Duluth Mother’s Day 5K raises funds for domestic violence survivors

A Mother’s Day run on West Superior Street became more than a neighborhood tradition when more than 100 people signed up to help fund domestic violence services in Duluth.

Ursa Minor Brewing hosted its annual Badass Warrior Goddess DiffeRUNce 5k & 1 Mile Fun Run on Sunday, May 10, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. and the race starting at 10 a.m. at 2415 West Superior Street. The event used a donation-based model with a suggested $25 contribution, and the brewery said additional donations were welcome.

Founder Ben Hugus said the route was kept intentionally simple, a short out-and-back on the bike path that keeps overhead low so more of the money can go directly to Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center. The event has become a regular part of Mother’s Day in Duluth, drawing runners, walkers, dogs and strollers while tying a visible community gathering to a serious public safety need.

That need is immediate for people trying to leave abusive homes. Safe Haven says it serves women, children and all survivors affected by physical, emotional, sexual and economic abuse. Its crisis shelter is a four-week shelter, and the Resource Center offers legal advocacy, self-sufficiency support and drop-in services. The organization’s publicly listed crisis line is 218-728-6481.

Safe Haven executive director Brittany Robb said the Mother’s Day timing made the event especially meaningful because it recognized the strength of women in the community while also supporting services for people experiencing domestic violence. The funds raised by events like this can help pay for the 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, legal advocacy and housing support that survivors may need right away.

Ursa Minor has also made the fundraiser part of its own identity, brewing a Badass Warrior Goddess Hazy IPA tied to the event each year. That blend of a local brewery, a family-friendly run and a clear service mission has helped the fundraiser grow into a recurring source of support rather than a one-time gesture.

Safe Haven’s public materials say it welcomes community fundraisers and sponsorships, a reminder that local aid often depends on steady, visible partnerships. For survivors in Duluth and across St. Louis County, that kind of support can mean the difference between staying trapped and finding a safe place to begin again.