Construction on the Interstate 94 (I94) bridge between Minnesota and Wisconsin this summer makes the walkway inaccessible throughout the season.

Unfortunately, this impacts all distances of the Gopher to Badger Half Marathon on August 8, as the race begins in Minnesota and uses the walkway to cross the St. Croix River to the finish in Hudson, WI.

Despite collaborating with the Wisconsin Department of Transporatation (WisDOT) to work out a solution and our efforts to find an alternate course that still includes the river-crossing feature, no alternate routes for all distances are available starting in Minnesota and ending in downtown Hudson, WI.

The race will occur on August 8 as planned with all the energy and excitement you’d expect! Run Stillwater, Inc. is also offering runners who signed up for the 2026 Gopher to Badger race on or before April 18, 2026 the opportunity to transfer or defer their race entry due to the impact of this change. If you registered on or before April 18 and would like to transfer or defer your 2026 Gopher to Badger race sign-up, first find your original confirmation email. You’ll need some details contained in the email to take the next step. Of course, we hope you’ll join us on August 8 as planned, in which case you need do nothing!

Please know this is a one-time offer pertaining to the 2026 Gopher to Badger race only. Race registration is not refundable or transferrable to another race or another participant. In addition, race organizers reserve the right to alter courses at our discretion. All runners registered on or before April 18 were sent an email with information about this change and the options available to them.

Options include the following:

1. You may keep your registration as-is and join us on August 8.

What you need to do: Nothing. You are already registered and set for the race.

2. You may transfer your race registration to any other 2026 Run Stillwater race.

What you need to do: Fill out the form HERE by May 15, 2026, to indicate your preference. Your registration will be moved to the race of your choice and you’ll receive an updated confirmation email showing the change.

3. You may defer your race registration to any race in 2027.

What you need to do: Fill out the form HERE by May 15, 2026, to indicate your preference. Your registration will be placed On Hold in our system and flagged for deferral. This fall, you’ll receive a code enabling you to register for the race of your choice in 2027.

The race will occur on August 8 as planned. Because of the road construction, it will be based entirely in Minnesota with all distances loop courses based at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Lake Elmo, MN; the traditional start location of the Half Marathon.

All distances are still offered – Half, 10K and 5K – and will be USA Track & Field sanctioned and certified. Routes for each distance are still being worked out and will be communicated as soon as they are available.

The Fairgrounds offers easy access from major highways and ample parking for runners and spectators. Start locations will be positioned within the grounds and all distances will share a common finish line.

Course maps will be available as soon as possible. Please watch the website and email updates for details. All distances will be U.S.A. Track & Field certified and sanctioned.

The 2026 routes are loop courses starting and ending at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Lake Elmo. We are in the early stages of certifying and sanctioning these routes with USATF.  Once we have a “thumbs up” on our plans, course maps will be immediately available on the Course Maps page for the Gopher to Badger Half.

Despite our best efforts to stay informed of future roadwork impacting all Run Stillwater’s races, specific construction schedules are not always available and can change without notification.

We were made aware earlier this month of the impact this has on the Gopher to Badger race. Since that time, we’ve been collaborating with WisDOT in hopes of coordinating completion of the walkway in time for the race, looking at alternate routes and logistics to find a solution for this season.

There are no other river crossings that provide the distances needed and allow the race to start in Minnesota and end in downtown Hudson, WI. The good news is Run Stillwater already has a race crossing the river using the St. Croix Crossing Bridge near Stillwater on Saturday, July 25, which is two weeks before the Gopher to Badger Half Marathon. If your intent in running the Gopher to Badger Half Marathon is to run a race that crosses state lines, we encourage you to transfer your race registration to the July 25 event.

Our administrative staff will make the change in our system and send an updated email confirmation to the email address provided. Please watch for this to come from info@runstillwater.com within 2-3 weeks after submitting your transfer request.

Registration for 2027 will open in October 2026. At that time, you’ll receive a unique, one-time-use code via email along with instructions enabling you to register for the race of your choice in 2027.

Please contact us via email with any additional questions you may have.

Starting in the Stillwater, Minnesota area and finishing in Hudson, Wisc., runners cross the I-94 bridge over the St. Croix river, and battle for the lead and the honor of bringing home the win for their state. Come for the spirit of friendly competition. Stay for the fun and atmosphere in Hudson after the race.

