2020 Park Point 5-Miler Includes Several Options for Runners

Park Point 5-Miler In-Person Race Happening Thursday, July 16

DULUTH, Minn. – This year’s Park Point 5-Miler will go forward with multiple options for runners amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grandma’s Marathon has been working for weeks with guidance from the City of Duluth and the Grandma’s Marathon Medical Director to come up with a safe way to host the annual event.

The plan allows the event to move forward as safe as possible within the COVID-19 guidelines outlined by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

Runners will be able to choose from multiple different times to run/walk the in-person event or participants can choose to race virtually.

The chip timed, in-person Park Point 5-Miler/2-Mile Walk will take place on Thursday, July 16.

Throughout the day there will be three-hour time blocks (Sunrise, Midday and Twilight).

The Sunrise block will take place from 6:00 – 9:00 a.m., the Midday block from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., and the Twilight block from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

According to spokesperson Mandi Peterson, each block will include ten waves of up to 25 people socially distanced at 6 feet apart, and participants will be able to select their wave during the registration process.

Waves are assigned on a first come, first served basis, and registration for each wave will close once the 25 person per wave capacity is met.

There is also a virtual option to complete the Park Point 5-Miler/2-Mile Walk. If selected, this option allows participants the ability to complete their race at any time and location during the July 13 – 17 timeframe.

Click here to register for the 49th annual Park Point 5-Miler.

Online registration for the in-person option closes at 11:59 p.m. on July 13, and registration for the virtual option closes at 11:59 p.m. on July 16.

There will be no exclusive kids-only dashes this year.

Proceeds from the events benefit the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF), a Grandma’s Marathon program focused on the promotion and development of healthy and active lifestyles for youth throughout the region.