BECOME A YAF CHARITY RUNNER
Do you want to run for free AND add more meaning to your miles?
Become a Charity Runner for the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF) during the enxt Grandma’s Marathon weekend, and your success in reaching the finish line can help someone else reach theirs.
You raise money for the Foundation, and every mile you run on race day has meaning for someone other than just you!
In 2026, we are hoping to recruit 200 YAF Charity Runners to raise more than $100,000 for our organization. That money gets distributed directly back into our community and benefits our children, through kids’ programming, grants, scholarships, and more!
To inquire about the YAF Charity Runner program, please contact Program Director Alivia Nelson via email at [email protected].
Want to run in the 2027 Grandma’s Marathon weekend? Here’s your early way in!
YOUNG ATHLETES FOUNDATION CHARITY RUNNERS
The charitable branch of Grandma’s Marathon is the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF), which has contributed more than $1.8 million in support of youth athletics and activities that encourage physical fitness, mental, and emotional well-being. In the past year alone, the YAF has provided:
- 3250+ participants in free kids’ programming and events, including our Wednesday Night and Saturday Morning at the Races series
- $80,000+ in grant money to local teams, organizations, and clubs
- 450+ pairs of free running shoes to high school cross country and track and field athletes
- $5,000 in scholarships to local collegiate and high school runners
YAF charity runners will also receive the following:
- (2) finish line bleacher passes for Grandma’s Marathon race weekend
- (2) complimentary entries into 2027 YAF race(s) of your choice
- Saint Fennessy 4K, Fitger’s 5K, Park Point 5-Miler, Minnesota Mile, or Superior Nightmare 5K
- (1) YAF-branded running hat
- 20% off Grandma’s Marathon Training Group
- 25% off single order at Grandma’s Marathon Online Store
- Fundraising resources and support, including personal fundraising page
IMPORTANT: Your $500 donation INCLUDES the cost of your race entry. 50 entries are available on a first-come, first-served basis for both Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.
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.