For Immediate Release – March 18, 2025
Duluth, Minnesota – The NorthShore Inline Marathon is excited to announce a new event happening June 7th, 2025 in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Neighborhood. The Going Banana’s Run is a first-of-its-kind event where participants receive a banana suit and run to raise money for a good cause. This comes with a catch. After 2 minutes the race releases their “Gorilla” which is their inside man dressed in a gorilla costume. If the bananas can beat the gorilla in the race, a part of their race proceeds gets donated to Project Joy, a local charity run by Olympic Curler (Chris Plys).
Project Organizers had this to say about the event “This has been an event four years in the making” Stated Andrew event creator. “We are extremely excited to partner with great organizations like Bent Paddle Brewing Co., Project Joy, Chilly Billy’s, Minnesota Power, and Finden Marketing to help make this event a success in it’s first year. If you are looking for a weird “Duluthy” event, then the Going Bananas Run should be on your list.
About the Duluth Fun Run:
The Going Bananas Run is a 2 Mile Costume Fun Run happening in Duluth on June 7th, 2025 where each contestant receives a banana suit to wear on race day. The event begins with a mass start and all bananas taking off on our Lincoln Park course. After 2 minutes “The Gorilla” is released. “The Gorilla” is our inside man who is dressed up in a gorilla costume and their only goal is to chase bananas. If runners can beat “The Gorilla” they are deemed champions and a portion of their race entry is donated to Project Joy which raises funds to help with food insecurity with children across the Northland. Post race all racers are welcome to the after party where Bent Paddle with be offering $4 beers to all racers with $1 going towards Project Joy, Chilly Billy’s will have free banana-flavored frozen yogurt, and much more.
Register Here: www.goingbananasrun.com
Going Banana Run Details:
Race Date: June 7th, 2025 (Starting at 10:30am)
Location: Lincoln Park, Duluth Minnesota
Organizer: NorthShore Inline Marathon
Price:
Early Bird Rate - $40 until March 30th
General Rate - $45 until May 30th
Late Rate - $55 until race day
Charity Partner: Project Joy
Other Partners: Bent Paddle, Finden Marketing, Chilly Billy’s Frozen Yogurt
What Racers Will Receive:
We are excited to partner with a ton of great businesses for the first Going Bananas Run. After registering each participant receives the following
Free Banana Suit that they can keep forever
Free Banana Flavor Frozen Yogurt From Chilly Billy’s
Free Bananas from our friends at SuperOne
Post race all racers are welcome to the after party where Bent Paddle with be offering $4 beers to all racers with $1 going towards Project Joy
If you beat the Gorilla
A “I beat the gorilla custom pin”
The Joy of beating a guy in a gorilla costume
Goals for 2025
The overall goal of 2025 is the following:
600 to 1,000 participants
$3,000+ donated to Project Joy
A lot of confused tourists are wondering why hundreds of bananas are roaming around Lincoln Park.
Join the fun www.goingbananasrun.com
About the NorthShore Inline Marathon:
The NorthShore Inline Marathon (NSIM) is the largest point to point inline marathon in the world and most the iconic inline skating race in North America, held annually along the stunning shores of Lake Superior. Since its founding in 1996, NSIM has become a premier event for skaters of all levels, from elite racers to first-time participants, offering a world-class racing experience on one of the smoothest and most scenic courses in the world.
The signature 26.2-mile marathon course follows the same breathtaking route as Grandma’s Marathon, stretching along Highway 61 from Two Harbors to Duluth, where skaters finish under the historic William A. Irvin ship. NSIM also hosts additional events, including the half marathon, combined marathon & half, and rollerski races, making it a festival of movement and community.
Learn more: northshoreinline.com
About Our Race Partners:
Project Joy:
Project Joy is a Duluth-based nonprofit organization dedicated to combating childhood hunger in the Northland. Established in memory of Patrick Plys, who inspired others by choosing joy even during his battle with brain cancer, the organization continues his legacy of community service. Through various fundraising efforts, including events like the 'Channel Your Flannel' fundraiser at the Duluth Curling Club, Project Joy raises awareness and funds to support local food programs. Notably, they have partnered with organizations such as the Union Gospel Mission, helping aid summer food initiatives for children. By engaging the community and collaborating with local businesses, Project Joy strives to ensure that no child in the region goes hungry.
Bent Paddle
Bent Paddle Brewing Co. - A 30-barrel production craft beverage brewery with a vibrant family-friendly taproom located in the Lincoln Park Craft District of Duluth, Minnesota. Bent Paddle Brewing Co. makes quality craft beer & ▲9 THC hemp beverages using Lake Superior water. Its mission is to brew craft beverages with a concentration on sustainability for its business, employees, the environment, and the greater community – all while ‘Bending the Traditions’ that it encounters, for a more unique and interesting craft beverage experience.
Chilly Billy’s Frozen Yogurt
Chilly Billy's is a beloved establishment in Duluth, Minnesota, offering a delightful combination of hearty breakfasts, satisfying lunches, and a self-serve frozen yogurt experience. In March 2024, they relocated to 1608 Woodland Avenue, expanding their menu to include breakfast classics, acai bowls, and a 'top your own' pancake bar, available from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The frozen yogurt section operates daily from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., featuring 10 rotating flavors and over 40 toppings, allowing for countless personalized combinations. Chilly Billy's also opened a third location in Superior, Wisconsin, further extending their reach in the region.
Finden Marketing
Finden Marketing is an award-winning digital marketing agency based in Duluth, Minnesota, specializing in full-stack marketing services. Their offerings include branding, website design, content creation, social media management, and paid media strategies. Known for their personalized approach, Finden Marketing serves as a cost-effective alternative to building an in-house marketing team, delivering impactful results for businesses of all sizes. Their commitment to understanding each client's unique industry needs has earned them numerous accolades and a reputation for excellence.
Minnesota Power - An Allete Company
Minnesota Power, a division of ALLETE, Inc., is a Duluth-based utility company that provides electricity to northeastern Minnesota. Serving approximately 145,000 customers, including residential, commercial, and industrial clients, Minnesota Power is a key energy provider in the region. The company has made significant strides in renewable energy, with investments in wind, hydro, and solar power, as part of its EnergyForward initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions and increasing sustainability. With a commitment to reliable service and environmental stewardship, Minnesota Power plays a crucial role in powering homes, businesses, and industries across its service area.
For more information about the Going Bananas Run check out the website at:
Follow our Social Media to see updates on the fun run:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goingbananasrun/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goingbananasrun
A special thanks to Bent Paddle & Chilly Billy’s for creating a sweet treat for this race: