SEPTEMBER 7, 2025

USATF MN Half Marathon Championship

Run the scenic parkways around Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska!

An anchor in the Twin Cities running community, the Jeff Winter City of Lakes Half Marathon has been bringing together people who love running for over 60 years. Circling Lakes Harriet and Bde Maka Ska in South Minneapolis – the course offers striking views for both runners and spectators.

RACE DETAILS

Start

8:00 AM Sharp! Race Start Line will be at Beard's Plaisance, which is just south of 45th Street and the tennis courts. Parking in the area is limited. Please plan accordingly.

Chip Timing

Runners will receive net times as well as clock times.

Time Limit

There is a time limit of 3:30 (16:02 pace)

Splits

The City of Lakes Half Marathon is USATF certified. There is a USATF certified 10 Mile Split.

Photos

Any photos taken of you on race day will be available for download for free within a few hours after the race. Make sure your bib number is easily visible so we can identify you.

Pacers

We have pacers to help you reach your goal time. The goal finishing times are 1:30, 1;40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:45, and 3:00.

City of Lakes Gear

2025 Designs coming soon!

Opening Gift: Register by May 1 and receive a special City of Lakes Boco Hat!

Finisher Pint Glass: All participants will receive the traditional City of Lakes pint glass after the finish of the race.

Hoodies and Long-Sleeve Shirts designs coming soon!

We discontinued race medals after 2019 to create less waste and keep race pricing low.

Course Map >>

Aid Stations

Hydration will be available at least every 5K.

Award Poster

Age Groups -19 & Under, 20 - 29, 30 - 34, 35 - 39, 40 - 44, 45 - 49, 50 - 54, 55 - 59, 60 - 64, 65 - 69, 70-74, 75 - 79, 80 - 84, 85 - 90. The top two F & M in each age group will be awarded the much coveted Annual City of Lakes Poster.

Prize Money

Top 3 - Men, Women & Non-Binary

1st - $300
2nd - $200
3rd - $100

$100 cash for any new Minnesota single-age record in the half marathon. All awards are based on Gun Time and follow the USATF rules of competition.

USATF Team Circuit Prize Money awarded by USATF MN

Run Minnesota awards prize money to the highest rank and does not duplicate awards (i.e. no double dipping). First, overall awards are given, then masters, and then AG awards with no awardee duplicated.

Elite Athletes

Complementary entries into the race are limited to the top three finishers from the previous year. Contact the race director here for elite entry.

Bib Pickup

EARLY PICK UP

Fleet Feet Marathon Sports, 2312 W 50th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410. Please check their website for hours.

RACE DAY

Look for us near the tennis courts at Beard's Plaisance, near 44th and Lake Harriet Parkway West.

Race Day Parking

Carpooling is highly encouraged! There will not be parking at Beard Plaisance or at the Lake Harriet pay lot. The Lyndale Park Rose Garden has a pay lot with limited parking available (60 spaces), 1 mile from the start and .5 miles from the finish. There is on-street parking available in locations in the Linden Hills and East Harriet Neighborhoods. Please read parking signs carefully to ensure you are in a valid spot.

REGISTRATION

The field is limited to 1,500 entrants.

2025 Pricing

*Please carefully read our refund policy below before registering for this race*

Join Run Minnesota - Get $10 off City of Lakes

Tier 1

Early Registration - Sept 9 - 15, 2024

$70

Tier 2

Regular Registration - Dec. 31, 2024 - April 30, 2025

$80

Tier 3

Last Minute Registration - May 1, 2025 - Sell Out

$90

REGISTRATION AND REFUND POLICY

Entry fees are not refundable under any circumstance. By registering for this event, you acknowledge acceptance of this policy.

Entry fees collected are used to develop and produce our events, starting well before the race date. These include insurance, course preparation, race supplies, permits, staffing, and event administration. We will make every effort to produce a fair and safe event for all participants. Any decision that impacts the race date or potential cancellation is carefully considered and based on the overall event safety, sustainability, and manageability.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Run Minnesota reserves the right to modify or cancel our races AT ANY TIME - for safety concerns, natural disasters, and other force majeure causes. In such cases, there will be no refunds of race entry fees, and there will be no complimentary race entry to a future race. By registering for the race, you acknowledge and accept this risk.

REGISTRATION INSURANCE

Race Roster offers an enhanced refund protection program that is purchasable for participants during the registration process. This refund protection allows participants to request a refund for their registration if they are unable to attend an event for a specific reason. This is not event cancellation insurance. More information can be found here.

TRANSFERS

Run Minnesota understands that unforeseen circumstances can arise and DOES allow the opportunity to officially transfer bib numbers until August 1. If you become injured or are no longer able to join us for the City of Lakes Half Marathon, you may transfer your entry to another person for a $15.00 transaction fee. The transaction fee is to be paid by the person redeeming the transferred entry. Log in to RunSignUp to initiate a transfer.

As a small nonprofit, we do not have the administrative capacity to handle transfer requests made after August 1. There are no exceptions.

Organizer

Run Minnesota is a non-profit, membership-based organization inspired to motivate runners across the North Star State and beyond! Formed in 1961, we are Minnesota's oldest and largest running organization. We are driven to help inspire, support and advocate for all runners because we do, feel, and run our best when we’re together. We’re here for the long run, and we hope you’ll join us.

Retail Partner

Our goal is to help every customer find the right shoes, apparel, and accessories for a variety of specialized fitness needs. By correctly addressing each individual's needs, we can reduce the likelihood of injury and enhance the enjoyment of any personal fitness endeavors. Fleet Feet Minneapolis is committed to all of our customers, whether they’re walkers, runners, or new to the world of exercise. Located at 50th and Penn in Minneapolis.

Bakery Partner

Thank you to Steve and Gail Arnold, longtime Linden Hills residents and owners of the Minneapolis Great Harvest Bakery, for their long history of sponsoring Run Minnesota events!

Great Harvest uses pure, simple ingredients and never adds preservatives. Everything is baked from scratch, onsite, and 100% whole wheat flour is stone-milled right here every day. Great Harvest bread is truly one of a kind. It's simple. Handmade. Wholesome. Tasty. The way bread ought to be!

TRAINING

This Run Minnesota Training program is designed to prepare you for a fun and successful half marathon! Led by certified coaches, our group training program is developed to encourage beginning marathoners while still meeting the needs of the more experienced runners. We emphasize the teamwork aspects of the sport along with the fun and enjoyment that can be provided through running with others.

Learn more about Run Minnesota Training programs

SPRINT TIER

10 week training plan with three milage options
Weekly workout emails

The Sprint Tier is for someone who just wants a training plan to follow. Maybe you’re an individual who wants to train independently or maybe your schedule just doesn’t fit with our scheduled group runs.

TEMPO TIER

Tuesday & Saturday supported group runs in the Twin Cities
10 week training plan with three milage options
Weekly workout emails

The Tempo Tier includes the “Sprint Tier” plus our Tuesday and Saturday group runs with water stops, route planning, coaches, and team lead access. This plan includes a free pizza party on the last Tuesday group run and a complimentary beverage at the end-of-season party.
Half marathon and marathon programs run in conjunction with each other.