32 running events in Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Junior Loppet program is a year-round, after school program that empowers Minneapolis middle schoolers through healthy outdoor activities like cross country skiing, mountain biking, trail running, orienteering and paddling. We focus on partnering with middle and elementary schools with a majority of the school population eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch. The program occurs 2-3 days per week after school, and throughout the summer. Students also participate in events, races, and weekend camping and training trips. The program uses outdoor adventure to help youth build healthy habits; social and emotional skills; and personal connections that promote success.

A seasonal All Access Ski Pass is required for participation in all LNR adult winter ski classes. You can purchase your ski pass here.

Loppet Nordic Racing (LNR) for adults is designed for anyone 20 years of age and older who is interested in improving their ski technique, physical fitness, and learning the finer points of xc ski RACING. LNR Adult training groups are designed to prepare adult athletes for winter race events- whether it your very first 5km, or if you are working to qualify for the Elite wave at the Loppet or Birkie!

Financial Assistance: The Loppet provides financial assistance for those in need. To apply, please fill out this Financial Assistance form. Our staff will be in touch with you with next steps once your application has been submitted. Limitations apply, please see the application form for rules and restrictions.

LNR Spring Yoga

This yoga class series will be based in Hatha tradition with a focus on a gentle flow between poses, flexibility, balance and strength. It will be geared toward the athlete who wants to supplement their training routine as well for those who want to explore and deepen their yoga practice. With a focus on finding steadiness and alignment in poses, this hour long class is a perfect complement to the runner, skier and biker alike.

Strength for Endurance Athletes

The Adult Strength for Endurance Athletes program will primarily focus on building a solid base for nordic skiing, running, and other endurance sports by utilizing body weight movements, barbells, free weights, and plyometrics. Participants will learn to use correct technique for movements through hands on instruction. Also, a large focus for the sessions will be mobility and movement mechanics. This will be a beneficial course to improve your overall performance for endurance sports, whether you are new to strength or have been doing it for years.

Women's Spring Brick Training

This program will focus on some creative “brick” workouts that stack mountain biking, trail running, and strength training into a single workout session. The training group is beneficial for anyone who wants to increase their fitness. The class is open to intermediate to advanced fitness-level athletes over the age of 18 years old who identify as female and have some experience with mountain biking and trail running.

Financial Assistance: The Loppet provides financial assistance for those in need. To apply, please fill out this Financial Assistance form. Our staff will be in touch with you with next steps once your application has been submitted. Limitations apply, please see the application form for rules and restrictions.

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!

Join the Augsburg Physician Associate (PA) Program on April 25th as we bring our annual 5K Run/Walk back!

We'll start the race at Thomas Beach, take a lap around the beautiful lake Bde Maka Ska, and finish back at Thomas Beach.

We are raising funds for the International Institute of Minnesota, which supports immigrants and refugees. Founded in 1919, the International Institute of Minnesota offers new Americans quality services to support their journey to stability and success, such as refugee resettlement, English education, career development, and citizenship assistance. We are also raising funds for our program's student society to provide more learning and leadership opportunities for the cohort.

All runners will receive a racing T-shirt! The first 70 runners to sign up will receive a reusable aluminum water bottle.

Water will be provided halfway through and at the end of the race. A small snack will be provided at the finish line. A first-aid station and port-a-potties will be available at the start/finish line.

Can’t make it there but want to contribute to the cause? Feel free to donate on a pay-what-you-want scale through our donate link.

FAQ:

What is the cost?

General participants: $35

Student participants: $25

Participants less than 12 years old: Free

What's included in the Registration Fee?

By signing up, you will receive a race T-shirt. The first 70 people to sign up will also receive an aluminum water bottle. Refreshments will be provided at the end of the race.

Where do I park?

Please plan to park on the street along W Bde Maka Ska Pkwy or an adjacent street. Limited parking in the Thomas Beach parking lot will also be available on a first-come-first-serve basis. This parking lot has pay meters.

Will there be medical personnel on hand?

Yes, a first-aid station will be available and run by a medical professional at the start/finish of the race.

Are there restrooms?

Port-a-potties are located near the start/finish line at Thomas Beach.

What does the race course look like?

