8th Annual St. Fennessy 4K Runs Again After Last Year’s Race Fell to Pandemic

HERMANTOWN, Minn.– It’s race day in Hermantown as Grandma’s holds their first race for 2021.

“Just to be back and to see some friendly faces is great,” said Marketing and Public Relations Director for Grandma’s Marathon Zach Schneider.

It was a sea of green on Saturday as around 500 people participated in the St. Fennessy 4K in Hermantown once again after the 2020 race was cancelled during the same week the pandemic forced the state to shut down.

“We were caught up in that so to be back with this event. And to see everybody dressed up in green and just enjoy the sunshine and the return to running is a great thing for us,” said Schneider.

Starting at the Hermantown High School, runners were sent out in waves of 25 participants every 5 minutes to keep everyone apart. They ran down arrowhead road all the way to the finish line at Skyline Social and Games.

“In a normal year, we would have a big post-race party,” said Schneider “This year, a little bit different.”

Coming down all the way from silver bay, the Nelson family ran together in their first Grandma’s race.

“We looking forward to something out in the sunshine and get a little activity and some exercise,” said Brett Nelson.

“Something the whole family can do,” said Charissa Nelson.

“And I wanna kick butt!” exclaimed Areen Nelson.

After being stuck in the house with distance learning and missing out on other events during the pandemic. The family thought it would be a great activity they could all do together.

“So many things have been cancelled for these guys in the past year so this is something that we can do together, be outside, and don’t have to worry, get fresh air,” said Charissa.

After the snowfall earlier this week, race officials say the unseasonably warm temps and sun couldn’t have made it a better day to run.

“You look two or three days ago and there was 6 or 7, eight inches of snow on the ground” said Schneider. “To get into the 50s today get some sunshine, no clouds the sky is great.”

One of the first big outdoor events of the year, the St. Fennessy 4k kicked off the 2021 slate of Grandma’s races. Officials say every race helps them prepare for the marathon this summer.

“Anytime we get to do this now given what we’ve all experienced over the past year, we’re just grateful to be out here putting on events and every time we do it we get a little bit better at it,” said Schneider.

The next Grandma’s race on the calendar is coming up quick. That will be the Fitger’s 5K on April 17.