Registration Open for 2022 Earth Day Run in St. Cloud

(KNSI) – Central Minnesota’s premier marathon race returns in 2022. Registration is open for the CentraCare Earth Day Run after missing two years due to the pandemic. Race organizer Bill Corcoran says they’re hoping to attract around 5,000 runners.

“That’s a high bar considering we started a little bit late and we’re coming off of a pandemic. There’s a lot of pent up demand and excitement in the community and some of these events still aren’t running. And so we’re thinking we’re going to get somewhere close to that 5,000.”

Organizers are trying to bring more excitement to this year’s race by turning the cheer zones, started in 2019, into a fundraiser.

“You have to be chosen. If you’re a nonprofit, you can apply and if your plan is good enough, you might be chosen for one of the five spots that we have out there. And if you’re chosen, you automatically get $500 for your group.”

He says there’s a way to double that $500.

“They will be competing for the top prize which is $1,000. And they will be voted on by the runners themselves. The runners will go through the course and at the end, through the Earth Day Run App, they’ll be able to vote who their favorite cheer zone was.”

Corcoran says one event that changed due to the pandemic is the Wellness Expo. It will now be held outside on 5th Avenue in downtown St. Cloud.

“We had to reimagine what the expo is going to look like. And so, we decided, weather permitting, we’re going to have all of the expo outside on Fifth Avenue. It’s going to be a little more of a street fair or block party feel.”

Registration is open between now and the races on April 15th and 16th. The Earth Day Run includes the 5K race, a 5k corporate team challenge, and a wellness challenge. There’s also a 1k for the kids, a half marathon, and a half marathon relay. For more information or to register, click here.

___