The town of Hayward is gearing up for its annual Hayward Days celebration which is scheduled for this weekend.

The activities start Saturday morning with the eighth annual April Sorensen Memorial Half Marathon.

The half marathon begins at 7:30 a.m. along East Main Street in Albert Lea. The 13.1 mile course is a point-to-point route that wraps around a stretch of Albert Lea Lake shoreline before leading to the finish line in Hayward. An awards presentation will follow the race at 10 a.m. Everyone who completes the marathon will receive a medal, and cash prizes will be given to the first three men and women to complete the race. These prizes are in the amounts of $500, $250 and $100, respectively. Shuttle buses will be available to take runners back to the starting line in Albert Lea.

The marathon honors the life of a graduate of Albert Lea High School who was murdered in her home in Rochester at the age of 27. The investigation into her 2007 death has not been closed; however, her killer has not been found.

Morning activities also include a bake sale and quilt raffle from 8 to11 a.m. at Hayward Lutheran Church and rummage sales and a softball tournament that will run all day.

More events begin as the noon hour approaches. At 11 a.m. the Hayward Boosters Car and Bike Show will start games and opening of various food stands. The beer garden at Julio’s Bar and Grill will also open at this time.

Admission to the Hayward mud bog races is free for spectators. The event is planned to run from 2 to 5 p.m. with registration beginning at noon. Participants will be divided into different class categories depending on the size of their vehicle’s motor and tires, according to Kevin Uthke of Austin Stump Jumpers, who helps organize the event. Trophies will be given to the top three competitors. Those who would like to know more about the event can call Uthke at 507-383-5743, and a list of rules is available at www.austinstumpjumpers.com.

A street dance is scheduled to cap off the evening. It will begin at 8 p.m. at Julio’s Bar and Grill and will run until 1 a.m.

Activities wind down on Sunday with an outdoor church service at 10 a.m. at Hayward Lutheran Church and the continuation of the softball tournament.

 

Schedule of events

 

Saturday

All day: Rummage sales around town

All day: Softball tournament at the city park

7:30-11 a.m.: April Sorensen Memorial Half Marathon

8-11 a.m.: Bake sale and quilt raffle at Hayward Lutheran Church

11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Hayward Boosters Car and Bike Show

4-H rootbeer floats and games

11 a.m.: Beer garden opens at Julio’s Bar and Grill

2-5 p.m.: Mud bog races

8 p.m.-1 a.m.: Street dance at Julio’s Bar and Grill

 

Sunday

10 a.m.: Outdoor church service at Hayward Lutheran Church

Softball tournaments continue at the city park