One loop around Bde Maka Ska starting and finishing at Thomas Beach. The race will take place on the sidewalks with minimal elevation gain (36 feet in total). Check out the map here.

Are kids allowed?

Yes! Kids and strollers are allowed, and kids under 12 years old can run/walk for free.

Are pets allowed?

Due to the large number of people, we ask that pets stay at home.

What if it rains?

We will plan to continue the event unless there is lightning or severe weather in the area.

Will there be an official time recording?

We do not have the equipment or funding to supply time-tracking bibs for every participant. Instead, we will have a large race clock stationed at the start and finish of the race that will allow participants to track their own time.

Trail Kids Mountain Bike Programs are part of the Loppet Foundation’s Trail Kids year-round programming.

Trail Kids offers six-week mountain bike sessions for novice to advanced riders. Participants ages 7-13 will explore the paved & single-track trails in and around Theodore Wirth Park while gaining skills they can use for a lifetime! (for programming for 13 and older, check out LCW Juniors programs)! The focus of the mountain bike sessions is to develop skills, meet new friends, and have fun while building confidence riding single track trails.

Female-identifying, trans, and nonbinary youth are welcome to join any offering in which they feel most comfortable: Girls Rock or Co-ed

Ability Level Guide: For those who have NO experience mountain biking on singletrack trails it is highly recommended that they take one of our Beginner Mountain Bike Clinics before joining the six-week evening sessions. When registering your child make sure to indicate their ability level as described in the Trail Kids MTB Skill Level Guide.

Ages: Ages 7 – 13, beginner to advanced abilities welcome; we split into different coaching groups based on ability, pacing, and age. We do not have programs for kids 6 years of age and under, so please do not register them until they turn seven years old.

Equipment Needed: All participants will need their own mountain bike, helmet, and water carrier (no bottle cage on handlebars - CamelBaks are a great option too!). Mountain bikes need to have both front and back wheel brakes on the handle bars (no peddle brakes). No kickstands are allowed. Tires must have tread and be wide enough to ride safely on mountain bike trails. For more on mountain bike equipment, view the Trail Kids MTB Equipment Guide.

*Please note that rental bikes are not available for our 6-Week offerings.

Swag: Trail Kids T-shirt and water bottle for all participants available at no additional cost. In an effort to reduce waste, TK Swag is now listed as an optional “add-on” during your registration. If you’d like your participant to receive this swag please ensure it is selected.

Friend Requests: For safety and equity reasons, Trail Kids does not offer friend requests as part of registration. The mass quantity of friend requests made it impossible to accommodate them all and greatly impacted safety and group dynamics. We would love to allow everyone to practice with their friends, but if we cannot accommodate all friend requests, we cannot offer them to everyone. We encourage riders to embrace the opportunity to form new friendships through our programs!

Trail Kids MTB Race: As part of our Trail Kids program all participants will have the opportunity to participate in our Adventure MTB Race which is included with the Loppet Trail Kids MTB Program registration fee. The goal of the race is to introduce youth to trail racing, as well as to provide some competition for more experienced participants. There will be one race scheduled during a normally scheduled practice.

Weather Cancellations: While Trail Kids embraces the belief that the outdoors can be enjoyed in any weather, there are some weather circumstances, including high temperatures, thunderstorms, etc. that can create unsafe or wildly unpleasant experiences for our coaches and participants. We will occasionally cancel or shorten practices due to extreme weather. We make weather calls the day of, 90 minutes before the start of practice. We will contact you via email and/or Team App about adjustments to practices; please do not ask in advance. Assume practice is always running unless you have received an email or a Team App notification otherwise (be sure that you can receive Team App notifications and do not unsubscribe from RunSignUp). Due to the lack of adequate indoor space and additional programs utilizing it already, Trail Kids is unable to shift practices inside on days where we have inclement weather/AQI. In instances where practice is canceled due to inclement weather, we do not offer

refunds or make up practices.

Financial Assistance: To apply please fill out the Loppet Financial Assistance Application. We will follow up with you with instructions on how to register at a price that is manageable for your family. Applications for programs that start two weeks or less from the date of submission will not be approved. *Limitations apply, please see the application form for rules and restrictions. In most instances there will be a $500 financial assistance cap per person/per year.

