The 2025 811 5K Run/Walk resulted in another successful safe digging awareness event! More than 100 participants came together in Minneapolis to celebrate 811 Day on August 9, 2025, at Bde Maka Ska’s Thomas Beach to spread awareness of underground utility safety with a family friendly 5K, damage prevention-focused vendor fair, and popular Kids’ Race.
The annual 811 5K celebrates “811 Day,” a day typically observed on or near August 11 (8/11) and calls attention to “8-1-1”—the national phone number used to submit free locate requests prior to digging. Whether digging in the backyard or excavating at job site, Minnesotans are required by law to contact Gopher State One Call (GSOC) either by phone or by going to GopherStateOneCall.org before breaking ground.
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The 2025 811 Day 5K was hosted by companies committed to underground utility safety and brought together damage prevention professionals—along with their families, neighbors, and our four-legged friends—for this community-focused event. Both participants and passers-by explored a variety of utility-focused sponsor booths, providing a great opportunity to ask questions about safe digging and collect fun giveaways.
Immediately following the main race, children 10 and under were invited to join the highly anticipated Kids’ Race, which is a free, short-distance sprint celebrated with lots of cheering and participant medals.
The 811 Day 5K was fun and educational and it raised money for a great cause. All of the proceeds of the event—including the $18.11 registration fee—went to Twin Cities Firefighters Operation Warm, an organization that provides children in need with new, warm winter coats.
Thank you to all of the fellow sponsors that made the 2025 811 Day 5K a great success: American Public Works Association, Asplundh, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, BP, CenterPoint Energy, Dakota Electric Association, Enbridge, Greater Minnesota Gas, Minnesota Blue Flame Gas Association, MP Technologies, MUCC, Northern Natural Gas, One Call Concepts, PUCC, USIC, Vannguard Utility Partners, and Xcel Energy. The 2025 811 5K Run/Walk resulted in another successful safe digging awareness event!
