From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find virtual events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
Race Location:
CentraCare-Rice Memorial Hospital Ambulance Garage
Corner of Becker Ave and 2nd Street
Willmar, MN
It is a fun event for the whole family that takes place each year during Willmar Fests. The race is a four-mile, USATF-certified course that starts in downtown Willmar, winds along beautiful Foot Lake and the scenic trails of Robbins Island, then passes over the First Street bridge before returning to Rice Memorial Hospital. Runners will be timed using electronic chips included inside each race bib. Water stops are provided at two locations along the route, and splits are available at the one, two, and three-mile marks. Bleachers are set up near the finish line at 2nd Street and Becker Avenue for spectators, family and friends.
Gather your family and friends to join the race, people are invited to run or walk, create a group name and be in the running to be the largest group. Each group member of the largest group will receive a medal.
Virtual racing is an option again this year. There is an extra $5 charge to pay for shipping of the shirt.
Race Entry Includes:
T-shirt
Pancake Feed Ticket
Water and snacks
Opportunity for a free chair massage before the race
A portion of total registration fees will go to the non-profit Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series
Race Day Schedule:
6:30-7:45 a.m. - Registration opens (CentraCare-Rice Memorial Hospital Ambulance Garage)
7:45 a.m. – Registration Closes
8:00 a.m. - Race Starts
9:30 a.m. -Awards (Estimated time)
Runner's Shirts:
Shirt sizes are ONLY guaranteed for registrations prior to midnight on June 9th.
Race day t-shirts are distributed on a “first come, first served” basis.
Divisions:
Men: 10 and under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 -74, 75-79, 80 - 84 and 85+
Women: 10 and under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 -74, 75-79, 80 - 84 and 85+
Results can be found at this link as soon as you cross the finish: www.pickleevents.com
Awards:
Medals for the top female and top male - each will receive free race entry for the 2024 Foot Lake 4
Medals for places 1-3 in each division
Medals for each member of the Largest Group (ONLY applies to preregistered entries)
Find results here....
PACKET PICK-UP
Race packets can be picked up at the CentraCare-Rice Memorial Hospital Ambulance Garage (Becker Avenue and 2nd Street) from 6:30am until 7:45am on race day. Please allow enough time to pick up your packet!
IMPORTANT
The course will be close to traffic for one hour. At 9:00 am the police will open the course to traffic (Litchfield Ave). If you are on the course after 9:00am you must use the crosswalks and obey the traffic signals. The finish line road will be closed to traffic until the end of the event (2nd St.). This should mostly pertain to walkers. Thank you for understanding.
Welcome to the 9th annual Jared Anez Eagle Lake Race Series!
The morning's events include: Half Marathon, 5K Run/Walk, Kids Fun Run, and Bean Bag Tournament! Ice Cream Truck will also be on site again this year!
NEW FOR 2026: Additional race t-shirt purchases will be available to order online through July 18th. A limited number and sizes of t-shirts will be sold at packet pick-up and on race day.
Half Marathon: 13.1 miles. This is included in the Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series and each official finisher will be awarded points in the series along with a finisher's medal and gift. The course will be supported through 3 hours; after the 3 hour cut off, you are considered a self-supported pedestrian and are not guaranteed an official finish time. All in-person participants are eligible for overall and age group awards. Participants will receive a race T-shirt with their race packet (guaranteed if registered by July 18).
7:00 AM Half Marathon Start
5K: Participants are welcome as runners or walkers; strollers or wagons are welcome. No pets, please. Participants will receive a race T-shirt with their race packet (guaranteed if registered by July 18).
8:15 AM 5K Start
NO Virtual Half Marathon or 5k options for 2026. Please consider donating or purchasing a race t-shirt as a way to show your support.
Kids Fun Run: Kids 10 and under are welcome to run or walk the Kids Fun Run at 9:00 am - it's FREE! Each participant in the Fun Run will run through the finish line arch and receive a ribbon. The Kids Fun Run will start and end near the race finish line. You may sign up for the free kids fun run but registration is not required.
BEAN BAG TOURNAMENT: For those who want to participate in the day's events without running, this is for you! Each 2-person team should register before August 1 if possible, but we will also take same day registration before 8:00am. 2-Person Team Entry is $30. Tossing begins around 8:15 am. If there is unfavorable weather, the bean bag tournament will be held indoors in the Big Red Gym.
Jared Anez was a father, husband, local agriculture business owner, school board chairman, and an active member of the Willmar community who passed away unexpectedly in March of 2017. Jared was passionate about education, family, faith, and a healthy, active lifestyle. These values are demonstrated daily by Jared's wife, Kami, and their 6 children, Sam, Savannah, Harley, Jonas, Sullivan and Lawson and we are grateful for everything they bring to the Willmar community. We are honoring Jared's legacy and the Anez Family's commitment to education and community with this race series.
We are proud to celebrate Jared's legacy by funding scholarships from race proceeds for high school students pursuing post-secondary education in a STEM-related field. Last year, for the graduating class of 2025, the Jared Anez Memorial gave $11,000 to the Willmar High School and New London-Spicer High School Scholarship Programs! A total sum of $88,000 in scholarships has been given over the last eight years. We couldn't make this contribution to high school students each year without the donations from our community sponsors, donors, volunteers, and all of the participants who choose to run and toss with us! Thank you to all of you!
USA Swimming Club. 74 members.