Sibling Discount: For those families who have three or more kids in the Trail Kids offering we can provide a fifteen percent discount code. Please email [email protected] for more information.

Refund Policy: The Loppet will issue a full refund of the program fee minus the original processing fee up until 6 weeks before the program starts. Between 6 weeks and 4 weeks from the program start date, a 50% refund will be issued. Between 4 and 3 weeks from the program start date, a 25% refund will be issued. There are no refunds for any cancellations within less than 3 weeks of the start of a program. During the program, if your child has a medical issue that makes it impossible to participate, please contact the TK Admin team email at [email protected]. If the Loppet cancels a program, a full refund will be issued. For instructions on how to request a refund, click here.

The Run & Orienteering program is part of the Loppet Foundation’s Trail Kids year-round programming.

Participants ages 7-13 will learn the basics of orienteering skills while enjoying the trails around Theodore Wirth Park. This program also incorporates ultimate frisbee, slack line skills, and other running games as warm up activities for the main session which is focused on trail exploration and orienteering.

Practices include:

• Orienteering skills using orienteering maps to find hidden controls in the woods like a treasure hunt

• Agility and strength exercises to develop age appropriate motor skills

• Balance work and slacklining

• Games, relays, ultimate frisbee, pillow polo, and soccer mixed in throughout the sessions

Gear: Participants will need a good pair of running shoes and water bottle for each session.

Ability Levels: Participants are assigned to coaching groups based on age and past experience with orienteering. When you register you can indicate the appropriate orienteering ability levels listed below:

• White Level: Beginner with no experience in orienteering

• Green Level: Beginner to intermediate orienteering skills: Participant has participated in at least one or two 6-week sessions of the Trail Kids orienteering program.

• Blue Level: Intermediate to advanced orienteering skills. Participant has participated in at least three to four 6-week orienteering sessions.

• Black Level: Advanced orienteering skills with two plus years of orienteering experience and a desire to be challenged and compete at local MNOC meet events.

Swag: Trail Kids T-shirt and water bottle for all participants available at no additional cost. In an effort to reduce waste, TK Swag is now listed as an optional “add-on” during your registration. If you’d like your participant to receive this swag please ensure it is selected.

Friend Requests: For safety and equity reasons, Trail Kids does not offer friend requests as part of registration. The mass quantity of friend requests made it impossible to accommodate them all and greatly impacted safety and group dynamics. We would love to allow everyone to practice with their friends, but if we cannot accommodate all friend requests, we cannot offer them to everyone. We encourage riders to embrace the opportunity to form new friendships through our programs!

Trail Kids R/O Race: As part of our Trail Kids program all participants will have the opportunity to participate in our Adventure Run Race which is included with the Loppet Trail Kids Run Orienteering Program registration fee. The goal of the race is to introduce youth to trail racing, as well as to provide some competition for more experienced participants. There will be one race scheduled for each of the three sessions during a normally scheduled practice.

Weather Cancellations: While Trail Kids embraces the belief that the outdoors can be enjoyed in any weather, there are some weather circumstances, including high temperatures, thunderstorms, etc. that can create unsafe or wildly unpleasant experiences for our coaches and participants. We will occasionally cancel or shorten practices due to extreme weather. We make weather calls the day of, 90 minutes before the start of practice. We will contact you via email and/or Team App about adjustments to practices; please do not ask in advance. Assume practice is always running unless you have received an email or a Team App notification otherwise (be sure that you can receive Team App notifications and do not unsubscribe from RunSignUp). Due to the lack of adequate indoor space and additional programs utilizing it already, Trail Kids is unable to shift practices inside on days where we have inclement weather/AQI. In instances where practice is canceled due to inclement weather, we do not offer

refunds or make up practices.

Financial Assistance: To apply please fill out the Loppet Financial Assistance Application. We will follow up with you with instructions on how to register at a price that is manageable for your family. Applications for programs that start two weeks or less from the date of submission will not be approved. *Limitations apply, please see the application form for rules and restrictions. In most instances there will be a $500 financial assistance cap per person/per year.

Sibling Discount: For those families who have three or more kids in the Trail Kids offering we can provide a fifteen percent discount code. Please email [email protected] for more information.

