13TH ANNUAL THUMBS UP RUN/WALK/BIKE EVENT
Join us Saturday, September 19, 2026!
Choose a scenic 5K or 10K (run, walk, or bike) on paved trails with beautiful views of the lake and conservation area. Kids can enjoy a fun, non-timed Youth Color Run. This family-friendly gathering celebrates mental health awareness, reduces stigma around mental illness, and honors those lost to suicide — all while building community through movement, remembrance, wellness vendors, and kid-friendly activities.
Come move forward together — one step, one conversation, one thumbs up at a time!
Registration is now OPEN!
Sign up to Volunteer!
Early Registration & Packet Pickup
Thursday, September 17th, 2026
4:00-7:00 pm: Early Packet Pickup
Location: Ripple Effect Brewing Company
Address: 14086 Northdale Blvd, Rogers, MN 55374
Pick up your race materials, purchase Thumbs Up merch, & enjoy great company with food and beverage at Ripple Effect!
Friday, September 18th, 2026
4:00-7:00 pm: Early Packet Pickup
Location: Orono Park Pavilion
Address: 18599 Gary St., Elk River, MN 55330
Chalk Party! Help us Chalk the Walk with positive messages and remembrances of our loved ones (chalk provided), and enjoy dinner with a food truck yet to be announced!
REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 9:00 PM!
Directions & Parking
Event Location: Lake Orono Park – 18599 Gary Street, Elk River, MN 55330
Free parking is available at the Sherburne County Fairground Parking Lot:
18335 Joplin St NW, Elk River, MN 55330
Please try to carpool if you are able!
Saturday, September 19th, 2026
7:00 am – 8:30 am: Same-Day Packet Pickup
9:00 am: Opening & Remembrance Ceremony
9:25 am: Keynote Speaker – Lindsey Young
9:45 am: Pre-Race Stretch
10:00 am: Races Begin
- 10:00 am – 5K & 10K Bike
- 10:03 am – 5K & 10K Run
- 10:20 am – 5K Walk
11:00 am: Festivities & Food Trucks
11:15 am: Top Finishers Award Ceremony
11:45 am: Youth Color Run sponsored by Elk Dental Center
- Ages 3-5: 1/2K
- Ages 6-8: 1K
- Ages 9-12: 1 mile
1:00 pm: End of event
The registration fee for all participants includes entry into your chosen walk, run, or bike distance, access to all pre- and post- event activities, a participant shirt, race bib, and a finisher medal!
Register by August 23rd, 2026 to be guaranteed a t-shirt with your registration fee!
Youth Activities
Youth Color Run!
Crazy Hair
Face Painting
Kindness Rocks by Plaisted Companies
Mindfulness by Ms. Liz
Playground area
Splash Pad (weather dependent)
Food & Beverages
Food Trucks Available On-Site:
To be announced soon!
Water Stations available along the route
Activities & More Info
Memory Tree – Bring a photo of your loved one to be displayed
Grief Support & Bereavement Memorial Area
Mental Health & Wellness Vendors On-Site
Veteran Memorial Area sponsored by Hannay Electric
Miniature Horses by InterMission Horses
Caricatures by Creating Colucci
Friendly dogs are welcome at the event and must be on a leash at all times. Please clean up after your pets.
13th Annual Vendor Directory – Coming Soon!
13th Annual Vendor Map – Coming Soon!
Youth Color Run
Thank you Elk Dental Center for sponsoring our 2nd Annual Youth Color Run!
Returning this year – a Youth Fun Run complete with clouds of color bursting along the course, massive smiles, and giggles you won’t forget! The Youth Color Run will be divided into three distances by age and take place following the main run/walk/bike event:
Ages 3-5: 1/2K
Ages 6-8: 1K
Ages 9-12: 1 mile
The Youth Registration Fee (ages 3-12) includes the Youth Color Run, a participant shirt, and rubber medal for each registrant. There is no fee for children age two and under.
Please note: the fun run is NOT chip-timed. Youth should register for the standard 5K or 10K event to receive a chip time.
Register by August 23rd, 2026 to be guaranteed a t-shirt with your registration fee!
Keynote Speaker – Lindsey Young!
Lindsey Young is a Twin Cities-based writer and storyteller, balancing her full-time work for the Minnesota Vikings with her passion for mental health advocacy. Once an especially cautious and sensitive child herself, she continues to feel things deeply and seeks ways to use anxiety as a superpower to help others. She’s a follower of Jesus; a proud auntie to Oliver, Audrey and Henley; and a dog mom to the real-life Tater Tot. Lindsey aims to tell stories that remind people — especially children — they are seen, valued and immensely loved.
The Annual Thumbs Up 5K & 10K route sponsored by First Bank Elk River takes place in charming Elk River, Minnesota. The paved road course offers a 3.1-mile (5K) and a 6.2-mile (10K) run, walk, or bike race. Take in the beauty of the William H. Houlton Conservation Area, the Lake Orono Dam, and breathtaking views along Lake Orono.
