Bigger Expo, New Husky Mile Headline This Year’s Earth Day Run Weekend

(KNSI) – There is more to this weekend’s CentraCare M Physicians Orthopedics Earth Day Run than what happens on the racecourse, with organizers rolling out new perks for runners and expanded activities for spectators across St. Cloud.

The celebration actually kicks off on Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at the Rivers Edge Convention Center with a fitness expo. Race Director Beth Gruber told KNSI the expo is bigger than ever. “We’ve got 30-plus local businesses and organizations set up in our expo, which is double the space we had last year. Super exciting that we’ve been able to expand.”

Running alongside the expo is the Fitness Festival, with 11 or more fitness partners leading activities and sharing tips. Each fitness partner is giving away a one-year gym membership as a weekend prize, and organizers say there will be a challenge at every festival table.
Friday’s races include the free Kids’ 1K, the 5K Run/Walk, and the 5K Team Challenge. Saturday is the big half marathon.

A new highlight on this year’s course is the “Husky Mile” at Mile 11 of Saturday’s race, where St. Cloud State University students and faculty will line one side of the street to cheer runners through the final stretch.

On Saturday, spectators will have plenty to watch beyond the runners themselves. Gallagher is again sponsoring cheer zones along the course, and runners will vote for their favorite zone after crossing the finish line. Downtown businesses are also being invited to set up their own cheer zones, with special activities planned out on the street.

Donella Westphal with the Downtown Alliance says participants in this year’s running events will walk away with more than a finisher’s medal. Every runner will receive an incentive to check out local shops after the race. “We’re doing something a little new this year. We’re going to be handing out downtown bucks to all of the participants. Runners will be able to redeem those downtown bucks at any participating business in downtown St. Cloud after the run. We want to celebrate their accomplishments with them [and] their families.”

Free parking for spectators will be available downtown starting at 5:00 p.m. Friday and running through the weekend. St. Cloud State will also have free parking in Lots C and V starting at 4:30 p.m. Organizers ask anyone heading out to cheer to watch for orange cones and obey street closures.

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