Race Day
Early Registration & Packet Pickup
Friday, Sept. 16th, 2022
4-7pm – Early T-shirt & Packet Pick Up
Location: Woodland Trails
Address: 20135 Elk Lake Rd NW, Elk River, MN 55330
Chalk Party! Help us Chalk the Walk with positive messages and remembrance of our loved ones! (chalk provided)
Saturday, Sept. 17th, 2022
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- 7:00am – Packet Pickup & Same-Day Registration
- 9:00am – Opening Ceremony & Keynote Speaker
- Race starts times TBD
Directions & Parking Information
- Event Location: Woodland Trails Park
- Parking Location: Elk River High School – 900 School St NW, Elk River, MN 55330
- Parking is free/no-charge
- Buses will pick you up at the Elk River High School Parking lot and bring you to Woodland Trails
- Buses will have trails for bikes, strollers and wagons
- On-site parking is reserved for: Handicap, Sponsors, Vendors, Volunteers, Seniors 55+ & Military/First Responders
Other Activities & Info
- Must register by Wednesday, August 31st, 2022 to be guaranteed a t-shirt with your registration fee
- Bring a photo of your loved one for the Memory Tree
- Dogs are NOT allowed on the buses. If you are planning to bring your dog, you must first drop them off at Woodland Trails and then go back to the Elk River High School to park before being bussed over. Dogs must be dropped off with a person and be on a leash at all times. Please clean up after your pets. (Bring your own doggy bags)
- Mental Health Vendors will be On-Site
- Dress for the weather
Kids Activities
- Obstacle Course – Kids 12 & under ($20/child)
- Bounce Houses, Crazy Hair, Face Painting & Animal Balloons
- Kindness Rock Painting by Plaisted Companies
Food Trucks & Beverages
- Food Trucks
- Free complimentary coffee
- Water Stations along route
Other Information
- Bring a photo of your loved one for the Memory Tree
- Mental Health Vendors
Kids Obstacle Course – Out of this World!
- The Kids Obstacle Course is just $20! Kids can also participate with you on the 5K run/walk/bike event
- Must register by Wednesday, August 31st, 2022 to be guaranteed a t-shirt with your registration fee
- Kids can choose from a cape or t-shirt at registration (capes will also be available for purchase on race day!)
- The obstacle course will start off with a HUGE bounce house obstacle course followed by stepping stones, big planet exercise balls to roll around and jump on top of, balance beams, tunnels and more!
Keynote Speakers – Shannon Lee & Janet Casperson
Two Mothers Unite to Help Others Who Struggle.
After each of them suffered a loss in 2020, two mothers from Blaine, Minnesota are putting a focus on mental health for kids. Mothers Janet Casperson and Shannon Lee share the unimaginable pain and heartbreak of losing children in 2020. Janet’s son Sam Casperson and Shannon’s daughter Ashlyn Lee had dated briefly before both died by suicide about six weeks apart.
One area of focus, particularly for Shannon, when it comes to teenage mental health is social media. “Kids don’t realize their words and actions, both good and bad, have such a profound impact on people,” said Shannon. “They just don’t see that behind the screen.” Shannon says Ashlyn was badly bullied online before her death last February.
The pair of moms have since become great friends and mental health advocates. They are vowing to use their voices and experiences to save other young lives. They hope to share a message of resilience and coping skills to help others get through a tough season and for those greiving the loss of a loved one by suicide.
View Elk River Star News Article here.