5 events in Columbus, Ohio

Get ready for the 3rd Annual Kicks for Kids 5K presented by The Running Outreach Initiative and Buckeyes for Public Health! Taking place at The Ohio State University's Recreational and Physical Activity Center (RPAC), the Kicks for Kids 5K will take you up and around the university's beautiful Oval, finishing in the shadow of historic Ohio Stadium. The races will take place on Sunday, April 19th near OSU's Bike Hub next to the tennis courts (find parking info below). The 5K will begin at 10 am sharp, with the 1-mile Fun Run/Walk starting just a couple minutes behind. The sign-in table will open at 9:15 am, and refreshments will be provided. Even more, Brutus Buckeye will start the races!

As part of The Running Outreach Initiative's mission to increase the accessibility of running, registration prices for this race have been set as low as possible. Additionally, we have plenty of free stuff to offer you!

Registration includes:

• Entry to the 5K or 1-mile fun run/walk

• ***Free race T-shirt (sign up before they sell out!)

• 1 free raffle ticket

• Race bib with chip timing

• Photo opportunity with Brutus Buckeye

• Finisher's medal

• Snacks & refreshments

Prizes are up for grabs! Top male and female age group finishers will each receive a gift card to a local business, with age groups being 11 & under, 12 to 14, and 15 & up. Additionally, each participant will be granted a free raffle ticket to apply for a range of prizes, with further raffle tickets costing $2 each.

Lace up for change! Revenue from race entry fees and raffle tickets will support The Running Outreach Initiative's cause:

• The Running Outreach Initiative is an OSU student-led nonprofit whose mission is to enrich the lives of elementary and middle school students through the power of running. This accessible sport provides health benefits and social opportunities, though many of our coaches have also experienced the role that running has played in developing their character, including their self-motivation, grit, and confidence. TROI wants to remove the financial barriers to participation in this incredible sport, therefore all revenue generated from the Kicks for Kids 5K will be used to purchase brand-new injury-preventing running shoes for the ~100 youth athletes whom TROI coaches in the Columbus area across its programs at Graham Elementary & Middle School, North Columbus Preparatory Academy, South Columbus Preparatory Academy at Southfield, and A+ Children's Academy. Learn more at https://www.instagram.com/runningoutreachosu/.

• Buckeyes for Public Health is an OSU student organization partnering with TROI to organize this event and raise funds in support of TROI's contributions to youth public health in the Columbus community. Learn more at https://org.osu.edu/buckeyesforpublichealth/.

Who We Are: Healthy Kids Running Series is a five (5) week running program in the spring and fall for kids Pre-K through 8th grade. Each HKRS Series takes place once a week and offers age-appropriate running events including the 50 & 75 yard dashes, the 1/4 mile, the 1/2 mile and the 1 mile run. Kids will earn points for each race they complete based on their finish.

Pricing: The registration fee covers the entire five (5) weeks of the Series which includes race bibs for each week, a runner shirt, a finisher medal and any sponsor giveaways. Registration is non-refundable and non-transferable. Online Early Bird registration increases three weeks prior to the first race event.

High School: We also welcome our High School runners! Our high school students will be running a 2 mile race.

Challenger: This Series offers a Challenger Division which is an adaptive 75 yard race for children with disabilities and/or special needs. This allows for parents, siblings, and friends to be on the course with runners to provide support as well as bringing their own supportive devices such as crutches, braces, wheelchairs, etc. to be used by runners.

Single Day Racing: Single day race registration opens one hour prior to the start of each race. The registration fee covers one single race to be run on the day of registration. ALL single day registrations should be completed onsite at the race location. Single day racers will have the option to upgrade to the full series (see tab on the left side of the page for instructions). There is a strict no-refund and no-transfer policy.

Awards: All participants receive a medal on Week 5! Trophies will be awarded to the overall top finishers in each of the divisions listed below (broken out by boys and girls respectively):

Kindergarten & 1st Grade

2nd & 3rd Grade

4th & 5th Grade

6th to 8th Grade

High School

Challenger

Share your running photos with our community! Find us on Facebook @HealthyKidsRunning or Instagram @healthykidsrs!

#GetUpandGo

Join us on Sunday, May 31 at 9 a.m. for an unforgettable run or walk through the heart of Downtown Columbus, all with the incredible support of our host, the Columbus Crew; founding partner, Nationwide; and presenting sponsor, Bread Financial.

Start and finish your race at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, soak in the electric atmosphere, and be part of something bigger than the finish line. Can't make it to Columbus? No worries! Virtual participation lets you run or walk from wherever you are.

This isn't just a 5K—it's a movement. Together, we're raising awareness and funds to advance the mission of The Kids Mental Health Foundation: to provide free, expert-created mental health resources to support kids.