Sports
National Learn to Row Day 2026
Duluth Rowing Club presents hosts this opportunity to check out its facility, try rowing on a rowing machine and/or give rowing on the water a shot.
Thunderbird Warrior Challenge 2026
The second annual Thunderbird Warrior Challenge in Bayfield is Wisconsin’s northernmost trail run and the only run with views of the Apostle Islands. The event features 50k, 25k and 10k trail run options and a 5k run with obstacles. There are also games, entertainment and activities throughout the day.
The run courses feature a mix of rolling trails, technical singletrack and panoramic vistas of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands. Runners explore diverse terrains, including old-growth maple stands and sandy pine forests, with challenging climbs and descents through glacial topography. Notable highlights include passing the historic Nourse Sugarbush State Natural Area and taking in views from Mt. Ashwabay.
The challenge kicks off at 6 a.m. with the 50k trail run, followed by the 25k and 10k races at 8 a.m., and a 5K fun run and obstacle course at 9 a.m.
This event is also a chance to honor veterans and first responders, with discounts for those groups and free entry for active-duty military personnel.
All proceeds from the event benefit Camp Benesi and Mt. Ashwabay Outdoor Recreation Area.
Camp Benesi is a nonprofit recreational getaway for veterans and Gold Star families who are grieving loss or dealing with the effects of military service. Created in honor of MSGT. Jonathan J. Dunbar, who was killed in action in 2018, Camp Benesi’s mission is to provide a safe and peaceful retreat for its guests to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities and connect with others who share similar experiences. It offers free lodging, meals and activities at no cost to its guests.
Mt. Ashwabay is a nonprofit ski and recreation area dedicated to promoting outdoor activities and community engagement throughout the greater Chequamegon Bay area.
On-site (primitive) camping is available for those looking to immerse themselves in the event and the beautiful natural surroundings.
High School Volleyball Leagues Begin
The summer season of co-ed high school volleyball leagues at Skyline Social & Games runs from early June through mid-August, with games on Sunday nights.
Details and registration information are at skylinesocialandgames.com.
There are more than 600 teams playing weekly during Skyline’s outdoor summer leagues. Weeknight adult league options include volleyball, bocce ball and cornhole.
Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
The Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games is coming to Duluth. As part of the first coast-to-coast Torch Run in USA Games history, Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers are carring the Flame of Hope side-by-side through communities across the country on the road to Minnesota and the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
Community members are invited to Duluth City Hall to attend and celebrate inclusion while cheering on local torch bearers during this historic journey, which spans approximately 10,000 miles across 13 states before culminating at the Opening Ceremony in Minneapolis on June 20.
Visit 2026usagames.org to track the Flame of Hope and to learn more event details and updates.
Grandma’s Marathon 2026
The 50th annual Grandma’s Marathon is a 26.2-mile race on scenic Highway 61 along the north shore of Lake Superior. It begins just outside of Two Harbors and finishes in Duluth’s Canal Park.
The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon begins at 6:15 a.m. on the edge of Duluth’s city limits and follows the regular marathon course through the heart of Duluth.
The full marathon starts at 7:45 a.m. The winner should cross the finish line around 10 a.m.
Park Point 5-Miler and 2-Mile Walk 2026
The 55th annual Park Point 5-Miler starts near the Park Point Pavilion. Participants run down Minnesota Avenue before finishing back near the pavilion. They have the choice of a 5-mile run or a 2-mile walk.
This is the last of three races in the annual KP Challenge, in which participants commit to three races throughout the spring and summer. The others are the Saint Fennessy 4K and Fitger’s 5K. The aim of the challenge is to help participants keep on a regular training schedule and consistently complete longer distance races. Net proceeds benefit the Young Athletes Foundation, a Grandma’s Marathon program focused on the promotion and development of youth athletics.
In celebration of its 50th year, Grandma’s Marathon is offering free entries for those ages 18 and under to each of the five Young Athletes Foundation races in 2026.
Adult Entry Fee Scale
Jan. 1 to May 15 – $20
May 16 to June 30 – $30
July 1 to race day – $40
Register at raceroster.com.
Yellowjacket Alumni and Friends Golf Outing
The 39th annual Yellowjacket Alumni and Friends Golf Outing features four-person teams competing on the course to support Yellowjacket athletics.
Registration is available online at cashnet.com. In-person registration opens at 10:30 a.m., prior to the a noon shotgun start. The cost to enter a team is $500, which includes green fees, two carts per team, proximity prizes, a participant gift and food vouchers.
Maxton Gudowski 5k Memorial Run/Walk
This year, all proceeds from online race registration will go to Cooper Community Care, a nonprofit organization based in Superior and dedicated to reducing the impact of poverty on local families and ensuring a more equitable education for all children in the community. There will also be a raffle on the day of the race, with proceeds going to Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center.
Duluth Area Chamber Golf Classic 2026
The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce’s 57th annual Golf Classic is the city’s largest business-to-business golf tournament.
Golf starts at 7 a.m.; after-party runs from 3 to 7 p.m.
Register at duluthchamber.com.