The Hermann 5K will start 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 on 2nd North Street next to Harman Park. The route will take runners north on Garden Street, west up Oak Street Hill, south on Highland Avenue and east down Center Street past Hermann Monument and finish back at 2nd North Street.

Park and Recreation Director Joey Schugel said this route is a little different from the original Hermann 5K that started at the Recreation Center and ended in Hermann Heights Park.

Schugel said they wanted to end in Hermann Park, but since HermannFest will be setting up in the park around this time it was decided to have the start/finish line down near Harman Park.

“You still get to start and finish in view of Hermann and run by him,” Schugel said. “This route is also more stroller friendly.”

Runners take part in the last Hermann 5K that was held in 2019. The Hermann 5K was discontinued due to the COVID pandemic in 2020. It is returning this year with a different route and new start time. The Hermann 5K has been moved up from the first weekend in October to HermannFest on Saturday, Sept. 6. Submitted photo

The the previous Hermann 5K route went through Flandrau State Park using unpaved trails, making it impossible for parents to use strollers. The new route is completely paved.

The hardest part of the 5K is expected to be the Oak Street section, which is nearly a half mile up hill. However, the Center Street portion is all downhill.

The last Hermann 5K was held in 2019 and was held the first weekend in Oktoberfest. Schugel said the main reason it ended was because of the COVID pandemic. In addition, 2019 was the 10th annual Hermann 5K. Schugel said there was some concern the novelty of the run had waned. However, by pairing the Hermann 5K with HermannFest, there is greater interest.

The Hermann 5K will have the New Ulm Battery firing a round to start the race as a preview of the Thunder in the Valley show later in the day.

For those looking for a shorter run, a special One Mile Fun Run will also start at 9 a.m. from the 2nd North Street starting line. The mile runners will also travel north on Garden Street, but will turn east on 5th North Street, then south on West Street and east on 3rd North and take Garden back to the 2nd North finish line.

Schugel said the 5K runners will be timed with a chip. The mile race will not be timed.

At 10 a.m. there will be a third race in Harman Park for kids 4-12 year old. Schugel said this race is designed as a youth obstacle course made up of large inflatables. After the kids’ obstacle course race, the inflatables will be left out for the kids play.

“We want it be fun for all ages,” Schugel said.

Registration for all three runs will be taken up to the race day on Sept. 6. Registration can be filled out on the City of New Ulm’s website on the Park and Rec page.