Love Like Deana 5k Run/Walk 2026

“OUR NATION OWES A DEBT TO ITS FALLEN HEROES THAT WE CAN NEVER FULLY REPAY"

The 5th Annual Louisville Honor Earned, Remembrance Owed (H.E.R.O.) Run/Walk/Ruck honors those who died in battle and those we lost at home to the psychological wounds of war. Join us on Saturday, May 30, 2026 for a day of camaraderie and connection. Proceeds will benefit Volunteers of America Mid-States, as well as the University of Louisville's Salute to Service Scholarship Fund.

Join us to support great Veteran driven charities, learn more about local Veteran organizations, and take home a unique finisher's medal.

The Louisville H.E.R.O. Run/Walk/Ruck is a family friendly event, and will once again take place at the University of Louisville Cardinal Track Stadium, 2125 South Floyd Street in Louisville. The route will leave the track and field stadium, take participants around the beautiful University of Louisville campus, and finish on the track.

Registration

Early Bird Pricing until December 31, 2025: $20 for Military/Veterans, $25 for civilians

After January 1, 2026: $25 for Military/Veterans, $30 for civilians

Kids 8 and under can also choose to run our FREE 100-meter fun run.

Race Ambassadors

Recruit 5 friends and family to register, and get your race registration refunded! Details will be included in your confirmation email after you sign up.

Packet Pickup

Packet pickup will be Friday, May 29, 2026 at Mission BBQ, 4607 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, KY 40207, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. Race day packet pickup and registration will be from 7:00am to 7:45am at Cardinal Track Stadium. Participants are STRONGLY encouraged to pick up their race packets / swag bags on Friday

Awards

All 5K and 10K finishers will receive a beautiful custom medal to add to their race collection.

Additional awards for top civilian and Veteran male and female finishers for both the 5K and 10K distances.

Course Map

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5796686524 (5K)

10K runners will complete the 5K course twice.

We are excited to announce the FIFTH annual Race4Justice on June 6th. This event was designed by a women-led student group. Inspired by Breonna Taylor, the movement that followed her tragic loss, and the many other injustices we’ve seen and experienced, this race is about uniting our city to move forward. Proceeds from the event will be donated to nonprofits doing justice work in the city and world. This year's events are listed below.

26 Lap Walk/Jog/Run/Roll Relay (9:30)

Each of the 26 laps is dedicated to one year of Breonna Taylor's life. We want everyone in our community to get a team together to show up for justice. This event is super accessible. You can run, jog, walk, roll.... And your team can divide up the laps however you want. Go at any pace you want and take as many breaks as you need!! This event is about showing your support for justice and getting as many people to raise money for our organizations. Registration for this event is priced at an individual basis. Each person who joins your team will pay the individual registration price.

1.3 Individual Run/Walk (9:30)

Join us solo and complete 5 laps (1.3 miles) however you want to run, walk, jog, roll... If you're able, we encourage everyone to try to create a team to bring in more people!! But, we're happy for anyone that wants to show up to support! Breonna Taylor's life was taken on March 13th.

Sprint Relays

This year we are offering three relays for our sprinters out there. These are for people who want to run fast! A sprint relay must have 4 people on it. It costs $80 to register your full relay team. The registration fee for this event is on a team basis. Each person must register individually, but relay members will not pay for registration after the first person has paid.

Virtual MOVEment

Move with us in solidarity even if you can't be here in person. You don't have to run, but we hope you will find a movement that honors our symbolism. Run/walk/roll for 26 minutes, 26 miles, 5 blocks, 1.3 miles...swim 26 laps...do 26 minutes on the treadmill...bike for 5 miles....meditate for 26 minutes... or anything you can think of!!

It's not just a race...it's a celebration!!!

During the race, you will also hear speakers and see videos depicting our journey highlighting the work of our non-profit partners. The day will also include a celebration of justice with speakers, music, and entertainment. There will be booths from local justice organization to provide even more opportunity for you to engage in justice work. Our will also get to enjoy the beautiful facilitate at the Norton Sports and Learning Complex which include rock climbing and bowling. Food trucks and vendors will be on-site. It will be a great to celebrate, move, and act together.

We want our city to run, march, walk, dance as we move Forward. Together. For Justice.

Please support the mission of the Alma Roberta Elliott Awareness for Dementia Foundation to raise awareness about dementia and empower caregivers through advocacy, education, and compassionate community support.

Our goal for the inaugural Awareness for Dementia 3K Run/Walk is to bring families, caregivers, partners, and supporters together to raise awareness, honor lived experiences, and build a compassionate network of care.

Event Highlights

• Run or Walk on the Humana Outdoor Track at the beautiful Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center

• Receive a commemorative race shirt for your registration fee

• Complete 8 laps around the track to complete the "3K" (actually 3200 meters) to be eligible for awards!

• No worries if you complete fewer than 8 laps. We're glad you joined us!

• Stick around after the race and visit the vendor booths at our Community Fair

• Other details are TBD at this time, so stay tuned to this page...

Click here to learn more about the Foundation.

This race is part of the River City Races Run the 502 series. Run six races on our calendar and get a Run the 502 Finisher Medal with charms of all the races finished. Click here to register for the Run the 502.

NEW THIS YEAR, SAVE WITH A FAMILY OF FOUR REGISTRATION

Register a Family of Four and save $10 off the registration fee.

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to run the Louisville Bats 5k, the only race where you finish the last ¼ mile with a lap around the diamond at Louisville Slugger Field!*

Course will start and finish outside the back gate on Witherspoon

Race entry includes:

• Two ticket vouchers, good for any 2026 Louisville Bats home game (Some exclusions apply. Vouchers will be in your packet at packet pickup.)

• 2026 Bats 5K Finisher Medal

• Technical Running Socks

• Race Photo with Buddy Bat

• Discount when you register a Family of Four

*weather permitting