Whipper Snapper Races

Registration for the 2024 Whipper Snapper Races for Kids will open in the spring.

To 2024 Race Day
- 00Days
- 00Hours
- 00Minutes
- 00Seconds

IT’S FOR THE KIDS
Grandma’s Marathon weekend shouldn’t be just for the adults, so be sure to bring the kids to Bayfront Festival Park for their very own race complete with finisher medals!
Bring them out to Bayfront Festival Park on Friday afternoon on race weekend, and let them join hundreds of other children to get their running fix.
These fun, short-distance races are the perfect way to introduce kids to running or to keep the fire burning bright for your future marathon finisher. You just may have a Grandma’s Marathon champion of the future on your hands!
All participants will receive an official race number, finisher medal, and a goodie bag!

2024 RACE DETAILS
BAYFRONT FESTIVAL PARK
350 Harbor Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
YAF Festival for Kids: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
In-Person Registration: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Whipper Snapper Races: 2:00 p.m.
IMPORTANT: The Whipper Snapper Races for Kids are a popular weekend event, so online pre-registration is encouraged to help ease congestion and eliminate waiting time on race day.
The Whipper Snapper Races for Kids are FREE and open to all ages 14 & under.
AGE GROUPS & DISTANCES
4 Years Old & Younger — 1/8 Mile
5 & 6 Years Old — 1/8 Mile
7 & 8 Years Old — 1/4 Mile
9 & 10 Years Old — 1/4 Mile
11 & 12 Years Old — 1/2 Mile
13 & 14 Years Old — 1/2 Mile
Our Whipper Snapper Races for Kids are accessible to our wheelchair and adaptive participants. Families in need of special accommodations can call our office ahead of time at (218) 727-0947 or speak with a race official upon arrival.

YAF FESTIVAL FOR KIDS
Join us for a celebration of fitness and fun for kids, with an afternoon festival at Bayfront Festival Park scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21!
The Young Athletes Foundation (YAF) is a Grandma’s Marathon program focused on the promotion and development of fitness and healthy lifestyles for kids.
MAIN STAGE ENTERTAINMENT
- 12:00pm to 2:00 p.m. – Bob & Trish Juggling
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Minnesota Vikings – Meet Viktor the Viking and the Cheerleaders
- Lake Superior Zoo – Live Animals (weather permitting) and Giant Inflatables
- Great Lakes Aquarium – Live Animals (weather permitting)
- Positive Energy Outdoors – Climbing Wall (ages 4 and older only)
- Lightspeed Lift – Weight-Assisted Treadmill
- Ski Hut – Balloon Animals and Bike Demos
- Face Painting and Bounce House Inflatables

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.