Earth Day Run

Medals

Race participants will receive the 2024 CentraCare Earth Day Run medal. Stay tuned for the finisher medal design, which may be revealed soon!

T-shirt

Race participants will receive the 2024 CentraCare Earth Day Run t-shirt (short sleeve t-shirts for 5K and kids 1K participants and long sleeve for half marathon participants). Stay tuned for the t-shirt design, which may be revealed soon!

Awards

Special awards are presented to corporate and relay team as well as first, second and third place men and women finishers across several age groups:

19 and under          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 and up

5K Corporate Challenge fastest teams

5K Corporate Challenge largest teams

Half marathon relay team (Male)

Half marathon relay team (Female)

Half marathon relay team (Co-ed)

Food and Music at the Finish Line

Participants will enjoy live music, food and refreshments at the finish line, inside the River’s Edge Convention Center.

Central McGowan Packet Pickup

11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday, April 19, 2024
Earth Day Run Health & Wellness Expo
River’s Edge Convention Center
10 4th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301

What you need to know

• Participants must have one form of identification when picking up their race packet.
• Participants may have their packet picked up by another individual; however, that person will need to present his or her own ID to claim your registration.
• Team captains for relay teams must pick up packets for relay team members. Relay teams will only have one bib; thus, the relay team member that is crossing the finish line should be the one wearing the bib.
• Team captains for the 5K Corporate Challenge will pick up a packet with all team member materials. Team captains must present photo ID for recording purposes. If you are not a team captain, please find your team captain to collect your race day bib and clothing. Packets are sorted by team name.

Can’t make it on Friday? We offer race-day pickup for a fee!

• All packets not picked up on Friday will be automatically transferred to our race-day pickup service.
• The race-day pickup service is $5 (CASH ONLY) with all proceeds going to the local track and field and cross-country teams. Local student athletes will have your packet ready for you to pick up Saturday morning beginning at 6:30 a.m. at the River’s Edge Convention Center. Advanced registration for this service is not required.

Friday, April 19, 2024:

11 a.m.-8 p.m. Expo and packet pickup

6:30 p.m. – Capital One Kid’s 1K Run

Saturday, April 20, 2024:

6:30 a.m. – Race-day packet pickup 

8:30 a.m. – Bernick’s Half Marathon start time

8:30 a.m. – Bernick’s Half Marathon Relay start time

9:00 a.m. – Capital One 5K Walk/Run, including the 5K Corporate Challenge

11:30 a.m. – Awards

11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday, April 19, 2024
River’s Edge Convention Center
10 4th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301

Check out the Earth Day Run Health & Wellness Expo in historic downtown St. Cloud, MN! Local, regional and national vendors will be selling, sampling, and showing off the latest products from the world of running and fitness. You’ll find great deals on everything from running shoes to your last-minute nutrition needs as well as hand crafted souvenirs from local artisans.

Learn more about becoming an Earth Day Run Health & Wellness Expo exhibitor and complete the vendor requirements.

Sign up to become an Earth Day Run Health & Wellness Expo exhibitor now!

Bernick’s Half Marathon

The race starts on the East St. Germain bridge, adjacent to the River’s Edge Convention Center (10 4th Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301). The half marathon course tours the best of St. Cloud and includes gorgeous Mississippi River views and trails, tree-lined neighborhoods, the St. Cloud State University campus and — of course — the downtown St. Cloud finish, where runners will cap off the run with a sprint down historic St. Germain Street. This generally flat half marathon course is the best way to kick start your running season!

Capital One 5K

The race starts on the East St. Germain bridge, adjacent to the River’s Edge Convention Center (10 4th Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301). Working closely with the City of St. Cloud and St. Cloud Police Department, we’ve created an amazing 5K course set almost entirely along the Mississippi River! Participants will start in downtown St. Cloud, enjoy great views of mighty Mississippi, turn around at Munsinger Gardens, before finishing on historic St. Germain Street, where they’ll enjoy the celebration they deserve! This Friday night tradition is a great event for experienced runners, first-timers and for those needing a warm-up for Saturday’s race.

Capital One Kids 1K

The Kids 1K course, which features a loop through part of downtown St. Cloud, starts and ends adjacent to the River’s Edge Convention Center (10 4th Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301).

Mahowald Cheer Zones

Mahowald Cheer Zones will be located across five energizing locations on Saturday morning during the CentraCare Earth Day Run half marathon. To host an official Cheer Zone, your group must apply and be chosen. All applications will be reviewed, and the Earth Day Run committee will select five groups to participate in this year’s cheer zone areas. Groups must be a charitable organization (sports team, non-profit, etc.) raising money and support for their cause as part of this cheer zone. Selected groups will automatically receive a $500 stipend towards their organization. After the race, runners will be asked to vote for the most motivating Cheer Zone, and the wining group will receive an additional $1000.

