Friends of the Poor Walk 2026

Friends of the Poor Walk/Fun Run 2026 and Pancake Breakfast - Saturday September 26, 2026

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, District Council of Rochester, MN will be hosting its 13th Annual Friends of the Poor® Walk/Run:

When: Saturday September 26, 2026; 8:30 am Registration; 9:00 am Run starts; 9:05 am Walk starts
Where: Church of the Resurrection, 1600 11th Avenue SE, Rochester, MN 55904 (For parking, please enter by the south entrance off 11th Avenue SE. Please avoid 16th Street SE.)
Please join us in fellowship: 9:00 -11:00 am for a Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast in Fr. Zenk Hall during and after the Walk/Run.

Register to walk/run online:

Please click here (link) to register to walk/run in the event.

If you register online. please do so no later than 11 PM on September 26, the day before the Walk/Fun Run. Late online registrations may not be reflected in the walk/run rosters at the event check-in tables.

Donate to the event online:

Please click here (link) to donate to the event.

Donate to the event via check:

By writing a personal check payable to “The Society of St Vincent de Paul” and including the name of the walker or team in the memo line of the check. Checks may be mailed to: The Society of St Vincent de Paul, c/o Dave Oeth 1313 Northway Lane NE, Rochester MN 55906. Alternatively, the checks may be brought to the Walk/Run event and given to helpers at the Registration/Donation tables.

Donate at the event via check or cash:

On the day of the Walk/Fun Run event, you may provide donations to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul by bringing cash or checks to the event check-in tables. Make checks payable to "The Society of St Vincent de Paul". No credit cards or other payment options will be available at the event check-in tables.

Video message from Bishop Barron:

Check back later for Bishop Barron's message.

Proposed Walk/Fun Run Route:

Route starts and ends at the trail near the Church of the Resurrection. The full loop is slightly longer than a 5k route at about 3.3 miles. The route is scenic especially along the Bear Creek River. There are 4 spots labelled on the map along the route where a Course Marshal will help make sure you stay on the correct route. Water will be available at spot 2 where you begin the loop around the McQuillan softball fields and again when you exit the loop. Porta-potties are located near spot 3 on the map and restrooms are available at the Church.