Registration is now open for the 2026 Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS, which will include both a 5K and Kids’ K.

By Ronni Newton

Celebrate! West Hartford has become synonymous with a weekend of family fun and enjoyment through a wide variety of activities – and that includes the FUNd RUNS – a key event held as part of the town’s signature festival which returns June 6 and 7 and is now in its 39th year.

The “FUNd RUNS” moniker was first used during the pandemic, replacing the former “road races” name to emphasize the charitable nature of the run when it took place virtually in 2020. The name stuck, further emphasizing that a portion of proceeds from the FUNd RUNS is donated to support West Hartford families in need through The Town That Cares and the Leisure Services Scholarship Fund.

The USATF-certified 5K course, first used in 2024, gives participants a chance to experience several different West Hartford neighborhoods – the business district and residential areas – as the route heads north through the Center before turning east and heading to the picturesque Trout Brook Trail and finishing in Blue Back Square. The race has a new timer this year, and runners’ names will be announced as they cross the 5K finish line.

Prior to the 2024 change, the course for years had headed south along Raymond Road and then through the Webster Hill neighborhood. The route change was initially prompted by safety considerations to avoid having to cross Park Road near the I-84 interchange.

The FUNd RUNS includes not only a 5K, but also a non-competitive Kids’ K, which is two loops in Blue Back Square. Open to children ages 2-10, all Kids K finishers receive a medal.

‘The 5K race draws participants of all levels from around the region and around the country, many of whom make it an annual event,” said Peter Travers, chair of the FUNd RUNS Committee and co-chair of this year’s Festival Committee. “The well-attended Kids’ K event, before the 5K, allows families to include their youngest members!”

Following the 5K finish in Blue Back Square, participants will be treated to refreshments donated by generous sponsors in the Celebrate! West Hartford festival tent, where awards are also presented.

The highly-coveted divisional awards – generously contributed by donors – are given to the first-, second-, and third-place finishers in male and female divisions in 10 different age categories.

In addition, prizes with values of at least $100 are awarded to the overall first place male and female finishers as well as to the first place male and female from West Hartford (one award per winner). Trophies are also presented to the first place male, female, and over-65 finishers in the 5K.

There’s also a raffle for gift cards and other items.

Another contest related to the FUNd RUNS is perhaps the most visible but doesn’t need to involve any running at all. More than a decade ago, the steering committee launched a non-race competition, providing the opportunity for community input in the design of the logo for the race shirts, which are included in the cost of registration and guaranteed to all who register by May 22, 2026.

This year’s official 5K commemorative race shirt has a patriotic theme in honor of America 250, featuring a red and blue design on a white, moisture-wicking tech shirt.

There were 35 submissions for the 2026 contest by students from both Conard and Hall high schools, and the winner of this year’s design concept, is Hall junior Milo Cohen. In addition to the honor of having hundreds of participants wearing a shirt with his design, Cohen will receive a $250 gift card to Jerry’s Artarama, sponsor of the contest.

“I believe it’s not just cool to have each year’s shirt designed by a high school artist from the town, but it’s important to have real tangible reasons for teens to put themselves out there besides ‘getting good grades,’” said Andrew Shoham, manager of Jerry’s Artarama of CT.

All runners are encouraged to dress in red, white, and blue for this year’s FUNd RUNS.

The FUNd RUNS will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2025. The Kids K will begin at 8 a.m., while the 5K begins at 9 a.m.

Registration is now open, and early registration pricing ($30, plus $1.40 fee) is in place through 11:59 p.m. on May 31, 2026. The registration fee for the Kids K is $5 (plus $0.65 fee). There is also a special category for registrants who are affiliated with 5K youth clubs Zoomerangs, Girls In Stride, and MPower, CHS Soccer, and the Grace Webb Running Club.

Registration can be done online in advance. Race day registration will also be available.

More information about Celebrate! West Hartford, as well as online registration for the races, is available at www.CelebrateWestHartford.com.

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