Requirements:

• Apply by filling out the Cheer Zone Application and submitting it by March 22, 2024, to rw.mahowald@mahowald.net.
• Selected groups will be designated to a cheer zone area next to the half marathon course, where they can set up there zone to be as fun and festive as possible.
• Groups must be in place before the first runners arrive (approximately 9:00 a.m.) and can break down their cheer zone when cleared by the Earth Day Run volunteers at around 11:30 a.m.
• Groups must have a minimum of 10 participants (we encourage 20+!)
• There is no electricity on the course, but music, instruments, high fives, and more are encouraged. Groups are permitted to bring their own power source/ generator and reasonably sized sound system for music.
• Clearly represent your organization with signage, costumes, etc., for ease of voting.

5K Corporate Challenge

The 5K Corporate Challenge takes place as part of the 5K Run/Walk and promotes health and wellness among area businesses. Run with your colleagues and alongside rival companies. Teams consist of 5-10 runners. All competitors will have their times recorded and adjusted using an age-grading scale. Age-grading scales work to even the field among runners of all ages and genders. The top five times from team members will then be added up and averaged to produce the team’s overall time. Get the Earth Day Run weekend started with this fun, healthy, team-building adventure.

Bernick’s Half Marathon Relay

If you’re not quite ready to tackle 13.1 miles, grab a friend, relative, coworker, or stranger and take on the half marathon together! Each of you will run approximately 6.5 miles, with the first runner kicking off the relay at the half marathon start line on 1st Street North next to the River’s Edge Convention Center and the second runner taking over at the half marathon relay Exchange Zone just after Mile 6.

Half marathon relay Exchange Zone:

• The half marathon relay Exchange Zone is located at 2480 Clearwater Road, St. Cloud, MN 56301 (just after Mile 6).
• A relay Exchange Zone shuttle provided by Trobec’s Bus will be located at the Metro Bus lot located across from Wells Fargo on 5th Avenue in downtown St. Cloud. Shuttles will run every 15-20 minutes to allow for easy access to and from the Exchange Zone.
• Parking is available at nearby Life Assembly of God Church (2409 Clearwater Rd, St Cloud, MN 56301); however, we encourage participants to use the relay Exchange Zone shuttle as there will be limited parking available at the church.
• Participants must enter the relay Exchange Zone via the crossing near the shuttle drop off point. Police officers and volunteers will assist with foot traffic crossing the road. Spectators are allowed adjacent to the exchange zone, but they should not enter the run route or exchange zone. Signage will assist you and make it easy for you when you arrive.

Capital One Kids 1K

The Kids 1K invites children 12 and younger to run, walk or wheel their way to the finish line. This is an inclusive event and is accessible to children of all abilities. Registration is only $10 and includes a t-shirt. Limited to 500 adventurers!

To ensure your little adventurer can get the most out of the 1K:

• Register with a buddy
• Invite family members to cheer for the young participants
• Wear running shoes and comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes

The 1K will begin at 6:30 p.m. sharp with four heats 3:00 minutes apart. Locate your age group prior to the start of the race:

Heat 1: Ages 11 and up

Heat 2: Ages 8-10

Heat 3: Ages 5-7

Heat 4: Ages 4 and under

Please remember: Parents should remain outside the staging and finish line area. Parents are allowed to run with young children, but space is limited. No strollers are allowed on the 1K course. If a child arrives at the finish line without a parent or guardian, they will be kept in the finish line chute until a parent or guardian arrives to pick them up. Volunteers will be there to assist.

Headphones

Headphones/earbuds are allowed for all events, which are closed to traffic. We ask that participants be safe, courteous, and aware of other runners if they choose to use headphones on the course.

Clothing Drop Box

For participants who have overdressed or prefer to start the race with additional layers, there will be a clothing drop box at the start line and at the first water stop. Items tossed into the drop boxes will be brought to the finish line, so participants can recover their items. Active Central MN is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Restrooms

Several porta-potties will be located near the River’s Edge Convention Center. Porta-potties will be located about every two miles on the half marathon course.

Food, provided by Coborn’s

There will be a great spread of post-race recovery food available, which is for registered participants only (participants must have their racer bib on to be served in the food area).

Water

Water and Gatorade stands will be located about every two miles on the half marathon course. For participants running the 5K, there will be a water station at or near the turnaround at Munsinger Gardens.

