Charity Runners

BECOME A YAF CHARITY RUNNER

Do you want to run for free AND add more meaning to your miles?

Sign up ahead of the 2025 Grandma’s Marathon weekend to be a charity runner for the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF), and your success in reaching the finish line can help someone else reach theirs.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Anyone interested in running the 2025 Grandma’s Marathon, Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, or William A. Irvin 5K can participate as a Young Athletes Foundation (YAF) charity runner.

HOW TO SIGN UP

To sign up as a charity runner, please contact Program Director Alivia Nelson via phone at (218) 727-0947 or email at [email protected].


You will receive registration instructions, a promo code to waive your entry fee, and instructions to set up your fundraising page. 


NOTE: Any additional registration options or fees associated with the runner’s failure to follow registration instructions or use the promo code correctly will not be reimbursed.

FUNDRAISING GUIDELINES & PERKS

FUNDRAISING REQUIREMENTS
Young Athletes Foundation (YAF) charity runners commit to fundraising a minimum amount prior to race weekend, as outlined below. NOTE: If the minimum fundraising amount is not met, the remaining balance will be charged to the runner or their race bib will be pulled. 

  • Grandma’s Marathon — $500
  • Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon — $500
  • William A. Irvin 5K — $250


PERKS
In addition to a 2025 entry to the Grandma’s Marathon weekend race of their choice, all Young Athletes Foundation (YAF) charity runners will also receive:

  • (2) complimentary entries into 2025 YAF race(s) of your choice
  • (1) YAF-branded piece of apparel
  • Fundraising resources and support, including a personal fundraising page, to help you meet your fundraising goal

YOUNG ATHLETES FOUNDATION

The Young 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 [email protected] or call our office at (218) 727-0947.