Kenya Connect 5K: Running/Walking for Education

Join us for the 2026 KC5K: Running/Walking for Education! Once again the race will be LIVE and Virtual and is a fundraiser to support Kenya Connect's work to provide children with options in rural Kenya! Here's an OVERVIEW VIDEO to learn how participating in the KC5K makes a difference! The LIVE Race will start from St. John's Episcopal Church and run through the beautiful Dunloggin Neighborhood. Participants can run or walk and strollers are welcome! The Top three runners/walkers (male/female) in all age categories (5-12, 13-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+) will win a hand-carved medallion from Wamunyu, Kenya and the top male/female overall will win a hand carved medallion and runner gift cards ($100 for first place and $50 for 2nd and 3rd place). Virtual Runners will be invited to participate anytime between 9:00 am on Saturday, March 28 and 1:00pm on Sunday, March 29. Prizes will be awarded for the top three places overall male/female and the top winner male/female in the 5-11, 11-17, 18-30, 31-50, 51-70, 70+ Pets are welcome to participate too. At the LIVE race they must be on a leash and the owners must keep them away from other runners/walkers. We have a special bandana for them. Join the Team Captain Challenge! Teams grow the race and teams get recognized. Here's the details: Captain Challenge (pick one): Recruit 6 teammates + raise $500 or Recruit 20 teammates. Any captain who meets a Challenge Goal will receive: a shoutout from Kenya Connect (social and race-day), A “KC5K Team Captain prize and serious bragging rights. In addition, the Largest Team will be honored with KC's beekeeping program support in your team’s name (honey press + items dedicated to the team) and the Top Overall Fundraiser (team or individual): a library step dedicated in your honor Runners can choose between three premiums: a Kenya Connect short-sleeved tech shirt, a visor or bandana. Participants must register by March 1 in order to be guaranteed a premium. Registration cost is $40 until March 6 at 11:59 pm. The price will increase on March 7 to $45. Participants 18 and under race cost is $25. Pets are $10 which includes a bandana. In addition, this year features a Pump Challenge! Crossfit PCR in Ellicott City is providing an additional challenge for racers: The Pump-Challenge and Run! Runners will drop by CrossFit PCR and bench press a percent of their body weight (male 75%, female 50%) for max repetitions prior to the race. Each repetition will deduct 10 seconds off the runners' 5k time. Placement and prizes for the Pump-Challenge and Run will be separate from individual race scores, with the opportunity to place in both divisions. Age categories for the Pump-Challenge Run are Male/Female 16-49, Female/Male 50+" PACKET PICK-UP IS ON FRIDAY, MARCH 27 FROM 4:00-7:00 PM AT SPONSOR FEET FIRST COLUMBIA OR ON RACE DAY, MARCH 28 FROM 8:00-8:45 AM AT ST. JOHN'S. THE RACE IS RAIN OR SHINE AND WE DO HAVE THE ST. JOHN'S AUDITORIUM FOR PRE-RACE AND POST RACE ACTIVITIES. THANKS FOR SIGNING UP! Enjoy the Kenyan Crafts Market on Race Day that will include colorful baskets, aprons, laptop sleeves and other items made by women in our village, jewelry and woodcarvings. There will also be post race lite bites and beverages (beer for over 21). It's a favorite community race! SEE RACE MAP HERE