Elite runner Des Linden will be running the Cherry Kids Fun Run at the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City!
Registration is open for the National Cherry Festival’s Cherry Kids Fun Run presented by Traverse City Track Club and Lake Michigan Credit Union on “Mile Night” July 5. The event will be highlighted by the appearance of elite runner Des Linden. Registration for all Cherry Mile events (including the Kids Fun Run, Open, and Invite) are online here.
Des Linden is a two-time U.S. Olympic Marathon runner, and most recently, the women’s winner of the 2018 Boston Marathon. Linden’s Boston win this past April sealed her status as one of the greatest U.S. Marathon runners of all time. Linden will greet the kids, run the course, and hand out awards at the finish.
The Cherry Kids Fun Run is now in its eighth year and welcomes up to 700 elementary aged and younger runners. Participants run (6 p.m.) the closed streets of Downtown Traverse City prior to the start of the Touchstone Energy Junior Royale Parade. The $10 registration fee includes a participant shirt, finisher award and a popsicle.
In addition, through the Traverse City Track Club’s newly announced “Healthy School—Run to Fitness” initiative, area elementary schools in the five counties of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau are eligible to receive $250 physical education grants for highest student participation in the fun run.
Just prior to the Cherry Kids Fun Run, the Cherry Mile Elite races will take place starting at 4:45 p.m., featuring invited male and female elite runners from across the nation. The area’s top high school milers will also race, followed by an open mile for citizen runners who register ahead.
For more information on the Cherry Kids Fun Run and The Cherry Mile races, please visit www.cherryfestival.org.
—Press release provided by National Cherry Festival