Whipper Snapper Races Will Kick Off Grandma’s Marathon 2014

Make it a family affair and get the kids signed up for the FREE Whipper Snapper Races this Friday afternoon!  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 38th annual Grandma’s Marathon weekend is almost here and the festivities start with the Whipper Snapper Races. According to a Grandma’s Marathon press release, about 1,000 kids ages 14 and under will kick off the weekend festivities Friday, June 20 in 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.

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

Children and their families will have a chance to get up close and personal with some of their favorite mascots, including Wells Fargo Bank’s ‘Jack the Dog’, ‘Champ’ from UMD, the Coca Cola Polar Bear, ‘Tiki Tom’ from The Edge, ‘Harley D. Huskie’ from the Duluth Huskies and ‘Viktor’ from the Minnesota Vikings.These and other mascots will have their own race before the kids run at 2pm.

Members of the Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders will be on hand for autographs and photos and an Advantage Emblem merchandise booth also will be open.

There’s something for everyone at the Whipper Snapper Races for Kids. Sponsors include the City of Duluth, the Duluth Lions Club, maurices, Super One Foods, Green Mill, Old Dutch, Dasani, the Minnesota Vikings, the Duluth News Tribune, Pearson’s Candy Company, KBJR 6 and Range 11, ESPN Radio 560 WEBC, the Young Athletes Foundation and Grandma’s Marathon.

You can hear LIVE coverage of Grandmas Marathon beginning Saturday morning at 6am on our sister station ESPN Radio 560, WEBC.