From Campus Start to Citywide Event: Earth Day Run Keeps Growing

(KNSI) – Organizers of the CentraCare Earth Day Run are gearing up for what promises to be the biggest year yet, with the event set for April 17th and 18th in downtown St. Cloud.

Race director Beth Gruber says they are on track to draw 2,500 runners, a testament to an event that got its start at St. Cloud State University roughly 20 years ago, when athletic staffer Chris Haukos set out to bring the community together around health and well-being.

Gruber says the growth since then has been remarkable. “And she (Haukos) originated it, and it has grown over time, and here we are 2026, and it’s still happening.”

Runners and spectators can expect a packed weekend, starting Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at the Rivers Edge Convention Center, where an expo featuring more than 30 local businesses and organizations will open, double the space from last year. A Fitness Festival with 11 or more fitness partners will run alongside the expo, with each partner offering a one-year gym membership as a prize.

Saturday brings the main event, the Bernick’s Half Marathon and Half Marathon Relay Challenge. This year’s course features a new addition organizers are calling the “Husky Mile” at Mile 11, a nod to the run’s origins at St. Cloud State University. Gruber says St. Cloud State will play a visible role on race day. “We’re going to have one side of the street just filled with students and faculty and folks just cheering you on to get through Mile 11, get through 12 and 13 and cross that finish line.”

New this year, race participants will receive “downtown bucks” redeemable at participating businesses in downtown St. Cloud after the run, an effort by the Downtown Alliance to keep the celebration going past the finish line.

Cheer zones will again be set up along the course, and runners can vote for their favorite zone after crossing the finish line. Volunteer opportunities are still available at ActiveCentralMN.org.

Organizers are reminding spectators to watch for orange cones and obey street closures.

To register or sign up to volunteer, click here.

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