Weather

We’re running rain or shine! The race will not be rescheduled due to inclement weather; however, in the event of severe weather, all attempts will be made to delay the race rather than cancel it.

Although we cannot predict the weather, we can provide some historical weather averages for the area on race weekend. In St. Cloud, average Earth Day Run weekend temperatures include highs of around 57°F and lows of around 35°F and record temperatures include a high of 96°F and low of 21°F. Participants should be sure to check the weather forecast in the days leading up to their runs.

Note that weather conditions can change rapidly. We recommend participants prepare for both best- and worst-case scenarios when preparing and selecting clothing for the race.

Any weather-related delays will be reported on the Active Central MN Facebook page in the event they occur.

Awards Ceremony

All racers are encouraged to stay for the awards ceremony starting at approximately 11:30 a.m. in front of the stage area. We look forward to presenting awards for all age groups in 5-year increments. Winners must be present to claim their prizes.

Medical

If you need medical assistance, from band-aids and ice packs to medical emergencies, staff from CentraCare will be located near the finish line. Volunteers along the course will be available to call for aid, in the case of emergencies.

Need Assistance?

For those who have additional questions or need assistance prior to race day, please contact us at heather.rothfork@activecentralmn.org.

Online registration ends Tuesday, April 16, 2024 (last-minute registrants can sign up in-person at the Expo from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024). Event partner GetMeRegistered.com provides secure, online registration for Earth Day Run and all Active Central MN events.

Race start/finish location

River’s Edge Convention Center
10 4th Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN 56301

All races start on the East St. Germain bridge, adjacent to the River’s Edge Convention Center.

Parking

Visit the city website for downtown St. Cloud parking information.

Parking south of downtown is encouraged. For participants parking near the north end of the St. Cloud State University campus or by Lake George, expect a 5 to 10-minute walk through downtown to and from the start and finish lines adjacent to the River’s Edge Convention Center (10 4th Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301).

Road Closures

All races over Earth Day Run weekend will start and finish in downtown St. Cloud. Several downtown streets will be temporarily closed to traffic for race events, including the East St. Germain Bridge (Veterans Bridge, just north of the River’s Edge Convention Center), West St. Germain Street, 5th Avenue and others. Please be aware that these closures that may affect your travel and require detours and additional time to reach local destinations.

The City of St. Cloud and the St. Cloud Police Department worked on course routes to minimize disturbances and ensure community safety and the safety of event participants. In cases of emergency, vehicles and responders will make it into all locations.

Lodging and Restaurants:

We encourage participants and spectators to enjoy all that St. Cloud has to offer Earth Day Run weekend.

Restaurants and bars include, 7 West Taphouse, Cowboy Jack’s, Green Mill, Howie’s Sports Bar & Grill, Jules’ Bistro, MC’s Dugout, Olde Brick House, The Pickled Loon, Red Carpet Nightclub, Veranda Lounge, The White Horse among many others. 

Stay the weekend at one of many area hotels. Learn more about lodging, restaurant and entertainment options at visitstcloud.com.

Thanks to all spectators who come out to support our Earth Day Run participants! We hope you enjoy the race.

Note that, for the safety of spectators and race participants, we ask that those watching the race remain clear of the immediate race course. Spectating pets should be tightly leashed and kept clear of the course.

Results

Check back here for official times following the event. Active Central MN events are timed by Pickle Events. Results can be found by going to www.mtecresults.com or www.pickleevents.com

Photos

Check our Facebook page at facebook.com/activecentralmn about a week after the race to see photos.

Each year, volunteers help direct runners and provide a safe experience for everyone during the CentraCare Earth Day Run. If you are part of a nonprofit, you may use this event as a fundraiser for your organization!

The rates of volunteer pay are as follows: $35 per volunteer for groups of 1-20 volunteers and $40 per volunteer for groups of 20+ volunteers.

Event setup, the expo, and Kids 1K will take place on Friday, April 19, and we have volunteer openings throughout the day on Friday. Half Marathon and 5K events begin at 8:30am on Saturday, April 20. Volunteers will start at 8:00am and will be finished by 11:30am. Volunteers will be stationed at various locations along the run course to direct runners and provide a safe experience for everyone.

NOTE: Due to safety and liability considerations, volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. Parents are welcome to volunteer in place of a child who is under the age limit or to volunteer as an additional member of a group in the case that their child meets age eligibility requirements.

Active Central Minnesota also has other volunteer opportunities and fundraising opportunities for non-profits. We have events in May, June, and August. If your team is interested in signing up for volunteering for these events, please reach out to heather.corcoran@activecentralmn.org and she will reach back to you with details.