When you run or walk in an Aruna Race, you run for a specific
enslaved woman by name. You run for her freedom.
The Aruna Project creates lifelong freedom through employment marked by holistic care to sexually enslaved women. By combining the best of non-profit and for-profit, we envision a day when every young woman is free to choose her own adventure.
One-hundred percent of participant registration fees and donations go to free, empower, and employ sexually enslaved women.
Date: VIRTUAL! Due to the on-going impact of COVID-19, we made the tough decision to convert the Cincinnati Aruna Run to a virtual race. Included in the virtual registration is participation in our fun Run/Walk Challenge Series. Check out all the details and register at https://virtual.arunaproject.com/.
Join Team Cincinnati! When you register for the virtual race, we would love for you to join Team Cincinnati. That way you can still see your community's involvement and impact.
Events: 5-Mile, 5K, 1-Mile, and Elite 1-Mile. All courses USATF certified. Click here for Elite 1-Mile details and application.
Location: Smale Riverfront Park, 166 W. Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Host: The Aruna Project, a US non-profit dedicated to freeing, empowering, and employing sexually enslaved women in India.
Why Run or Walk? Run or walk for Shehnaz, an enslaved woman the Aruna Project staff personally knows and is working to free from the brothels. Thanks to local race sponsors covering race expenses, 100 percent of registration fees and donations go to bring and sustain freedom to Shehnaz and other women in desperate need of new beginnings.
Race Giveaways: Each race participant receives an athletic drawstring backpack, choice of an Aruna Run exclusive headband or sweat towel, and a race t-shirt. The backpack, headband, and sweat towels are all hand-made by Aruna Artisans, freed thanks to funds raised in previous Aruna Runs. Race t-shirts are not made by the women -- the cost is covered by sponsorship funds donated by local businesses.
Start Times:
- 7:00 a.m. - Packet pick-up and walk-up registration open
- 8:00 a.m. - 5-mile & 5K
- 9:30 a.m. - Elite 1-Mile
- 10:00 a.m. - 1-Mile Run/Walk
Course Maps: All courses USATF certified. Click here to download all maps.
Parking: Recommended parking is The Banks Garage. Download parking map.
Fundraising Goal: Our race fundraising goal is $75,000 ($50,000 registration fees + $25,000 donations) -- that would allow Aruna to free, empower, and employ 30 women over the course of a year. A fundraising page will automatically be created for you after registration. Help us reach this goal by actively working to raise funds -- every dollar donated makes a tremendous impact. Download social media ready images and posts from our online fundraising toolkit.
Experience Aruna Products: Make sure to check out the Aruna shop at the race to see, feel, and try on our line of Athleisure products. All bags and headbands are hand-made by Aruna Artisans, freed thanks to funds raised in previous Aruna Runs and now employed in our Freedom Business. Special 10% discount offered race day! Cash, check, and credit cards accepted.
Registration: Online registration is available until 15-minutes prior to the start of each race. In-person registration is also available at each packet pick-up and on race morning.
Packet Pick-up: There are three ways to pick up your race packet:
- Saturday, September 5 at Fleet Feet Blue Ash (9525 Kenwood Rd #42, Blue Ash, OH 45242), 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Noon). Enjoy 20% off non-sale apparel items!
- Sunday, September 6 at Athleta - Rookwood (2661 Edmondson Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45209), 1:00-3:00 p.m. Enjoy 20% off one item!
- Monday, September 7 at Smale Riverfront Park (166 W Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202). Starts at 7:00 a.m. and remains open until 10-minutes prior to the start of each race.
Interested in running elite? Click here for complete details and the application.
Registration fees
Additional Details
After-Party: Join us for a celebratory thank you party after you cross the finish line featuring food, music, and activities.
Teams: Teams are welcomed and encouraged. Create or join a team when you register.
Awards: Awards will be given to the top male and top female finishers, as well as the male and female age group winners, in each of the 5-Mile, 5K, and 1-Mile races.
Age Groups: Male and female top finishers will be awarded in each of the following age categories for the 5-Mile, 5K, and 1-Mile race:
- 6 & under (1-mile only) - 1st & 2nd places
- 7-12 (1-mile only) - 1st & 2nd places
- 12 & under (5K and 5-mile only) - 1st and 2nd places
- 13-19 - 1st and 2nd places
- 20-29 - 1st place
- 30-39 - 1st place
- 40-49 - 1st place
- 50-59 - 1st place
- 60-69 - 1st place
- 70+ - 1st place
Sponsors: A big thank you to our sponsors for funding the race, ensuring that 100% of the money raised from entry fees and donations will help the women we serve.
Refund Policy: No refunds.
Fundraising
Fundraising is optional but highly impactful as 100% of funds raised go to free, empower, and employ women. Set up an individual or team fundraiser after registration. Download social media ready images and posts from our online fundraising toolkit. Prizes awarded to top individual and team fundraisers!
2019 Team Fundraising Winners
F.A.Q.
Are walkers welcome?
Of course! Whether walking or running, we are all out there for the same goal -- to raise funds to help bring freedom to the sexually enslaved.
Are dogs welcome?
As much as we love our furry, four-legged friends, they are not allowed to participate in the race. However, they are welcome to cheer on the sidelines outside of the Freedom Center.
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
Nope! As long you can cover the distance, we welcome all ages to participate. Parents are welcome to push kids in strollers too. A child being pushed in a stroller does not need to be registered for the race.
Top donors
No. | Name | Amount |
---|---|---|
1 | Michael Conrad | $400.00 |
2 | Brian Warens | $310.00 |
3 | Harvey Cherry | $305.00 |
Top teams
1 |
Sacred Sippers for Sonu$3,567.75 Raised$10,000.00 Goal |
View page | |
2 |
We're Back$1,141.58 Raised$500.00 Goal |
View page |
Top fundraisers
1 | View fundraiser page for Amy |
Amy Cole$518.90 Raised$25.00 Goal |
View page for Amy |
2 | View fundraiser page for Dan |
Dan Price$103.78 Raised$25.00 Goal |
View page for Dan |
Contact information
- Event contact
- Sarah Prud’homme
- Phone
- 513-448-7478
- Website
- Visit website