TO 2026 RACE DAY
Saturday, April 18
Duluth, MN | 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, April 18 | Duluth, MN | 9:00 a.m.
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NEXT PRICE INCREASE — APRIL 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 Fitger’s 5K is now closed. Race packet pickup and in-person registration is available Wednesday-Thursday, July 16-17 at the following times and locations:
Friday, April 11 — 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
August Fitger Room, Fitger’s Complex (600 E. Superior Street)
Saturday, April 12 — 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
August Fitger Room, Fitger’s Complex (600 E. Superior Street)
NOTE: The capacity for this year’s race is 1,300 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!
A SPRINT INTO SPRING!
The iconic Fitger’s 5K has grown into one of the state’s premier spring races, offering a perfect challenge for runners of all ages and abilities while taking participants on a scenic tour of newly-renovated downtown Duluth.
Whether you’re in the middle of training for a bigger spring or summer race — Grandma’s Marathon, anyone? — or a first-timer wanting to be in a race environment for the first time, the Fitger’s 5K is the perfect race for you.
2025 Participation
2026 RACE DETAILS
RACE DATE & TIME
Saturday, April 18 | 9:00 a.m.
START & FINISH LINE
Fitger’s Complex
600 East Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802
Pricing Structure (Adults)
January 1-February 15 — $25
February 16-March 31 — $35
April 1-Race Day — $45
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.
Online registration continues through race day, as space allows. Race packet pickup will be available at the following times and locations:
FRIDAY, APRIL 17
12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. @ Fitger’s Complex (Barrel Room)
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. @ Fitger’s Complex (Barrel Room)
With the Fitger’s 5K falling during Earth Month, Grandma’s Marathon-Duluth, Inc. and the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF) again will have several initiatives aimed at making this a zero-waste event.
Included will be several initiatives aimed at curbing the local event’s impact on the environment:
- BIKE VALET: Participants and spectators who ride their bike may leave it near the finish area with our volunteers for the duration of the event. When you’re ready to leave, we’ll bring your bike — just like a coat check! IMPORTANT: The bike valet will close at 10:30 a.m.
- AGE DIVISION AWARDS: Age division award winners will receive succulents. Awards may be picked up in the Fitger’s Courtyard/Barrel Room starting at 10:00 a.m.
- REUSABLE CUPS: Reusable cups will be used at the water station and the finish line for this race. Please dispose of these cups in the provided containers or return them to the Green Station tent near the finish line. DO NOT take these cups, as we will clean and reuse them for more events in the future.
- WATER TRAILER: A water trailer will be available for participants to refill reusable bottles. PLEASE bring your own bottle to use before, during, and after the race.
- POST-RACE REFRESHMENTS: All post-race food and refreshments will be regionally-sourced, and the packaging will be either recyclable or compostable.
Free parking for participants, volunteers, and spectators will be available on race day in the Fitger’s Complex Parking Ramp. Access to the ramp will be available at the following times:
- Before 8:00 a.m. – Access to the ramp will be available from both sides on Superior Street.
- 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. – Access to the ramp will be available from the west side only using Superior Street and 4th Avenue East.
- 8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. – Ramp will be CLOSED.
Vehicles will be able to LEAVE the parking ramp beginning at approximately 10:15 a.m.
Paid parking will also be available in the nearby Essentia Health Purple Ramp and Medical District Ramp Hillside on 1st Street.
Other paid parking will be available on nearby city streets and avenues. Please read and follow instructions of posted signs. NOTE: Please be aware of posted parking restrictions on Superior Street as well as in the Laek Place Parking Lot at Steam Plant Parking Lot beginning at 7:00 a.m. on race day.
On race day, road closures will be as follows in downtown Duluth and Canal Park:
Portions of SUPERIOR STREET will be closed between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
- Between 8th Avenue E. and the Fitger’s Complex Parking ramp will be closed from 8:00-11:00 a.m.
- Between Lake Avenue and 2nd Avenue East will be closed from 8:30-9:30 a.m. (Lake Avenue will remain open)
- Between 2nd Avenue East and the Fitger’s Complex Parking Ramp will be closed from 8:30-10:15 a.m.
Portions of the LAKE AVENUE VIADUCT will be closed between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
- Northbound right lane will be closed (northbound traffic will be restricted to the left lane)
- Interstate 35 northbound on-ramp and southbound off-ramp at Lake Avenue will be closed from 8:30-10:00 a.m. (vehicles should use the 5th Avenue West exit and viaduct as a detour)
Portions of HARBOR DRIVE and RAILROAD STREET will be closed between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
- Harbor Drive will be closed between the DECC West Gate and Railroad Street.
- Railroad Street will be closed from Harbor Drive to S. Lake Avenue.
