Big Lake Graniteman Triathlon

Join us for a 1 Mile and/or 5k Run/Walk on River St along the Mississippi River in Monticello, MN! Started in 1976 as a bicentennial celebration, Riverfest is yearly celebration bringing the city of Monticello together for many festivities. One of which is a race Saturday morning, which has both a one mile and a 5k option.

For more information, check out the Riverfest Website and Riverfest Facebook page.

Come celebrate St. Michael Daze and Knights weekend with a 5k to start your Saturday. This year's 5k will follow the same route as past year's but will change from a Color Run to a chip timed 5k. This fun 5k is for all levels - the competitive runners as well as those pushing strollers or being pulled by dogs. And for the people who really want to get pummeled with colored powder, we still have a race for you. The youth Color Daze Run will begin right after the 5k finishes.

We can't wait to see you on Saturday, September 19th, 2026!

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, First Bank Elk River, for supporting our

13th Annual Event!

Thursday, September 17th, 2026

• 4:00 - 7:00 PM: Early Packet Pickup

• Location: Ripple Effect Brewing Company - 14086 Northdale Blvd, Rogers, MN 55374

• Pick up your race materials, purchase Thumbs Up merch, & enjoy great company with food and beverage at Ripple Effect!

Friday, September 18th, 2026

• 4:00 - 7:00 PM: Early Packet Pickup

• Location: Lake Orono Park - 18599 Gary Street, Elk River, MN 55330

• Chalk Party! Help us Chalk the Walk with positive messages & remembrance of our loved ones (chalk provided), plus enjoy dinner with a food truck yet to be announced!

• REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 9:00 PM!

Saturday, September 19th, 2026

• 7:00 - 8:30 AM: Same-Day Packet Pickup

• 9:00 AM: Opening & Remembrance Ceremony

• 9:25 AM: Keynote Speaker - Lindsey Young

• 9:45 AM: Pre-Race Stretch

• 10:00 AM: Races Begin

• 10:00 AM - 5K & 10K Bike

• 10:03 AM - 5K & 10K Run

• 10:20 AM - 5K Walk

• 11:00 AM: Festivities & Food Trucks

• 11:15 AM: Top Finishers Award Ceremony

• 11:45 AM: Youth Color Run, sponsored by Elk Dental Center

• Ages 3-5: 1/2K

• Ages 6-8 :1K

• Ages 9-12: 1 mile

• 1:00 PM: Event Ends

Directions & Parking Information

• Event Location: Lake Orono Park – 18599 Gary Street, Elk River, MN 55330

• Free Parking is available at the Sherburne County Fairground Parking Lot: 18335 Joplin St NW, Elk River, MN 55330

• Please try to carpool if you are able!

Youth Activities

• Youth Color Run (1/2K, 1K, & 1 Mile)

• Crazy Hair

• Face Painting

• Kindness Rocks by Plaisted Companies

• Mindfulness by Ms. Liz

• Playground area

• Splash Pad (weather dependent)

Food Trucks & Beverages

• Food Trucks Available On-Site - To be announced soon!

• Water Stations along the route

Activities & More Info

• Register by August 23rd, 2026 to be guaranteed a participant t-shirt with your registration fee

• Memory Tree - Bring a photo of your loved one to be displayed

• Grief Support & Bereavement Memorial Area

• Mental Health & Wellness Vendors On-Site

• Veteran Memorial Area sponsored by Hannay Electric 🇺🇸

• Caricatures by Creating Colucci

• Miniature Horses by InterMission Horses

• Friendly dogs are welcome at the event and must be on a leash at all times. Please clean up after your pets.

THE THUMBS UP MOVEMENT

Thumbs Up was founded in 2014 by several community members in honor of two great men, Bob Schmit and Chuck Dahlheimer, who, like many others, took their lives after living in silence from a mental illness. Thumbs Up is all about EMBRACING those struggling and breaking the stigma around mental health, connecting, supporting, and encouraging one another to talk about their feelings and challenges and to "KEEP MOVING FORWARD."

We are dedicated to educating and teaching about mental illness, the warning signs of suicide, what you can do to help others who struggle, and community awareness initiatives.

So, let's UNITE to help others to KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

MISSION STATEMENT

Bringing awareness to mental health and providing support and resources to all.

#KEEPMOVINGFORWARD