Refund Policy: The Loppet will issue a full refund of the program fee minus the original processing fee up until 6 weeks before the program starts. Between 6 weeks and 4 weeks from the program start date, a 50% refund will be issued. Between 4 and 3 weeks from the program start date, a 25% refund will be issued. There are no refunds for any cancellations within less than 3 weeks of the start of a program. During the program, if your child has a medical issue that makes it impossible to participate, please contact the TK Admin team email at [email protected]. If the Loppet cancels a program, a full refund will be issued. For instructions on how to request a refund, click here.

The 5th annual head and neck cancer run/walk for a cause event will be held on May 17th, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.. The event will start at Thomas Beach on Lake Bde Maka Ska.

Address: 3751 West Bde Maka Ska Parkway, Minneapolis, MN

Details:

Walkers, runners and volunteers come together to honor cancer survivors, raise awareness about reducing cancer risk and raise money to bring hope to cancer patients. Participation starts at $25.

Benefiting the University of Minnesota Foundation Masonic Cancer Center

A flat and fast USATF certified 5 km course around beautiful Lake Nokomis in South Minneapolis.

Location: Near the Lake Nokomis Community Center, 2401 East Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis, North end of Lake Nokomis.

Register online for $40 through 11.59 p.m. Thursday, 5/21/26. USATF-Minnesota members get a $5 discount (get the code from your USATF club coordinator).

Late registration online for $50 Friday, 5/22/26 through 11.59 p.m. Sunday, 5/24/26. No discounts for late registration.

No Race Day Registration.

Race Day Bib Number & Shirt Pick Up:

Mill City Running will host Bib and Shirt Pick up at the store's Northeast location (411 E. Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis MN 55414) Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24. If you are unable to pick up your Bib and Shirt ahead of time, you can pick it up Monday May 25, at Lake Nokomis Community Center from 7:00 to 8:15 AM

Due to unanticipated growth of the event, we've run out of most shirt sizes. We know that many of you had to select a shirt size that doesn't work for you. We ask that you take the size that you selected at registration, then come back to the shirt table after the race and we may be able to swap for a better size. Shirts from previous years may be available as well.

About Brian Kraft

Brian Kraft was an enthusiastic and talented runner from Bemidji, Minnesota. His running career was cut short at the age of 19 with the discovery of Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in his back. Brian lived with cancer for 15 years, undergoing chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and countless surgical procedures.

Throughout the years, Brian continued to run. He ran the lakes and parkways and raced with the local running crowd. In spite of all that life threw his way, he kept a positive attitude. Brian attributed his strength in his fight against cancer to his love of running and to the work of his long-time friend, Dr. Arny Leonard.

Dr. Arnold S. Leonard and his colleagues at the University of Minnesota and the National Cancer Institute have made significant advances in cancer research in the last five years. They are working on a series of projects that reduces cancers of all kinds by boosting the central immune system by genetic engineering. This exciting new field of cancer therapy has great promise.

All donations submitted with race entries and a portion of the race proceeds will go to the University of Minnesota Foundation Masonic Cancer Center.

A special thanks to our sponsor this year -- Mill City Running!

Canoeing and paddling in general complements Loppet pillars of outdoor endurance competition and urban adventure in natural spaces. Minneapolis in particular is a special place for water exploration, and the BWCA opportunities make canoeing a uniquely Minnesotan gem. Competitive canoeing is a full-body exercise, though focally on the upper body, which makes a great balance for all those runners/hikers/bikers out there and great cross-training for cross country skiing. It is also a low-impact sport that people can enjoy well into their older ages. Competitive canoeing is highly technical and tactical, but also something people can make noticeable improvements in right away with some key changes to the traditional Boundary Waters stroke. Plus, the vantage point from the lakes is a beautiful, fulfilling place to spend your time this summer.

Financial Assistance: The Loppet provides financial assistance for those in need. To apply, please fill out this Financial Assistance form. Our staff will be in touch with you with next steps once your application has been submitted. Limitations apply, please see the application form for rules and restrictions.

Don't miss a night of big-time mile racing under the bright lights of the Mini-Apple! Meet produced by Minnesota Distance Elite, a 501(c)(3) non-profit and Minnesota's pro running "home team."

