Submitted Photo Last year's top male and female finishers of the Beat Beethoven 5K are Carlo Galindo, left, and Lyanne Jerritts, right.

The Minot Symphony Orchestra will hold its second annual Beat Beethoven 5K fundraiser at 5:35 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, at Oak Park in Minot. Runners and walkers alike are invited to complete the route before the final note of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.

“Participants have one mission: Complete the 5K before Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 ends,” said Ellen Fenner, executive director of the Minot Symphony Association. “Hearing the music throughout the park creates an exciting atmosphere and makes this event unlike any other race in our region.”

Participants who “beat Beethoven” and complete the race before the final note will earn a voucher for a free ticket to a select concert in MSO’s upcoming 26-27 season. All other finishers will receive a $5 discount voucher toward a concert ticket.

According to Fenner, the feedback they received from last year’s race was positive – with one anonymous survey response saying, “The whole idea of the thing is great. I’ve been running races for years and don’t recall ever hearing about anything quite like this before.”

She discovered the event while at a League of American Orchestras conference, where she learned orchestras throughout the country use it as a fundraising opportunity.

“I love the idea of combining orchestral music and promoting wellness in our community. Music focuses on mental health and the walking and running promotes physical health. Plus proceeds benefit the Minot Symphony Orchestra, it’s a win-win,” Fenner said.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and warm-up to live music by Risha Bergstrom at the amphitheater, which starts at 4 p.m.

Organized by Minot’s Run with Heart and Soul, attendees are invited to enjoy post-race entertainment as part of the Minot Area Council of the Arts’ Arts in the City series – food trucks and live music by Chris Basden will be available for everyone to complete their evening.

Registration is now open on MSO’s website.