Saint Fennessy 4K Festive Run: Costumes, Parties, and Fun

Saint Fennessy 4K |10:00 a.m. | Saturday, March 16 |Hermantown, MN

START & FINISH LINE: Skyline Social & Games, 4894 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811

The Saint Fennessy 4K is a festive fun run that kicks off the yearly racing schedule of Grandma’s Marathon, and celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day. I got the chance to talk to Zach Schneider, the Marketing & Public Relations Director of Grandma’s Marathon about the event.

Zach talked of Don Fennessy, a longtime Grandma’s Marathon volunteer that the race was named after, and how this race is the perfect distance for runners of all ages and abilities.

Skyline Social & Games will open at 8:00 a.m. on race day, and the kitchen will be open starting at 10:00 a.m. Specialty drinks will be served throughout the day in celebration of the Saint Fennessy 4K participants.

I then asked him about registration for the event.

You can register online HERE through Thursday, and in-person registration will be available during packet pickup times at Skyline Social & Games.

Adults – $35 | Youth (18 & under) – $10

All participants will receive a Saint Fennessy 4K long sleeve shirt, included with their registration fee. All Saint Fennessy 4K participants will also have the option to purchase commemorative Fitsoks for $7, either during registration or at packet pickup.

Fitsoks Sizing Information:

• Large — Men’s Shoe Size 9-11; Women’s Shoe Size 10-12
• Medium — Men’s Shoe Size 6-8; Women’s Shoe Size 7-9

At packet pickup, participants will have a chance to purchase $10 raffle tickets with the grand prize being a 24” bicycle (or $700 gift certificate), courtesy of Ski Hut. The winner will be announced at the start line. The gift certificate must be used at the Ski Hut in Duluth on or before December 31, 2024.

All net proceeds from the Saint Fennessy 4K benefit the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF), which since its inception in 1990 has contributed more than $1.3M to community youth and recreational athletic organizations through a series of grants, scholarships, and free kids’ programming.

 Participants are encouraged to stay for one of the best post-race parties around, complete with festive St. Patrick’s Day-themed drinks.

Lucky Charm — $9
melon liqueur, vodka, white run, pink lemonade

Irish Luck — $9
tequila, orange and pineapple juices, blue curacao liqueur

Saint Fennessy Finisher — $9
Jameson Irish whiskey, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, Starry

Green Beer — $5.75
Michelob Ultra

A costume contest will determine the day’s best dressed, so participants are encouraged to come wearing their best St. Patrick’s Day attire. To enter the costume contest, participants can stop by our photo backdrop at Skyline Social & Games on race morning.

Best Overall: $75 Tortoise & Hare Footwear Gift Card
Best Group: $100 Skyline Social & Games Gift Card
Best Kids: $20 Skyline Social & Games Gift Card (2 winners chosen)

Free parking for participants, volunteers, and spectators will be available in the Skyline Social & Games and Marcus Lakes Cinema parking lots. On event day, Stebner Road will be closed between West Arrowhead Road and Village Drive from 9:15-11:45 a.m., and West Arrowhead Road will be closed between Stebner Road and Lavaque Road from 9:30-11:30 a.m.