5:00pm: Gates & Packet Pick-up Open

6:00pm: Mini-Apple Mini-Miles (untimed 50-yard & 100-yard dashes for kids 12 & under)

6:15-7:55pm: All-Comers Sections presented by Twin Cities Running Company (heat run all-ages with combined genders, seeded slowest to fastest, as additional heats fill with registration this start time will go earlier and will be updated as the event approaches)

8:05-8:40pm: High School Sections (including Invitational Girls' Mile at 8:30pm and Invitational Boys' Mile at 8:40pm)

8:50-9:00pm: Professional Sections (including Invitational Women's Mile at 8:50pm and Invitational Men's Mile at 9:00pm)

"We're "Lookin' For a Cure" in scenic Lake Normandale. Join A Cure in Sight on Saturday June 13th, 7AM-1030AM, to walk or run with us. We will be taking steps to find a cure for a rare eye cancer, ocular melanoma. Ocular Melanoma is estimated by the American Cancer Society to have roughly 3000 new cases each year nationwide. Bring your friends and family to the race day--all ages welcome to walk or run with us.

Race Swag

• Guaranteed t-shirt if registered by June 1st.

• Finisher Medal

• Food & Drink

• Aid Station

• Commemorative Race Bib

• Free downloadable photos

• Official finishers time with age group placements

Race day schedule

• Registration 7 am

• Race start 8 am

• Announcements Awards 9:30 am

Parking

Free parking steps from the start line.

The Mountain Bike Camps are part of the Loppet’s Trail Kids year-round programming. Trail Kids offers half day (8am – 12pm) mountain bike camps for beginner to advanced riders ages 7-13. While embracing the Loppet values of play, stewardship and well-being, these mountain bike camps focus on having fun, meeting new friends, and building a participant’s confidence in riding singletrack trails. Participants will learn in teams with riders of similar ages and abilities as they engage in skill work, destination rides, games, and progressive challenges that reinforce trail riding competency and stewardship. Participants will explore the single-track trails at Theodore Wirth Park and access an extensive network of paved trails for destination rides all while gaining skills they can use for a lifetime! Trail Kids mountain bike camps are instructed by coaches trained in teaching mountain bike skills, games, orienteering, and singletrack riding.

Equipment Needed: All participants will need their own mountain bike, helmet, and water carrier. Mountain bikes need to have both front and back wheel brakes on the handle bars (no peddle/coaster brakes). Kickstands also need to be removed. Tires must have tread and be wide enough to ride safely on mountain bike trails. For more on mountain bike equipment, view the Trail Kids MTB Equipment Guide. Trail Kids does not have the dedicated facilities for storing participant bikes outside of MTB Camp programming time.

Loppet Bike Rentals: In need of a bike for camp? Trail Kids has a limited number of rental mountain bikes available for an additional fee of $30. If you choose to rent a bike, make sure to select this add-on when you register (as supplies last).

Friend Requests: For safety and equity reasons, Trail Kids does not offer friend requests as part of registration. The mass quantity of friend requests made it impossible to accommodate them all and greatly impacted safety and group dynamics. We would love to allow everyone to practice with their friends, but if we cannot accommodate all friend requests, we cannot offer them to everyone. We encourage riders to embrace the opportunity to form new friendships through our programs!

Swag: Trail Kids T-shirt and water bottle for all participants available at no additional cost. In an effort to reduce waste, TK Swag is listed as an optional “add-on” during your registration. If you’d like your participant to receive this swag please ensure it is selected.

Camp Registration by Ability/Experience

We offer beginner and intermediate/advanced camps on different weeks so we can keep all participants appropriately challenged based on their riding ability. Beginner camps are designed for participants who have not taken a Trail Kids mountain bike program, are new to mountain biking, or are still working to gain proficiency in the fundamentals. See below for descriptions of camps and make sure to read through the Trail Kids MTB Ability Level Guide before registering your child. If your child is new to Trail Kids programs but has prior experience in mountain biking that fits the intermediate/advanced skill levels then feel free to register them for the intermediate/advanced camps.

