Mankato Marathon · October 17, 2026

40 Years13.1 MilesZero Hungry Kids

Dr. Jen is turning 40 and running 13.1 miles to keep Mankato-area kids fed on the weekends. Her birthday wish: full backpacks and bellies.

ZeroHungryKids

That's the real finish line. Every Friday, the BackPack Food Program sends Mankato-area kids home with food for the weekend. Dr. Jen is running so no child in our community starts Monday hungry.

Why she's running

A 40th with a purpose

Dr. Jen, Matt, Hudson and Henna smiling together outdoors in the Black Hills
Dr. Jen, Matt, Hudson & Henna

This year I'm turning 40. Instead of a big party, I decided to celebrate with something that challenges me and helps others: I'm running the Mankato Half Marathon.

I appreciate all my friends, old and new, who have cheered me on this summer. You've given me strength I didn't know I had, and these friendships mean so much to me.

I'm running to raise money for the BackPack Food Program. It sends children home with food for the weekend, when school meals aren't available, so no child goes hungry. It's a cause close to our hearts, and I can't think of a better way to mark this milestone.

The best birthday gift I could ask for is knowing that kids in our community will have full backpacks and full bellies.

Jen, Matt, Hudson & Henna

The goals

Two finish lines

Dr. Jen's goal $500

Her original birthday wish for the BackPack Food Program.

Stretch goal · 40 for 40 $4,000

If 100 friends each give $40, one for every year, we get there. $13.10 for the miles works too.

Race weekend

The whole family is running

16Friday, Oct
  • 5KDr. Jen, Matt and Hudson
  • 1KHenna in the kids' race
17Saturday, Oct
  • 13.1Dr. Jen runs the Mankato Half Marathon
  • 40Birthday finish line. Come cheer along the course.

Where your gift goes

Feeding Our Communities Partners

The BackPack Food Program is run by Feeding Our Communities Partners (FOCP), a North Mankato nonprofit that fights youth hunger. Elementary students take home a backpack of food each Friday, so the weekend doesn't mean going without.

FOCP also runs Power Packs for middle schoolers, high school pantries and Summer Packs, all aimed at the same goal: kids who can focus in class because they're not hungry.

30+schools served
9school districts
PreK–12students reached