Make it a family affair and get the kids signed up for the FREE Whipper Snapper Races!  There will be plenty of time to get to the William A. Irvin 5K afterwards and your children will have a sense of participating and accomplishment.  Here's everything you need to know to make your day perfect!

The 41th annual Grandma’s Marathon weekend festivities start today with the Whipper Snapper Races. According to a Grandma’s Marathon press release, about 1,000 kids ages 14 and under will participate at Duluth’s beautiful Bayfront Festival Park.

The Whipper Snapper Races have some history.  They have been held every year since 1991 and have been giving children an opportunity to experience the sport of running while getting into the spirit of Grandma’s Marathon weekend.  After all, these are our future bib holders of Grandma's Marathons to come.

Registration for the Whipper Snapper Races begins at noon with races starting at 2 p.m. All participants receive an official race number, participation ribbon and goodie bag.

Be sure to take advantage of the photo ops!  You'll have a chance to get up close and personal with some of their favorite mascots, including 'Champ’ from UMD (one of my personal faves), the Coca Cola Polar Bear, ‘Sudz from Great Clips, ‘Tiki Tom’ from The Edge, ‘Harley D. Huskie’ from the Duluth Huskies and ‘Viktor’ from the Minnesota Vikings.  You can cheer your favorite on at the mascot races too!

You can pick up some souvenirs from the Advantage Emblem merchandise booth and visit with members of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders who will be on hand for autographs and photos.

You can hear LIVE coverage of Grandmas Marathon beginning Saturday morning at 6am on Sasquatch 106.5.

More From B105