Bingo Challenge Races

Bingo Challenge Races

Bingo Challenge Races is a backyard-style trail event held at the Sunfish Lake Parking Lot in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, adjacent to the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center.

The event uses a loop format on a roughly 2.6 mile trail that circles Sunfish Lake. Each loop must be completed within 28 minutes to earn a bingo ball draw and loops repeat on a 28 minute cycle. Completion of bingo ends a participant's race. If bingo is not achieved within the card's maximum loops the entrant is recorded as Did Not Bingo but still receives a time and distance.

Two card options are offered:

• 3x3 Bingo Card 7.8 to 13 miles up to 5 loops
• 4x4 Bingo Card 10.4 to 20.8 miles up to 8 loops

The course is single track style with offshoots, open public trails, and route marking using ACR arrows. Water and light snacks are provided at the start and finish area and a water refill is available; participants are encouraged to bring a personal water bottle. The race is gun timed with chip timing and bibs must be visible. Awards are given to the top three overall male and female finishers by gun time. Registration opened in January 2025 and closes on March 9, 2026. Entry fees are listed as $40 and $50 for the two card options. Volunteers receive one free race entry within a year. Event directors reserve the right to cancel or delay the event for inclement weather and there are no refunds. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.