2021 Minneapolis Aruna Run

Minneapolis Aruna Run
#RUNforherfreedom

The race is complete. Thank you to everyone who turned out to run and walk for Asma's freedom!! It was a great race, and we are incredibly grateful for the community's support of the cause. The money raised will go directly towards Aruna's mission of freeing, employing, and empowering survivors of human trafficking.

We know there are a lot of local 5Ks to choose from that benefit great causes. So why should you register for the Inaugural Minneapolis Aruna Run?

• Direct impact. 100% of registration fees and additional donations go towards the Aruna Project's mission of freeing, employing, and empowering victims of human trafficking. Our fundraising goal this year is $5,000 ($4,000 registration fees + $1,000 donations). This money would allow us to bring and sustain freedom to two women over the course of a year. Race expenses are covered by the generosity of local business sponsors.
• Run for Her. You run or walk for an enslaved woman by name - a woman Aruna Project staff personally know by name and are actively working to free. Her name will be on your race bib so you will literally run to help bring her freedom. You will then receive e-mail updates on her freedom journey throughout the year.
• Giveaways crafted in freedom. All giveaway items included in the registration fee are hand-made by our Artisans, freed by funds raised in previous Aruna Runs.
• Artisan story playlist. You will be able to download our new Artisan story running/walking playlist to help empower you to run strong for her.

Together, we can give these brave women bright futures full of love, hope, and joy. Join the fight to end human trafficking by registering today.

Event Details

Date: 5/1/2021

Location: University of Minnesota, Coffman Memorial Union, 300 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

• Choice of doing the race in-person or virtually
• Virtual race will be conducted via ASICS RunKeeper app to ensure validity of results
• In-person race will feature a wave start, socially distanced packet pick-up, and hand sanitizer stations. Masks will also need to be worn before/after the race.

Giveaway Items:

• Athletic drawstring backpack (made by Aruna Artisans)
• Universal Gator (made by Aruna Artisans)
• Signature race t-shirt (not made by Aruna Artisans)
• Custom race bib with enslaved woman's name-you will run for her freedom! (not made by Aruna Artisans)
• Free Aruna Reshma headband when you refer two people who register for the race

Start Times:

• Packet pick-up and walk-up registration opens at 8:00 a.m.
• First wave of the 5K race starts at 9:00 a.m.

Registration Fee:

• $30 early-bird (2/24-3/31)
• $35 regular (4/1-4/24)
• $40 race week and race morning (4/25-5/1)

Registration Deadline: Online registration will remain open until the race starts at 9:00 a.m. on May 1. In-person registration is also available on race day from 8:00-9:00 a.m.

Course Map: Click here to download

Parking: East River Road Garage, right next to/under Coffmann Memorial Union.

Packet Pick-up Options:

• Friday, April 30 - 4:00-7:00 p.m. @ 1120 5th Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
• Saturday, May 1 (Race Morning) - Starting at 8:00 a.m. @ University of Minnesota, Coffman Memorial Union, 300 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

Race Director: The Minneapolis Aruna Run is put on by volunteer race host Sam Xiong and his team. Contact Sam at sam.xiong@cru.org.

Giveaway Items

Download Run/Walk Playlist

Just released, our new Artisan-Story Inspired Run/Walk Playlist links together the story of the enslaved women whose freedom you will run and walk for at the race with the freedom stories of our Artisans, who are employed in our Freedom Business thanks to funds raised in previous Aruna Runs. The songs of female artists featured on the playlist reflect the Artisans’ transformation from powerless and hopeless to strong, independent, and empowered women.

Check it out!

• Download playlist from Spotify
• Download playlist from Apple Music