Grinnell Games shirt deadline is this week,
Iowa’s Family Sports Festival just three weeks away
GRINNELL– Online registration is open for the Grinnell Games, which will take place June 16 through 18 this year. Those who register for one of the weekend’s many events by this Friday, May 26, will receive a free technical shirt with their entry. Online registration for the Grinnell Games, presented by Grinnell State Bank, is available at www.grinnellgames.com. Organizers have shaken up the schedule of this year’s Grinnell Games, moving the times of day of the festival’s signature events while also adding new activities to the lineup.
Friday, June 16
This year’s sports festival will kick off with a nighttime Warrior Run on Friday, June 16, at 8 p.m. at Ahrens Park. The popular mud run will be followed by a free movie under the stars, also to take place at Ahrens Park.
Saturday, June 17
Activities are scheduled all day Saturday, June 17, and will be primarily located on the Grinnell College campus in conjunction with the college’s Summerfest activities. Saturday will begin with a brand new Grinnell Games event at 8 a.m. A Sprint Triathlon will begin at the Grinnell College Natatorium, utilize the Grinnell Area Recreational Trail for the bike portion and finish with a run downtown. Individuals and relay teams are invited to participate. The Lil’ Warrior Run, a free obstacle run for kids ages 5 through 12, will take place at 10 a.m. followed by free family field day activities beginning at 11 a.m., both at Grinnell College. A co-ed sand volleyball tournament will also take place on the college campus, with the first games starting at 1 p.m. Saturday’s afternoon schedule includes another event new to this year’s Games: Tour De Grinnell. Families are invited on this scenic bike tour, which will include stops at local businesses and a tour of new art installations. Participants will be treated to snacks at several stops during the tour. Tour De Grinnell begins at 3 p.m. Saturday activities will conclude with the UV Splash Color Dash 5k run event. The night’s brightest 5K will begin at 9:00 p.m. at Grinnell College. The UV Splash is a family-friendly, untimed 5K where runners are doused in colored powder along the course.
Sunday, June 18
The Sunday Grinnell Games schedule gets an overhaul this year, with an entirely new lineup of family-centered activities based at the high school. The morning will begin with a 5K run at 8 a.m. and a pancake breakfast to follow at 8:30 a.m. The new high school tennis courts will play host to a tennis clinic at 8 a.m. followed by a tennis tournament at 9 a.m. Sunday’s schedule will continue with an outdoor church service at 9:30 a.m. and free family field day activities afterward.
Online registration is open for all events at www.grinnellgames.com. All participants registered by Friday, May 26, will receive a free Grinnell Games technical shirt with their entry so organizers encourage people to sign up this week if possible.
Grinnell Games, Iowa’s Family Sports Festival, is a weekend of events designed for all ages and athletic abilities, and draws participants from around Iowa and surrounding states. Grinnell is located in Central Iowa along Interstate 80, equidistant between Des Moines and Iowa City. It's the perfect day trip or weekend getaway for you and your active family.
Volunteers are still needed for the June event. A link to volunteer shifts and duties is posted at grinnellgames.com/general-info for those interested in helping with the event.
Grinnell Games is sponsored by Grinnell State Bank, Ahrens Park Foundation, Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell Sports Authority, Grinnell College, HyVee and Prairie Lakes Church.
For more information about Grinnell Games and to sign up for an event, visit www.grinnellgames.com.