Final Stretch History

In 1995, Final Stretch, Inc. was founded and the first race directed by our group was the Lumberjack Days. This race has now grown to over 2000 runners. In 1997, Lumberjack Days was returned back to the Lumberjack Days organization. With the success of this race, Final Stretch realized the necessity for unique and enjoyable running events in the Twin Cities area. In 1997 FSI added three new races to the Twin Cities running scene: the Northern Lakes 30K, 10-mile and 5K; the Badger to Gopher Half Marathon and 5K; and the Nerstrand Big Woods Half Marathon, 10K and 5K. The three races in 1997 averaged 600 runners and the post-race feedback was extremely encouraging. In 1998 the Get Ready to Rock 20 Miler was added which became a timely training run for the Twin Cities' Marathon. In 2001, FSI put on it's first triathlon, the St. Croix Valley Triathlon. The "short course", 1/3 mile swim, 10 mile bike, 4 mile run was well received by the participants. In 2002, FSI added three new events, the Running Opener 8 Mile/5K, the St. Croix Valley International course Triathlon and the Old Toll Bridge 10K/2 Mile Fun Run. In 2003, FSI partnered up with Children’s Cancer Research Fund and changed the Old Toll Bridge Run to the Time to Fly run. Now in its fourth year, the race is expecting over 1200 runners and will raise over $45,000.00 for Children’s Cancer Research Fund. In 2005, we were able to put on a one-time event with the Metropolitan Airport Commission and ran a 5K run on the runway of the MSP airport runway. With all the current run managed by Final Stretch, Inc., our list of satisfied and ongoing running participants is over five thousand on the mailing list and six thousand emails.

Continued Success

Final Stretch believes its success is the result of Final Stretch’s ability to market unique races to the running community. In addition, the races take on a "grass roots" feel that gives the runners a change from the corporate race overload associated with other events. Final Stretch’s experience and quality management combined with the races "Grass Roots" feel provide runners with an experience not found in other events. We are continuously looking for new events to compliment our current events at Final Stretch. Additionally, Final Stretch is improving the service provided to each runner to ensure every participant can say, "It was a great day to run".

FSI Supports Community

It is important for FSI to give back to the communities in which the races are hosted. Since the company started in 1997, FSI has donated approximately $120,000.00 of race proceeds to local and national organizations based in the greater Twin City Metropolitan area not including the funds raise on the Time To Fly event. Some of these include Minneapolis Parks, Stillwater, Hudson and White Bear Lake high school athletic programs and Charity Challenge. Your support of FSI races will ensure continued support to organizations within the communities in which the races are hosted. Thank for your taking the time to better understand Final Stretch, Inc. If you have further questions, please send us an email at info@finalstretch.com or call us at 507-664-9438. We appreciate any feedback as Final Stretch, Inc. is continuously improving the events being managed.

Why Choose FSI

Final Stretch, Inc. has been providing services to runners and group wanting to put on run for nearly ten years. Our services are very comprehensive and the team has been in place for numerous years. Therefore, everyone knows his or her job and he or she does it great. We have been approached by numerous organizations over the past three years but we only choose to work with runs that have a unique aspect to there event. We have on occasion had to use outside contractors for services like timing or race support. The feedback from these fellow directors is very positive. In fact, they often take back new techniques to enhance their race management skills. Final Stretch, Inc. is not the only company to provide services to runners, but we feel that we are the best!