The 5K Run/Walk Team Challenge takes place as part of the 5K Run/Walk and promotes health and wellness among area organizations with a little friendly competition. Run with your colleagues and alongside rival teams. 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.

Awards
All participants are welcome and encouraged to stay for the awards ceremonies and door prize giveaways at the expo stage beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday for the 5K and 11:30 a.m. on Saturday for the Half Marathon. See the Awards section below, for more information about awards being presented at CentraCare Earth Day Run.

Discarded Clothing
There will be no clothing drop box or gear check bags available. Participants who have overdressed or prefer to start the race with additional layers are responsible for retrieving clothing discarded along the race course. Any clothing items left along the course will be picked up and donated. Active Central MN is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Free Kids' 1K
The FREE 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 required and includes a t-shirt for those who register by March 23.

To ensure your little runner 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 5:30 p.m. sharp with heats starting 3:00 minutes apart. Locate your kids age group prior to the start of the race:

Heat 1: Ages 10-12
Heat 2: Ages 7-9
Heat 3: Ages 4-6
Heat 4: Ages 0-3
Heat 5: Kids running with parents*

Please remember: Parents should remain outside the staging and finish line area. 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.

*Parents of children participating in the Free Kids’ 1K are welcome to run, walk, or stroll with their little ones! There will be a dedicated heat at the start line for children accompanied by parents. For safety, all adults who intend to join their children on the course will be required to register (at no charge) during packet pickup to sign a waiver and receive an event wristband.

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 at 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.

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.

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.

Race Course Time Cap (Half Marathon)
Out of respect to the community, our volunteers, and law enforcement it is necessary to limit the length of time participants are out of the course. Time caps will be enforced so that road closures can be opened and volunteers released as agreed upon through the permitting process. The race course will close at 12:00pm. Participants estimated to finish after that time will be asked to exit the course or finish without support.

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.

Snacks and Beverages
There will be post-race recovery snacks from Coborn's and beverages from Bernick's for registered participants (participants must have their race bib on to be served in the food and beverage area).

Spectators
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.

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.

Results
Visit the Results page for official times following the event. Active Central MN events are timed by Pickle Events.

Photos
View and download FREE race day photos and purchase prints or merchandise from Focal Flame Photography following the event..

General Awards Policy

• All participants receive a finisher medal.
• Overall winners are not eligible for age group awards (no double-dipping).
• All results are based on overall gun time unless otherwise noted.
• Age group awards will not be announced on stage and must be picked up at the awards table.

Friday — Community Kickoff!
5K Run/Walk (and 5K Team Challenge)

Awards presented on stage:

• Male: 3rd Place, 2nd Place, Winner
• Female: 3rd Place, 2nd Place, Winner
• Fastest Team

Note: There are no age group awards for Friday events.

Saturday — Main Event!
Half Marathon (and Half Marathon Relay)

Awards presented on stage:

• Male: 3rd Place, 2nd Place, Winner
• Female: 3rd Place, 2nd Place, Winner
• Male Relay Team: 3rd Place, 2nd Place, Winner
• Female Relay Team: 3rd Place, 2nd Place, Winner
• Mixed Relay Team: 3rd Place, 2nd Place, Winner

Age group awards (awards for the top 3 male and female finishers in each age group are available for pickup at the Awards table):

• 19 and under
• 20-29
• 30-39
• 40-49
• 50-59
• 60-69
• 70-79
• 80+

Note: Age group award winners will be determined based on official results. Awards will be available for pickup at the designated awards/results table starting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Participants are responsible for checking results and picking up awards.

Want to see if you're registered? Looking for a participant? Click the button to see the full list of registered participants.

Race start/finish location
River’s Edge Convention Center
10 4th Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN 56301

All races start and finish directly in front of the River’s Edge Convention Center in downtown St.Cloud.

Parking
Visit the city website for downtown St. Cloud parking information. All downtown parking ramps and lots will be FREE on Friday after 5 p.m. and Saturday all day.

Additional free parking is available in the C Lot and V Lot on the St. Cloud State University campus.

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 (& Downtown Bucks!)
We encourage participants and spectators to enjoy all that St. Cloud has to offer Earth Day Run weekend.

2026 CentraCare Earth Day Run participants will receive two $5 vouchers (totaling $10) at packet pickup. These "Downtown Bucks" are the community's way of inviting you to explore the heart of St. Cloud and support the vibrant local downtown business community. You can redeem your vouchers from Friday, April 17, through Sunday, April 19, 2026, and even combine both for a single $10 purchase. Please note that these vouchers have no cash value, and no change will be given if your purchase is under the voucher amount.

See a full list of participating businesses where you can spend your “Downtown Bucks.”

Find hotel accommodation info at visitstcloud.com.