Sep 27, 2025
9:00 AM
Trail
$40 – $55
Nerstrand
100-500
Some Hills
Park Run
Runners get the chance to trek through the wooded, tree-lined dirt and gravel trails of southern Minnesota’s Nerstrand Big Woods State Park at the Big Woods Run, a fall race that draws several hundred runners out for each year’s half-marathon, 10K, 5K and 1-mile Kids Run.
The location for the race as well as the time of year promise a cool-weather run, and its proximity to nearby Minneapolis (the park lies about 45 miles south of the city) means it’s not a difficult race to get to.
The terrain for the half-marathon course is hilly and challenging, race organizers say, while the 5K and 10K courses are generally flatter and easier.
The scenery is a big part of the attraction for the race as well — autumn is one of the peak seasons in the 2,882-acre park, as the turning of the leaves in this forest of sugar maple, basswood, elm, green ash and other tree varieties bring vivid reds, oranges and yellows to life.
St. John’s Church on Jacobs Avenue (just south of the entrance to the park) is the starting line for all races, which begin at 9:00 AM (for the half-marathon, 10K and 5K runners) and 10:30 AM for the children running in the 1-mile Kids Fun Run.
Half Marathon Guide is the largest calendar and educational resource in the world for half marathon runners and enthusiasts with over 10,000,000 annual visitors.
Let others know what makes this race so special.
