DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KWAD)— One of Minnesota’s most iconic running events is set to mark a milestone. The 30th Annual Dick Beardsley Races return to Detroit Lakes on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, with legendary runner Dick Beardsley himself leading the way — joined by fellow running great and longtime friend, Bill Rodgers.
Rodgers won four Boston Marathons and four New York Marathons between 1976 and 1980.
Beardsley will again participate in the Andy Beardsley Memorial 5K, renamed in 2016 to honor his late son. The half marathon, originally named after Beardsley in 1996, remains a centerpiece of the event, but the longtime marathoner says the 5K is more his speed these days.
The weekend begins Friday, Sept. 5, with a pre-race pasta feed and packet pickup at the Detroit Lakes Pavilion. Beardsley, as he’s done for years, will share stories, and sometimes even music, with runners and fans. Rodgers, a four-time Boston Marathon champion, will also be on hand for the pasta dinner — making his third appearance in Detroit Lakes after visits in 2002 and 2013.
The Dick Beardsley Races began in 1995, when local businessmen pitched the idea of a half marathon to Beardsley as a way to extend Detroit Lakes tourism past the summer season. He agreed — and offered his name. What started with about 100 runners has since grown into a major fall tradition, with over 1,000 participants in 2024 and a goal of 3,000 runners for the 30th anniversary.
Over the years, the races expanded to include the half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a Youth Run. For many years, the event even featured “Run with the Legends,” which brought some of the biggest names in distance running to Detroit Lakes.
The race took on deeper meaning after 2015, when Beardsley’s son Andy died by suicide at age 31, not long after that year’s races. In tribute, organizers renamed the 5K in his honor. Beardsley has run it every year since.
“It still kind of gets to me, but in a good way,” he said of racing in Andy’s honor.
Now living in Bemidji with his wife Jill, Beardsley continues to run, fish, guide, and work as a motivational speaker, sharing stories of his triumphs, struggles with injury and addiction, and the resilience that has defined his life.
The Half Marathon starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, followed by the 10K at 8:15, the Andy Beardsley 5K at 8:30, and the Youth Run at 11 a.m. Registration costs range from $17 for the youth event to $100 for the half marathon. Sign-up is available at dickbeardsleyraces.com.
Runners can look forward to “top-quality swag” this year, Beardsley promised, including participant shirts and “off the charts” winner’s medals.
And the celebration doesn’t end at the finish line. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Detroit Lakes City Park will host live music, featuring American Mojo (a Tom Petty tribute band), Minnesota alt-country artist Clayton Ryan, Montana dance/rock group Desperate Electric, and other surprise guests.
Beardsley says he’s grateful the tradition has endured. “We’re one of the few small towns in the country that’s been able to keep a race like this going for 30 years,” he said. “It’s because of the community — the volunteers, the sponsors, and the runners who come back year after year.”