICKET OR ARCADE CREDIT
All Saint Fennessy 4K participants will receive a free drink ticket that can be used following the race. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic options will be available. Tickets can also be used for an arcade credit.
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.
THE POST-RACE PARTY
POST-RACE PARTY
Skyline Social & Games will open for business at 8:00 a.m. on race day, with the kitchen scheduled to open at 10:00 a.m.
Participants are encouraged to stay for one of the best post-race parties around, complete with festive St. Patrick’s Day-themed drinks (listed below).
Shamrock Sprint — $7
vodka, peach schnapps, blue curacao, orange juice, pineapple juice, orange slice, and a cherry
Not Granny’s Apple — $7
whiskey, citrus sour, green apple puree, soda water, and a green apple slice
Green Beer — $5.75
Michelob Ultra
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
COSTUME CONTEST
A costume contest determines the day’s best dressed, so Saint Fennessy 4K participants are encouraged to come wearing their best St. Patrick’s Day attire.
Winners of the following categories are awarded prizes following the voting portion of the costume contest, which comes via our social media channels following the race.
Best Overall | Best Group | Best Kids’
Last year’s costume contest winners are shown below. Thanks to everyone who participated, and may the luck of the Irish be with you!
2025 COSTUME CONTEST
Each Saint Fennessy 4K we hold a costume contest determine the day’s best dressed, and this year’s voting is now open!
Click HERE to view all of the entries into this year’s costume contest.
Click ‘like’ on your favorite photos. You can vote for more than one photo, but you must ‘like’ the photo for your vote to count.
The voting closes at noon on Friday, March 21. The winners will be announced on Facebook and contacted directly.COSTUME CONTEST
BEST OVERALL
BEST GROUP
BEST KIDS’
BEST KIDS’
RACE RESULTS
Scott Behling holds the all-time men’s event record in the Saint Fennessy 4K, posting a time of 12:03 in the second annual event. John Curley (12:18 in 2024 and 12:11 in 2025) and Kyle Smith (12:59 in 2018) are the only other men to break the 13:00 mark in the event’s history.
Grace McCormick, meanwhile, holds the all-time women’s event record in the Saint Fennessy 4K, finishing with the only women’s time under 15:00 in the event’s history — her time of 14:56 in 2017 is still the market to beat.
Joshua Herbert is the all-time non-binary event record holder, having finished in 21:43 in 2023.
Full historical results of the Saint Fennessy 4K can be seen HERE.
ALL-TIME SAINT FENNESSY 4K MEN’S CHAMPIONS
2025 – John Curley, 12:11
2024 – John Curley, 12:18
2023 – Charlie Juntunen, 13:31
2022 – John Curley, 13:25
2021 – Henry Seeb, 13:49
2020 – n/a
2019 – Matt Estep, 14:56
2018 – Kyle Smith, 12:59
2017 – Sam Helms, 12:26
2016 – Eric Cyr, 13:10
2015 – Scott Behling, 12:03
2014 – n/a
ALL-TIME SAINT FENNESSY 4K WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS
2025 – Tiffany Kari Cizmas, 15:38
2024 – Anna-Britta Helmer, 16:31
2023 – Sasha Wahman, 17:52
2022 – Julie Running, 15:19
2021 – Keegan McAuliffe, 15:16
2020 – n/a
2019 – Molly Pennings, 15:56
2018 – Molly Pennings, 15:12
2017 – Grace McCormick, 14:56
2016 – Amy Hallbeck, 16:59
2015 – Kathi Madden, 17:10
2014 – n/a
ALL-TIME SAINT FENNESSY 4K NON-BINARY CHAMPIONS
2025 – n/a
2024 – Ammie O’Connor, 27:32
2023 – Joshua Herbert, 21:43
2022 – Majora Bengston, 47:28
2014-2021 – n/a
ALL-TIME SAINT FENNESSY 4K MULTIPLE TIME MEN’S CHAMPIONS
3 – John Curley (2022, 2024, 2025)
ALL-TIME SAINT FENNESSY 4K MULTIPLE TIME WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS
2 – Molly Pennings (2018, 2019)
ALL-TIME SAINT FENNESSY 4K MULTIPLE TIME NON-BINARY CHAMPIONS
n/a
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.