Elysian turtle races feature finest turtles

There was excitement in the air at the 40th annual Bob Childs Elysian Turtle Races along main street on the 250th anniversary of America, Saturday, July 4, 2026. There were so many contestants carrying 5-gallon pails holding clawing, scratching, green painted turtles that the crowd was spilling out from under the big tent. Some even had to stand in the sun.

 

Regardless of where they were standing, everyone was smiling. Children were bent over their pails, comparing their turtles to those brought by other kids. A few dares were made to see who could get their fingers closest to their turtle’s mouths. Thankfully, snapping turtles were not allowed. 

 

The racetrack was painted gray; the starting line was a green stripe and the finish line was red. After months of summer training, each turtle was considered ready to race.

 

The emcee for the day was Elysian local Staci Martin. She announced, “We have 12 racing lanes set up for that many turtles. There are so many people today, it looks like this gets more and more coming in every year.” She pointed to the race track and said, “We didn’t want the kids whose turtle didn’t perform well to not get a prize, so anyone can get a freeze after the race.” She indicated a blue Igloo cooler with a lady standing near, ready to hand out frozen treats. Martin continued, “Otherwise, the kids with turtles that come in first place win a special t-shirt and a picture with local royalty.”

 

Royalty in attendance included Elysian Junior Princess Shelby Flynn, Miss Elysian Isabella Cage, Elysian Junior Princess Riley Mielke, Junior Miss Elysian Harlow Ringhoner and Miss Elysian contestant, Liviana Lee. All these lovely ladies were sitting patiently and quietly on the nearby stage waiting for the race to begin and the winners to be named.

 

Kannon Schendel was among the excited children waiting to test her turtle’s mettle. Her mother Heather and father Cody were making sure the turtle didn’t get out of hand. Out of Mankato, they also waited patiently.

 

A group of four “trainers” had brought a 2-year-old turtle to share: Merrek Mcclaflin and his father Byron from St. Peter, Kendal Banks from south Florida, Owen and Jonah Scholl also from St. Peter.

 

Jaxton Regenscheid and his Mankato-bred painted turtle were ready to race; mother Kristi was watching nearby. Ivy Regenscheid, little sister, was in the race after her brother.

 

Hometown racers included Flint and Mac Danielson, who were there with their parents Jess and Eric and Colt and Lizzy, who were with their parents Shane and Amber, all from Elysian.

 

Those competing in the first races and who were leaving immediately after their race was complete were asked to donate their turtles to those late comers who hadn’t brought one, unless they were taking them home.

 

Bob Childs was an Elysian business owner whose business was repurposed into a library. This race is a dedication to his memory, and has become an Elysian tradition.