Balsam Lake Freedom Fest 5K Run/Walk

Join us for our 12 year Anniversary! - Saturday, October 10, 2026

Marathon, Half Marathon, 5k, Marathon Relay (Marathon course is a Boston Qualifier, USATF Certification: WI23001MAB)

ALL Participants registered by June 30, 2026, will receive a Gandy Dancer Beanie.

T-Shirts are guaranteed with registration by September 14, 2026

There is a 6-hour time limit on the full marathon. Please plan accordingly.

Mindy Creek Trails RacesAll race distances will start and finish at the Polk County Information Center in St. Croix Falls.The courses utilize a variety of trails throughout St. Croix Falls, offering a mix of technical sections, rolling hills, bridges, and easier stretches on both gravel and paved surfaces.Registration:Opens November 28, 2025, and closes August 25, 2026.No refunds.Total field limit: 150 runners (online registration only).Last year’s event sold out online — once the 150-runner limit is reached, only race-day sign-ups will be accepted

LocationPolk County Information Center710 S Highway 35 54024St. Croix Falls, WIThe Mindy Creek Trail Races start on the bike bath just above the Polk County Information Center in St. Croix Falls, WI, across the MN/WI border from Taylors Falls, at the SE corner of state highway WI-35 and US-8.Parking is in the Information Center lot. Please be considerate of other Center users. Start times: 7:00 a.m. Marathon. 7:05 Half marathon. 7:10 10k.

MarathonWHEN: August 29th 2026START TIME: 7:00 a.m.COURSE: You will run the half marathon course twice. Over 18 miles of single track.AID STATIONS: Full aid at miles 5, 9, 13, 18 and 22. Water only aid at miles 8 and 21.CUT OFFS: Finish time 7 hours. Must start 2nd loop at 3 hours and 15 minutes.DROP BAGS: At start/finish area only.AWARDS: Top 3 male and femalePRINTS: All Finishers will receive a full color 8.5 x 11 print of current year logoENTRY FEES: $40 on 11/28/25, $55 on Dec 2nd. $65 on July 1st until August 19th when online registration closes. $75 Race Day registration. Early Bird pricing will last to Dec 2nd or the first 50 combined runners are recieved .

Half MarathonWHEN: August 29th, 2025 START TIME: 7:05 a.m.COURSE: Lollipop shaped course. Over 9 miles of single track.AID STATIONS: Full aid at miles 5 and 9. Water-only aid at mile 8. CUT OFF: Finish time 5 hoursAWARDS: Top 3 male and female and masters (over 40)PRINTS: All Finishers will receive a full color 8.5 x 11 print of current year logoENTRY FEES: $35 on 11/29825, $50 on Dec 2nd. $60 on July 1st until August 19th when online registration closes. $70 Race Day registration. Early Bird pricing will last to Dec 2nd or the first 50 combined runners are recieved

10kWHEN: August 29th, 2025 START TIME: 7:10 a.m.COURSE: Out-and-back with 2 miles of single track, 2 miles of paved trail, 1 mile of gravel trail and 1 mile on grass trailAID STATION: Water-only aid at the turnaround.CUT OFF: Finish time 2 hoursAWARDS: Top 3 male and femalePRINTS: All Finishers will receive a full color 8.5 x 11 print of current year logoENTRY FEES:$25 on 11/28/25, $35 on Dec 1st. $40 on August 1st until August 25th when online registration closes. $45 Race Day registration. Early Bird pricing will last to Dec 2nd or the first 50 combined runners are recieved

Course Map

Refund PolicyDue to the costs involved in setting up and holding a race, which are incurred before race day, there are no refunds.Entries may not be transferred to another runner, deferred to another year, nor applied to another event.Thank you for your understanding.

General InformationMUSIC - No external music during the race. If you would like to have music, please use headphones. Respect your fellow runners and others at the park. AID STATIONS: Aid station fare will likely include water, Gatorade, soda pop, cookies, gummies, chips, salted nut rolls and pickles. Other items may be available as well.PACKET PICKUP: Race morning only. Please arrive early, so there is time for everyone to get their packets.BATHROOMS: Available in the Information Center and outdoor rest room building at the start/finish area.