Beginner Mountain Bike Camp Description

If your child is a true beginner rider with no experience, they should sign up for the beginner clinic. During the beginner mountain bike camp, the participants will be coached on a variety of fundamental mountain bike skills, so they can become safe and confident riders. Skills include:

1. Ready/neutral position for descending hills

2. Side/Side bike body separation

3. Pedaling/shifting efficiently

4. Controlling speed and braking safely

5. Cornering confidently

6. Handling obstacles and rocky terrain

7. Riding with vision

8. Ratcheting

Intermediate/Advanced Mountain Bike Camps

This camp is for riders who have mastered the green/beginner level skills, and are riding at the blue/intermediate, or black/advanced level based on the Trail Kids MTB Ability Level Guide. This camp will focus on more advanced bike skills along with riding some of the difficult single track trails/sections in and around Theodore Wirth Park.

All Girls MTB Camp

This camp welcomes female identifying campers of all skill levels to a week long mountain bike camp experience. Beginners: Participants will be coached on a variety of fundamental mountain bike skills, so they can become safe and confident riders along with riding more of the single track trails around Theodore Wirth Park. Intermediate/Advanced: Participants who have taken a past mountain bike camp, Trail Kids program, and who ride at the blue, or black mountain bike skill levels are also welcome to register and will focus on progressing their bike skills along with riding more of the difficult single track trails around Theodore Wirth Park. For ability level guidance, check out the Trail Kids MTB Ability Level Guide. Non-binary and trans participants are welcome to register for this week of camp!

MCA Prep Camp - Get Ready to Race

Looking forward to racing with a MCA (Minnesota Cycling Association) Middle school team in the fall? This camp is intended for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders looking to develop racing skills. The MCA Prep/Ready to Race mountain bike camp will focus on race oriented bike skills (starts, cornering, climbing, passing, etc.) along with riding more of the single track trails around Theodore Wirth Park. Participants in this camp should be riding at the blue bike skill level or above according to the Trail Kids MTB Ability Level Guide.

Weather Cancellations

While Trail Kids embraces the belief that the outdoors can be enjoyed in any weather, there are some weather circumstances, including high temperatures, thunderstorms, etc. that can create unsafe or wildly unpleasant experiences for our coaches and participants. We will occasionally cancel or shorten practices due to extreme weather. We make weather calls the day of, 90 minutes before the start of practice. We will contact you via email and/or Team App about adjustments to practices; please do not ask in advance. Assume practice is always running unless you have received an email or a Team App notification otherwise (be sure that you can receive Team App notifications and do not unsubscribe from RunSignUp). Due to the lack of adequate indoor space and additional programs utilizing it already, Trail Kids is unable to shift practices inside the Trailhead on days where we have inclement weather. In instances where practice is canceled due to inclement weather, we do not offer refunds or make

up practices.

Financial Assistance

The Loppet provides financial assistance for those in need. To apply, please fill out this Financial Assistance form. Our staff will be in touch with you with next steps once your application has been submitted. Limitations apply, please see the application form for rules and restrictions.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, recognizing the two-and-a-half-year gap between the Emancipation Proclamation and freedom reaching all people. It is a time to honor history, celebrate freedom, and work toward a more just future. In partnership with community organizations, the Loppet Foundation hosts the Annual Juneteenth Fun Run as part of its mission to connect people to the outdoors through inclusive, year-round activities in Theodore Wirth Park, providing skiing, biking, running, and outdoor education opportunities for all ages and abilities, including youth and neighboring communities.

Trail Kids Mountain Bike Programs are part of the Loppet Foundation’s Trail Kids year-round programming.

Trail Kids offers six-week mountain bike sessions for novice to advanced riders. Participants ages 7-13 will explore the paved & single-track trails in and around Theodore Wirth Park while gaining skills they can use for a lifetime! (for programming for 13 and older, check out LCW Juniors programs)! The focus of the mountain bike sessions is to develop skills, meet new friends, and have fun while building confidence riding single track trails.

Female-identifying, trans, and nonbinary youth are welcome to join any offering in which they feel most comfortable: Girls Rock or Co-ed

Ability Level Guide: For those who have NO experience mountain biking on singletrack trails it is highly recommended that they take one of our Beginner Mountain Bike Clinics before joining the six-week evening sessions. When registering your child make sure to indicate their ability level as described in the Trail Kids MTB Skill Level Guide.

