Thumbs Up Run/Walk/Bike Event - 13th Annual
- Date:
- Sat, Sep 19, 2026 at 7:00 AM
- Location:
-
Gary Street
Elk River, Minnesota
55330
United States
OpenStreetMap Google Maps - Links:
- thumbsupformentalhealth.org Register at raceroster.com
- Tags:
- 10k 5k Cycling Run Virtual Walk
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