Northern Lights 5k COLOR Glow Run

Join us on Friday September 25, 2026 for a 5K glow run -- Run, walk, skip, or hop at your own pace and join us for our annual fundraiser. We greatly appreciate your continued support of our important cause providing mental health programming in the Ely area!

Prices: $30 for adults, $20 for students, and $10 for youth.

All registered participants will receive a glow giveaway item to wear at the race.

Shirts will be available for purchase on Friday during registration and packet pickup.
$22.00 a piece available in sizes S-XL. Limited quantities.

NEW FOR 2026-1st Annual GLOW FEST will take place before the 5k.

Glow-Fest is a family-friendly start and finish line festival with food trucks, kids activities and
live music from 4-7 pm at the Ely Community HUB (760 Miners Drive).
The Glow Run and Fest provides support for the services and mission of Northern Lights
Clubhouse, which provides opportunities for adults living with challenges of all types to build
community, develop meaningful relationships, and pursue recovery through work, education, and
wellness programming.
“We want to continue an event that is joyful, welcoming, and community-centered,” said Robyn
Bertelsen, Program Director for NLC. “The Color Glow 5K is more than a run — it is a
celebration of connection, inclusion, and the importance of wellbeing.”

THE RUN

The 5K GLOW COLOR RUN is for ALL ages and abilities! Whether you are a competive racer to familes walking with their kiddos in strollers, this race is for you! Wheel chairs are welcome also!

The glowing route will be spectacular as the course takes you through many different glow zones as the sun sets. The race will start promptly at 7:00 PM at Ely Community HUB. Runners are encouraged to wear glow gear to add to the fun.

This is a non timed event but we will have a large digital clock at the finish so you can record your time on your own.
Please no dogs, bikes or scooters.

Packet Pickup and Race Day Registration will begin at 12:00 noon on Friday, September 25th. New registrations are welcome from 12:00-5:45. Race day prices are $35.00 for adults, $25.00 for students and $15.00 for youth.

We do not offer refunds for this race after August 31, 2026.

Race Prizes:
- Top Race Finishers
- Most Creative Costumes
- Best Glow

Additional Registration Details:

We want you to be able to participate. We know how important exercise, community, and the great outdoors are for all of us. If price is a barrier for you, please register at the student or youth price, no questions asked.

2025 Race Results can be found HERE

THE IMPACT

Did you know 1 in 5 Americans have exprienced a mental health condition in the past year, including about 1 in 5 people under 18? The majority of those experiencing a mental illness do not receive any behavioral health or supportive services. This is likely to be even higher in the Ely area, as there is a workforce shortage of mental health providers to meet the needs in our community.

100% of your registration supports the Northern Lights Clubhouse.The Northern Lights Clubhouse is a community-driven program to ensure persons living with mental health challenges in the Ely area receive support through social, educational, and artistic opportunities as well as health, nutrition and transportation assistance. The clubhouse is a healing and mentoring environment for persons experiencing these challenges including depression, stress, loss and anxiety. Find out more at elynlc.org

Make a weekend out of it and stick around and explore all Ely has to offer. Check out Ely Chamber of Commerce for more information.