Event's current local time: 3:20 AM CT

2025 WINNERS 50 K WINNERS:ROBERT SANTORO - 3:58RACHEL RAGONA - 4:2025K WINNERSTORRY KRAFTSON - 1:59:16ANNA GUNDERSON and STEPH CLOUTIER 1:59:2510 WINNERSCHRIS LAHREN 47:51 and FAITH CANNON 55:535K WINNERSANDREW FOOTE 24:31 and STACIE MADSEN 30:05 LocationWilliam O'Brien State Park16821 O Brien Trail NorthMarine on Saint Croix, Minnesota.William O'Brien State is just off state highway MN-95, north of Marine on Saint CroixRaces start at the William O'Brien State Park Visitor Center, just inside the park and to the left.Parking is at the Visitor Center lot. Please be considerate of other Center users.. RegistrationOnline registration opens on 11/28/202, 2025, through Sept 21st, 2026.NEW - This year we are offer race shirts as an option to the entry fee because not every one wants another race shirt and we thought this will keep the entry fee cost down. 50kSTART TIME: 8:00 a.m.COURSE: You will run two 25k loops using the upper section, south section of the park and Jackson Meadows..AID

STATIONS: 4 AS per loop>CUT OFFS: Finish time 9 hours - 5pm. Must start 2nd loop at noon which is a 4 hours 25k for the first loop.tbd.DROP BAGS: At start/finish area only.AWARDS: Top 3 male and femaleENTRY FEES: $40 - 11/28/25, 12/2/25 - $55 - $65 Aug 1st till Sept 21st. Online registration closes at midnight on Sept. 21st Anyone wishing to register after Sept. 21st must do so on Race Day. $75 - race day registration. 25kSTART TIME: 9:00 a.m.COURSE: tbdAID STATIONS - 4 aid stations/>CUT OFF: is 5 hours />AWARDS: Top 3 male and femaleENTRY FEES: $30 - 11/28/25, 12/2/25 - $45, 8/1/26 - $55. Online registration closes Sept. 22nd. Anyone wishing to register after Sept. 22nd must do so on Race Day. $65 - race day registration. 25k and 50k Course Map 5k and 10kSTART TIME: 9:00 a.m.COURSE: Wide grass trails with one large hill and a flat finish line to sprint in..CUT OFF: Finish time 2 hoursNO AID STATION, NO AWARDS or NO RACE SHIRTS:.PRINTS: All Finishers will receive a full color 8.5 x 11 print

of current year logoENTRY FEE: $5 for the 5k, $10 for the 10k. Even on race day!!Why do a $5 5k or a $10 10k? This is for a few reasons: We want this to be a family-friendly event, available to all. Also, this is a great introduction to trail racing for new runners. This is still a race, and official times will be kept. Whether you are new to trail running or are an experienced runner looking to set a PR, come join us! 5k and 10k (10k does the 5k twice) Course Map General InfoNo external music during the race. If you would like to have music, please use headphones. Respect your fellow runners and campers at the park. AID STATIONS: Aid station fare will likely include water, Gatorade, cookies, and other items.POST-RACE FOOD: Bottled water, soda pop, cookies, gummies, chips, salted nut rolls and pickles. Other items may be available as well.PACKET PICKUP: Race morning only. Please arrive early, so there is time for everyone to get their packets.BATHROOMS: Available inside the Visitor Center

at the start/finish area. Refund PolicyDue to the costs involved in setting up and holding a race, which are incurred before race day, there are no refunds.Entries may not be transferred to another runner, deferred to another year, nor applied to another event.Thank you for your understanding.If COVID-19 and/or other conditions force the event to be be shut down, the races will be changed to virtual events. If this happens, race shirts and race numbers will be sent out with in one week of the completion of the event. Event's current local time: 3:34 AM CT