Portions of the area around the DULUTH ENTERTAINMENT CONVENTION CENTER (DECC) will be closed between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
- Lake Place Drive will be closed
- The DECC East Gate will be closed (DECC traffic should use Railroad Street via 5th Avenue West)
PARKING RESTRICTIONS will be in place at the following locations, beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18:
- On Superior Street from Lake Avenue to 8th Avenue East
- Lake Place Parking Lot (218 Canal Park Drive)
- Steam Plant Parking Lot (1 W. Railroad Street)
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.
THE SWAG
FINISHER MEDAL
All Fitger’s 5K finishers will receive a commemorative finisher medal.
PARTICIPANT SHIRT
All Fitger’s 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 Fitger’s 5K participants will also have the option to purchase commemorative Fitsoks, either during registration or at packet pickup.
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
RACE RESULTS
Joe Moore holds the all-time men’s event record in the Fitger’s 5K, finishing with the only men’s time under 15:00 in the event’s history — his mark of 14:53 in 2013 is still the mark to beat.
Amy Lyons, meanwhile, holds the all-time women’s event record in the Fitger’s 5K, finishing with the only women’s time under 17:00 in the event’s history — her time of 16:55 in 2016 is still the mark to beat.
John Eide was the event’s first-ever non-binary finisher and still holds the all-time event record with a time of 24:37 in 2022.
Full historical results of the Fitger’s 5K can be seen HERE.
ALL-TIME FITGER’S 5K MEN’S CHAMPIONS
2025 – Scott Behling, 15:25
2024 – Scott Behling, 15:40
2023 – Scott Behling, 15:56
2022 – Scott Behling, 16:03
2021 – Liam Fife, 16:59
2020 – Liam Fife, 17:29
2019 – Scott Behling, 15:18
2018 – Nate Routhier, 15:35
2017 – Scott Behling, 15:54
2016 – Scott Behling, 16:08
2015 – Justin Grunewald, 15:18
2014 – Trevor Zimak, 15:54
2013 – Joe Moore, 14:53
2012 – Michael Reneau, 15:10
2011 – Justin Grunewald, 16:10
2010 – Jeremy Polson, 15:35
2009 – Jeremy Polson, 15:29
2008 – Michael Benchina, 16:08
2007 – Michael Benchina, 16:42
2006 – Michael Benchina, 16:44
2005 – n/a
2004 – Gene Letty, 17:02
2003 – n/a
2002 – Jeremy Polson, 15:07
2001 – Patrick Russell, 15:29
2000 – Patrick Russell, 15:46
1990-1999 – n/a
NOTE: Some early records for the Fitger’s 5K are incomplete. Our staff is working to retrieve those results dating back to 1990.
ALL-TIME FITGER’S 5K WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS
2025 – Calla Gilbertson, 21:10
2024 – Chelsey Youngberg, 18:37
2023 – Alyssa Nash, 19:22
2022 – Chelsey Youngberg, 19:30
2021 – Katherine Hoffman, 19:05
2020 – Rochelle Wirth, 21:19
2019 – Casey Hovland, 18:08
2018 – Ellen Smith, 18:26
2017 – Anna Lahti, 19:56
2016 – Megan Baertsch, 19:31
2015 – Carrie Tollefson, 18:20
2014 – Katie McGee, 19:30
2013 – Morgan Place, 17:53
2012 – Katie Koski, 17:48
2011 – Gabrielle Cyr, 18:58
2010 – Katie Koski, 18:23
2009 – Amy Lyons, 17:32
2008 – Jennifer Houck, 18:57
2007 – Desiree Budd, 17:51
2006 – Amy Lyons, 16:55
2005 – n/a
2004 – Katie Koski, 18:10
2003 – n/a
2002 – Katie Koski, 18:03
2001 – Rochelle Wirth, 19:45
2000 – Heidi Schroeder, 19:51
1990-1999 – n/a
NOTE: Some early records for the Fitger’s 5K are incomplete. Our staff is working to retrieve those results dating back to 1990.
ALL-TIME FITGER’S 5K NON-BINARY CHAMPIONS
2025 – Armella Lane, 42:15
2024 – Ammie O’Connor, 35:37
2023 – n/a
2022 – John Eide, 24:37
1990-2021 – n/a
ALL-TIME FITGER’S 5K MULTIPLE TIME MEN’S CHAMPIONS
7 – Scott Behling (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
3 – Jeremy Polson (2002, 2009, 2010)
Michael Benchina (2006, 2007, 2008)
2 – Patrick Russell (2000, 2001)
Justin Grunewald (2011, 2015)
Liam Fife (2020, 2021)
ALL-TIME FITGER’S 5K MULTIPLE TIME WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS
4 – Katie Koski (2002, 2004, 2010, 2012)
2 – Rochelle Wirth (2001, 2020)
Amy Lyons (2006, 2009)
Chelsey Youngberg (2022, 2024)
ALL-TIME FITGER’S 5K 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.