Legendary runner Dick Beardsley will return to Detroit Lakes for the 30th annual Dick Beardsley Races on Saturday, September 6. Beardsley is making the weekend special by also speaking at the pre-race pasta feed on Friday, September 5, at the Detroit Lakes Pavilion.
“Every year, we have packets ready for pickup and a pasta dinner,” Beardsley said. “I usually tell a few stories, and sometimes I play my guitar and sing a little.” This year, he will be joined by fellow running legend Bill Rodgers, who will make his third appearance at the event. Rodgers previously attended in 2002 and 2013. “He’s a good friend of mine,” Beardsley said. “He lives in the Boston area, and we’ve stayed really close.”
Beardsley shared that past races often gave participants the chance to “run with the legends,” and Rodgers was both the first and last guest runner until now. To mark the 30th anniversary, Beardsley wanted to bring him back. He also plans to take Rodgers fishing, a tradition from previous visits. Beardsley has been a fishing guide for 52 years and enjoys spending time on the water when he isn’t running trails or helping his wife with her bed-and-breakfast business.
Beyond racing, Beardsley is a motivational speaker and has spoken about his life story, including his running career, serious injuries, addiction to painkillers, recovery, and his best-selling memoir, Staying the Course: A Runner’s Toughest Race. He also opened up about the tragic death of his son, Andy, in 2015. “Andy was quite the kid, everyone in Detroit Lakes knew him,” Beardsley said. The 5K race has since been renamed in Andy’s honor, and Beardsley participates in it regularly.
The Dick Beardsley Races began in 1995 as a local half marathon organized with the help of Mark Fritz and David Bird to promote tourism after the busy summer season. Originally intended as a tune-up for the Twin Cities Marathon, it grew into a larger event featuring multiple distances: a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and youth run. Starting with around 100 runners, the races have attracted over 1,000 participants in recent years. In 2024, 1,053 runners were registered, and the 30th anniversary aims for 3,000 participants.
Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome to take part. The pre-race pasta feed and registration will be held at the Detroit Lakes Pavilion on Friday, September 5, at 6 p.m., costing $20 per person. The half marathon begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, followed by the 10K at 8:15 a.m., the Andy Beardsley 5K at 8:30 a.m., and the Youth Run at 11 a.m. Registration fees start at $17 for the youth run and go up to $100 for the half marathon. Participants can register online at dickbeardsleyraces.com, or spectators are welcome to cheer along the course.
Beardsley promised this year’s participants “top-quality swag,” including shirts for all runners and medals for winners. After the races, a celebration with live music will take place at Detroit Lakes City Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Featured acts include American Mojo, a Tom Petty tribute band; Minnesota alt-country singer Clayton Ryan; Montana-based dance/rock/disco band Desperate Electric; and several surprise guests.
With the return of both Beardsley and Rodgers, the 30th annual races promise to be a memorable celebration of running, community, and perseverance.
