Healthy Kids Running Series Spring 2026 - Mounds View, MN

The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine is excited for another year of the Hoof N Woof 5k! The race will start at 8:30am on Saturday, April 11th, 2026, right outside the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine building on Fitch Avenue on the St. Paul campus. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate, and leashed pets are more than welcome! We hope you'll hang around after to visit booths from our wonderful sponsors and local pet businesses. Be sure to stay for our award ceremony that will take place for the runners and their furry companions as well. Parking is available in the Gortner Avenue Parking Garage.

Registration for the race is $30. Packet pick-up will start at 7:15am on race day, Saturday, April 11th. Registration closes at 11:59pm on Friday, April 3th.

The first 250 participants who register for the race will be guaranteed a goodie bag. Any individual who registers before March 20th at 11:59 pm will be guaranteed a free T-shirt.

ALL PROCEEDS support Healing Hearts Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of animals in need. Their mission statement: Healing Hearts Rescue is a volunteer-based non-profit dog rescue dedicated to changing the lives of animals who humans have failed by finding them safe and loving homes. Through the power of rescue, lives will be saved, hearts will be healed, and you might find yourself asking, “Who rescued whom?”

Please plan to stop by and learn even more about Healing Hearts Rescue at their booth on race day! For more information about this organization click here

The Norwegian Foot March is an annual event presented by the Vessey Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA). For the fourth year, it is adding a 30K and 5K Trail Run option open to all military families, Junior and Senior ROTC programs, and the general public. The event's proceeds will benefit the AUSA Troops of Tomorrow initiative, the Minnesota VA Food Pantry, and military programs throughout Minnesota.

History of the Norwegian Foot March

The Norwegian Foot March was first held in 1915 as a test of strength and endurance for members of the Norwegian military and to expose new soldiers to the conditions they could expect in the field. Those who completed a 30km distance with a backpack load of 11kg within 4.5 hours earned the Marsjmerket, the Norwegian Armed Forces Marching Badge. On the day after the event, the soldiers should be able to fully participate in regular duties. Over the past several years, the event has gained popularity among U.S. military units, which use the march as an opportunity to support charitable causes.

SCHEDULE

Friday

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Packet Pickup, Business Expo & Static Display

Arden Hills Army Training Center, 4761 Hamline Ave S., Arden Hills, MN 55112

Saturday

7:00 - 8:45: 30K Foot March Packet Pickup & Check-In

9:00: Foot March & 30K Trail Run Start

9:30: 5K Train Run/Walk Start

Noon: Foot March & 30K Trail Run Awards Ceremony

FEES

• Foot March: $50

• 30K Trail Run: $50

• 5K Trail Run: $30

Everyone receives a t-shirt with their registration (no guarantee of shirt/size on race day; it is on a first-come, first-served basis)

Registration closes on April 16, 2025.

NORWEGIAN 30K FOOT MARCH STANDARDS

The uniform that all participants will wear while on the course is as follows:

• Military members will wear their service's combat fatigues. Any camouflage pattern is acceptable, and uniforms will all be in accordance with applicable regulations. Civilians may wear any appropriate civilian attire and must also wear boots.

• A ruck weighing no less than 11 kilograms or 24.3 pounds. Note that the ruck will be weighed at the finish line, so anything you can consume over the course of the race (water, snacks, etc.) will not count for weight.

• A water source. There will be aid stations along the course with water and food, but you must also have at least one quart (one canteen) worth of water at the start of the race. Any type of container is acceptable (canteen, bladder, bottle, etc.).

• Any necessary cold or wet weather gear. You may keep this in your ruck during the race, but it will not count for weight and must be taken out when the ruck is weighed at the finish.

Click Here for updated Norwegian Foot March details.

AWARDS

Various awards will be given to top finishers and top age group finishers in the 30K, 5K Trail Run, and 30K Foot March.

Click Here for more details on the awards being presented.

TIMING AND RESULTS

The event will be chip-timed by Pickle Events

Results will be available during the race at: www.pickleevents.com

COURSE MAPS

Click here for the course maps

Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk/River Cleanup

11th Annual

11^th Annual Earth Day 5K Bee Run/ Walk, Boom Island Park, Minneapolis, in the only National Park offering historic, scenic views of the Mississippi River!

Purpose: Protect Pollinators, Their Habitat. BEE THE CHANGE!

Family-friendly, dogs welcome, Music & Booths

Costumes are encouraged, Prizes for the best, Name your Team

Organized river cleanup @ 9:30 am

Register and Get "sweet" swag: T-shirt

Win great prizes:

• HD Flat Screen Smart TV

• Four tickets to a MN Vikings game, Row 12, End Seats, (End Zone, Facing Minneapolis, Value $600 +)

Lace up your running shoes and join us for the Annual University of Minnesota PT Program 5k! Get ready for a morning full of movement, community, and Gopher pride! Hosted by the University of Minnesota Physical Therapy program, this event brings together students, faculty, friends, family, and supporters for a fun and energizing way to give back.

• Date: April 18th, 2026

• Check-in: 8:30-9:15am

• Race Time: 9:30am

• Start Location: Coffman Memorial Union (outdoors on the Plaza)

• Price: $20 (in advance); $25 (on race day)

Whether you're racing for a PR, jogging with classmates, walking with friends, or cheering from the sidelines, this 5k is all about supporting the future of this physical therapy program. Funds raised will go directly toward enhancing student experiences, supporting program initiatives, further future PT research and strengthening the PT community.

Bring your friends, wear your UMN gear, and help us make strides for the PT program. We can't wait to see you at the starting line!