Runners Receive:

• A great race experience with a choice of three distances, all on USA Track & Field (USATF) certified and sanctioned courses
• Gender-specific, premium quality cotton blend shirt NOTE: Will Call and In-person registrants receive their race shirts after the event at packet pick-up (if your size is available) or in the mail following the event.
• Collectible medals to all finishers – each year Run Stillwater medals fit together as a set to commemorate your season
• Personalized race bibs up to 10 characters (Deadlines apply. See Race Pricing Schedule for details)
• Timing by Mtec Results (Half, 10K, 5K) – a leader in race timing technologies and based in the Twin Cities
• Participant tracking using the Run Stillwater app. Download in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. Track and easily share participant performance, see current and projected runner locations, view chip and gun times, get real-time results including overall and division place, and more
• Bag drop at each start location with bags provided at the starts (clear, 15″ x 18″ with drawstring)
• Pacers for half marathon runners
• Staffed water stations to serve and cheer you on with water and Gatorade available (Most race-day support staff is provided as part of Run Stillwater’s Volunteer for Donation program. Learn more HERE.)
• Restroom facilities at each start and at approximately two-mile intervals along the courses
• Finish line recovery food and beverages – fruit, salty snacks, Gatorade, and Cub Foods brand bottled water
• Selfie clock at the finish showing your name and time
• Video finish accessible along with results at mtecresults.com
• Free photos available to download on Mtec Results and the Run Stillwater Facebook page
• Shower facilities available at River Valley Athletic Club after the race for all registered runners – show your bib and bring your own towel
• Keepsake age group awards – personalized with name, date, time, distance and division – for top three finishers in each age group (based on 5-year increments) are mailed to winners after the event
• A Buy-One/Get-One at Lift Bridge Brewing for a cold beer or beverage! Redeemable at Lift Bridge Brewing Company tap rooms in Stillwater and New Richmond

… and more

Online Registration – Available online throughout the season until midnight Wednesday preceding race day. Ensures your bib number and race shirt in the size you requested are ready and waiting for you at Packet Pickup.

Will Call – Available online from midnight Wednesday until Friday at noon preceding race day. Your bib number is assigned before Packet Pickup opens. You’ll look it up when you arrive and proceed to the Will Call table. Will Call registrants receive their shirts after the race.

In-person – Sign up in-person at Packet Pickup (credit, cash, checks accepted). Your bib number is then assigned and your shirt is waiting for you after the race.

Packet Pick-up and In-person Registration:

Friday, August 8 – NEW LOCATION
3:00 – 8:00 p.m. (Highly Recommended)
Public Lands Woodbury store location
9160 Hudson Rd.
Woodbury, MN 55125

Saturday, August 9
Beginning at 5:20 a.m.
St. Croix County Government Center
Across Carmichael Rd. from Grandview Park
(Tent in the southeast corner of the parking area)
1101 Carmichael Rd
Hudson, WI 54016

NOTE: Runners will be sent an email Thursday, August 7 with your bib number information. Remember this number. You will need it to pick up your packet.

Directions:

Directions to the parking area in Hudson are HERE.

Parking:

Ample parking is available at Grandview Park 908 Carmichael Rd, Hudson, and overflow at Hudson Schools north of the park. This MAP will help you. Parking at Prairie View Center shopping mall south of the park is for mall patrons ONLY.

Race Day:
Shuttles to the Starts and from the Finish

Shuttles to the start lines leave from Grandview Park. On race-day, packet pickup and shuttles will only be provided from this location.

After the race
After the race,  continuous shuttle service will go from the finish line area in Lakefront Park, back to Grandview Park. Buses board on 1st St. close to the finish area in Lakefront Park. Shuttles to Grandview run throughout the morning. Spectators are free to park downtown.

Race Day Information

Runners are sent an email Thursday before the race from Mtec Results with their assigned bib number and other race information. Bib numbers can also be looked up at packet pickup. In the meantime, please see the Race Info page for answers to the most frequently asked questions.

On race day, runners take a shuttle marked with your distance to the start locations. Shuttles begin at 5:25 a.m. The last shuttles to the starts leave the Grandview Park area at 6:30 SHARP to be sure all athletes are ready for the 7:00 a.m. start.

Join us August 8 for the Kids Fun Run at the Gopher to Badger Half Marathon!

• Entry fee, $21 per child
• Kids 10 and under, limited space available – sign up online before race day
• Kids get a bib number (not timed), a finisher medal with ribbon, finisher refreshments, a photo opportunity!
• Cross the official finish line!
• Approximately .3 miles within Lakefront Park – no streets or traffic
• Adults may run along with a child (one adult per child, please)

Race Day Schedule

• 9:00 a.m. – Bib pick-up and in-person sign up available in the park
• 10:40 a.m. – Gather to walk to the start line
• 11:00 a.m. – Start time