Thumbs Up 5K and 10K - 10th Annual

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2023!

Thank you to our Title Sponsors First Bank Elk River and HealthPartners, for supporting our 10th Annual Event!

Friday, September 15, 2023

• 4-7 pm – Early T-shirt & Packet Pick Up – Lake Orono Park
• Address: 18599 Gary Street, Elk River, MN 55330
• Grumpy's Mini Donuts
• Chalk Party! Help us Chalk the Walk with positive messages and remembrance of our loved ones! (chalk provided)

Saturday, September 16, 2023

• 7:00 am – Packet Pickup & Same-Day Registration
• 9:00 am – Opening Ceremony & Keynote Speaker
• 10:00 am - Races Begin
  • 10:00 am - 5K & 10K Bike
  • 10:05 am - 5K & 10K Run
  • 10:10 am - 5K Walk
• 11:00 am - Other Festivities & Food Trucks
• 12:00pm - TikTok Dance Party
• 2:00pm - End of event

Directions & Parking Information

• Event Location: Lake Orono Park – 18599 Gary Street, Elk River, MN 55330
• Please plan on parking at the Sherburne County Fairground Parking Lot: 18335 Joplin St NW, Elk River, MN 55330
• Parking is free/no-charge
• Please try to carpool if you are able!

Kids Activities

• Kids Obstacle Course (Kids ages 12 & under) - Children two & under are free
• Bounce Houses (separate for preschool age)
• Crazy Hair by The Hair Studios
• Face Painting
• Kindness Rocks by Plaisted Companies
• Mindfulness by Ms. Liz
• Balloon Animals by Son-Light Balloon Entertainment
• Playground area
• Splash Pad (weather dependent)
• Skate Park

Food & Beverages

• Food Trucks Available On-Site: Batter Up, Smokin' Joe's BBQ, Adventure Bowls, and Mama's Taco Truck
• Complimentary coffee from Dunn Brothers Elk River
• Water Stations along the route presented by LIFT PT. the U14 & U15 Girls Softball Team and Target Corporation

Other Information

• Must register by Thursday, August 31, 2023, to be guaranteed a race participant t-shirt with your registration fee
• Bring a photo of your loved one for the Memory Tree
• Grief Support Tent & Memorial Area
• Mental Health & Wellness Vendors will be On-Site
• Dress for the weather
• Pets are welcome (Please clean up after them!)

THE THUMBS UP MOVEMENT

THUMBS UP was founded in 2014 by several community members in honor of two great men, Bob Schmit and Chuck Dahlheimer, who, like many others, took their lives after living in silence from a mental illness. THUMBS UP is all about EMBRACING those struggling and breaking the stigma around mental health, connecting, supporting, and encouraging one another to talk about their feelings and challenges and to "KEEP MOVING FORWARD." We are dedicated to educating and teaching about mental illness, the warning signs of suicide, what you can do to help others who struggle, and community awareness initiatives. So let's UNITE to help others to KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

MISSION STATEMENT

"Bringing awareness to mental health and providing support and resources to all."

MISSION

• Help promote wellness and positive living for people through awareness and early education programs.
• Encourage people to be open, engage in conversation, and be vulnerable.
• Connect people to support services in the area.
• Create a movement with a brand that makes mental health relatable; people can build a relationship with it.

HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE OUR MISSION?

Kickstart meaningful conversations through our THUMBS UP apparel. Encourage social connectedness via our community fundraising events. Drive awareness with carefully selected relationships with individuals and organizations. Inform, educate, and teach coping skills to those who struggle with a mental illness.

HOW CAN YOU JOIN THE THUMBS UP MOVEMENT?

By buying apparel, you can help break the stigma and start the conversation. Shop Now

Alternatively, by donating THUMBS UP you are helping us support our mission and vision. You can make a fully tax-deductible donation right now by clicking here.

#KEEPMOVINGFORWARD