Going Bananas Run - Duluth

The Going Bananas Run Duluth is a charity fun run that brings hundreds of participants together for a one-of-a-kind race experience in Duluth, Minnesota. Every registered participant receives a banana suit to wear during the event, turning the course into a sea of running, jogging, and walking bananas. The event is designed for all ages and abilities, with participants welcome to race competitively, jog with friends, walk the course, or simply enjoy the experience. The goal is to create an approachable community event that combines physical activity, entertainment, and charitable giving.

The signature feature of the Going Bananas Run is the Gorilla Challenge. All banana-suited participants start the race together and receive a two-minute head start. Two minutes later, “The Gorilla” is released onto the course and begins chasing the field. Participants who reach the finish line before the Gorilla earn a special “I Beat the Gorilla” finisher prize. The challenge also has a charitable component, with the performance of participants helping generate additional donations for a local nonprofit organization. You do not need to beat the Gorilla to participate or complete the event. The Gorilla Challenge is an optional part of the fun, and every registered banana is encouraged to finish at their own pace.

Registration includes entry into the Going Bananas Run Duluth, a banana suit for the participant to wear and keep, participation in the Gorilla Challenge, and access to the race-day festivities. The event takes place in Duluth and features an approximately two-mile course, making it accessible for runners and walkers of a wide range of experience levels. Participants gather before the race for check-in and packet pickup before lining up for the mass banana start. Following the run, participants return to the event area for post-race activities, recognition, food and beverages, sponsor activities, and the opportunity to celebrate with hundreds of fellow bananas. Because the event is centered around participation rather than traditional racing, the emphasis is on having fun, getting active, and supporting the community.

The Going Bananas Run began in Duluth with more than 430 participants in its inaugural year and has continued to grow into a major community fun run. In its second year, the event is setting a goal of bringing together more than 1,000 bananas while increasing the amount of money raised for charity. The event supports a local charitable organization, with a focus on helping people in the community and using the race itself to generate additional giving. Participants are encouraged to register early, invite friends and family, and come prepared to experience one of Duluth’s most unusual running events. Whether your goal is to beat the Gorilla, complete the course with friends, support a local cause, or simply say you once ran through Duluth dressed as a banana, everyone has a place at the Going Bananas Run.