Ages: Ages 7 – 13, beginner to advanced abilities welcome; we split into different coaching groups based on ability, pacing, and age. We do not have programs for kids 6 years of age and under, so please do not register them until they turn seven years old.

Equipment Needed: All participants will need their own mountain bike, helmet, and water carrier (no bottle cage on handlebars - CamelBaks are a great option too!). Mountain bikes need to have both front and back wheel brakes on the handle bars (no peddle brakes). No kickstands are allowed. Tires must have tread and be wide enough to ride safely on mountain bike trails. For more on mountain bike equipment, view the Trail Kids MTB Equipment Guide.

*Please note that rental bikes are not available for our 6-Week offerings.

Swag: Trail Kids T-shirt and water bottle for all participants available at no additional cost. In an effort to reduce waste, TK Swag is now listed as an optional “add-on” during your registration. If you’d like your participant to receive this swag please ensure it is selected.

Friend Requests: For safety and equity reasons, Trail Kids does not offer friend requests as part of registration. The mass quantity of friend requests made it impossible to accommodate them all and greatly impacted safety and group dynamics. We would love to allow everyone to practice with their friends, but if we cannot accommodate all friend requests, we cannot offer them to everyone. We encourage riders to embrace the opportunity to form new friendships through our programs!

Trail Kids MTB Race: As part of our Trail Kids program all participants will have the opportunity to participate in our Adventure MTB Race which is included with the Loppet Trail Kids MTB Program registration fee. The goal of the race is to introduce youth to trail racing, as well as to provide some competition for more experienced participants. There will be one race scheduled during a normally scheduled practice.

Weather Cancellations: While Trail Kids embraces the belief that the outdoors can be enjoyed in any weather, there are some weather circumstances, including high temperatures, thunderstorms, etc. that can create unsafe or wildly unpleasant experiences for our coaches and participants. We will occasionally cancel or shorten practices due to extreme weather. We make weather calls the day of, 90 minutes before the start of practice. We will contact you via email and/or Team App about adjustments to practices; please do not ask in advance. Assume practice is always running unless you have received an email or a Team App notification otherwise (be sure that you can receive Team App notifications and do not unsubscribe from RunSignUp). Due to the lack of adequate indoor space and additional programs utilizing it already, Trail Kids is unable to shift practices inside on days where we have inclement weather/AQI. In instances where practice is canceled due to inclement weather, we do not offer

refunds or make up practices.

Financial Assistance: To apply please fill out the Loppet Financial Assistance Application. We will follow up with you with instructions on how to register at a price that is manageable for your family. Applications for programs that start two weeks or less from the date of submission will not be approved. *Limitations apply, please see the application form for rules and restrictions. In most instances there will be a $500 financial assistance cap per person/per year.

Sibling Discount: For those families who have three or more kids in the Trail Kids offering we can provide a fifteen percent discount code. Please email [email protected] for more information.

Refund Policy: The Loppet will issue a full refund of the program fee minus the original processing fee up until 6 weeks before the program starts. Between 6 weeks and 4 weeks from the program start date, a 50% refund will be issued. Between 4 and 3 weeks from the program start date, a 25% refund will be issued. There are no refunds for any cancellations within less than 3 weeks of the start of a program. During the program, if your child has a medical issue that makes it impossible to participate, please contact the TK Admin team email at [email protected]. If the Loppet cancels a program, a full refund will be issued. For instructions on how to request a refund, click here.

Junior Loppet is a year-round, after-school program designed to empower middle school students in Minneapolis through a variety of outdoor activities, such as cross-country skiing, mountain biking, trail running, orienteering, paddling, camping, and nature exploration. The program targets schools where the majority of students qualify for free and reduced lunch. Junior Loppet fosters key outcomes of experience, healing, belonging, and empowerment. The program meets 2-3 days per week during the school year and runs throughout the summer, offering a combination of training, events, races, and weekend camping trips.

Through these outdoor adventures, students develop healthy habits, enhance their social and emotional skills, and build meaningful connections that set them on a path to success. Junior Loppet creates a supportive environment where youth can grow, thrive, and build resilience through physical activity, teamwork, and personal achievement.

Junior Loppet Summer programming will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Participants can look forward to paddling, hiking, orienteering, nature connection, team building, archery, gardening, outdoor play, biking, and mountain biking.