Aug. 21 – Labor Day, Sept. 1, 2025
242 Days 20 Hours 10 Mins
Milk Run entries are non-refundable and race numbers are non-transferrable.
If you are a registered runner that is unable to participate in the run, please do not give your number to someone else. Your number and timing chip are assigned to you as a competitor in the age category you are eligible to compete in. If someone else runs in your place, their time may affect the results of the race and cause the awards to go to the wrong competitors.
Whether you run the race or not, you can use the admission tickets and coupons that are included in the runner packets that are mailed to registered runners in April.
Absolutely! Family and friends attending the race must enter the fairgrounds on Como Avenue through Gate 9 on the south side of the fairgrounds. They will need an admission ticket to the Kickoff to Summer event for Saturday, May 25 to reach the cheering section. Registered runners will receive more information on purchasing tickets. Once on the fairgrounds, head east on Judson Avenue to reach the start and finish lines.
Participants may walk the course, provided they complete the route in 60 minutes or less.
Yes, click the “Add a runner” button and enter the information for each runner you’d like to register. Information required for each runner’s registration: first and last name, mailing address (this is where the runner packet will be mailed in April and any awards will be mailed after the race, if applicable), phone number, email address, gender and date of birth.
When using the online registration form, you will get a confirmation screen once you’ve clicked the submit button. Confirmation emails will also be sent to the email addresses that you include in the registration form for each runner. When entering by mail, your canceled check will be your confirmation of entry.
After crossing the finish line, head over to Race Headquarters at the International Bazaar, where you can pick up your Milk Run t-shirt and enjoy your breakfast sandwich while mingling with family and friends. While there, visit the Milk Run sponsor booths, check the door prize board to see if you won, grab a selfie with Princess Kay or the State Fair mascots Fairborne and Fairchild, and stick around for the race awards presentation.
The hours for the Kickoff to Summer event on Saturday, May 25 are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. After the awards presentation, you can make your way to the event area, but the activities and food and merchandise vendors won’t be open until 11 a.m. More information about the Kickoff to Summer event is available on the Kickoff to Summer page of the Minnesota State Fair website.
Registered runners will receive a Kickoff to Summer ticket for Saturday, May 25. If you need to use your Kickoff to Summer ticket on a different day, you may contact the MSF Ticket Office at 651-288-4427 or tickets@mnstatefair.org to check for availability. Please keep in mind that if you use your ticket on a different day, you will need to purchase a ticket to get to the starting line to participate in the race.
Bag check will not be available at the Kickoff event. If you plan to take your racewear back to your car before enjoying the Kickoff event, please be sure to exit the fairgrounds via Gate 9 and request a handstamp to return later in the day.
Just like the Kickoff to Summer event, the Milk Run happens rain or shine.
As the Milk Run and the State Fair have evolved and grown over the years, resources during the fair are stretched too thin to ensure the safety of the runners as well as the safety of fair guests. To ensure the safety of all, the difficult decision has been made to no longer hold the race during the State Fair. By hosting the race outside of State Fair dates, we designed a 5K course that is entirely contained within the fairgrounds, winding its way amongst the iconic buildings, creating a truly unique race experience. This new version of the Milk Run will continue to bring us all together to celebrate each other in the safest way possible.
