Adventure Race Expands into East Metro on January 29
Ninth Annual West Metro Race Happens February 17 and 18
West St. Paul & Maple Grove, MN – YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will host two opportunities for kids & families to take part in the famous Kidarod races. New this year is Kidarod East in West St. Paul on January 29 at Thompson County Park in partnership with Dakota County Parks and The Great Northern festival.
This year’s ninth annual Kidarod West race is presented by Cargill at Fish Lake Regional Park on February 17 and 18. There will be Nighttime Glow Racing on Friday night from 4-8 p.m. with a full day of racing happening February 18 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Race participants include kids ages 5-17 and adults registered with a kid. Participants choose their start time to create physical distancing and a safe adventure for all.
For the first time in American history, kids have a shorter life expectancy than their parents due to factors such as a sedentary lifestyle and declining participation in organized sports. The Kidarod, the nation’s largest winter adventure race for kids, is embraced by pediatricians in more than 50 Twin Cities pediatric clinics as a way to motivate kids to be more active.
“We are thrilled to provide safe, unique adventure opportunities for kids and families,” said Glen Gunderson, president of the Y. “When we empower young people to develop healthy habits early, we set them up for future success.”
Kidarod East and West are parts of an adventure race series partnership between YMCA’s Adventure Lab, Dakota County Parks, and Three River Parks District. The Kidarod includes trail running, hill-climbing, hiking, obstacles, sliding and more. The event will attract more than 1,500 participants and will feature fun activities in addition to the race, including a chance to meet a team of husky sled dogs. For more information, visit https://www.ymcanorth.org/adventure_lab.
WHO:
YMCA of the North Adventure Lab, Dakota County Parks, and Three Rivers Parks District
WHAT:
Inaugural Kidarod East & Ninth Annual Kidarod West
WHERE:
- Kidarod East: Thompson County Park at 360 Butler Ave E, West St Paul, MN 55118
- Kidarod West: Fish Lake Regional Park at 14900 Bass Lake Road in Maple Grove, MN 55311
WHEN:
Kidarod East:
- January 29 at 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Kidarod West:
- February 17 at 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- February 18 at 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
About the YMCA of the North
The YMCA of the North is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established 167 years ago, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across the greater Twin Cities metro region, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities. The 29 Y locations and program sites, eight overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage more than 370,000 men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcamn.org.