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2026 Cincinnati Aruna Run

10K, 5K, 1-Mile family-friendly run/walk in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio on Labor Day.

2026 Cincinnati Aruna Run
Labor Day, September 7, 2026

Run for her freedom


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Registration fees - 100% goes to free, employ, and empower trafficked women

Where pricing applies, shown amounts include mandatory charges, items, and fees.

10K Run/Walk

Price changes in 1 month 2 days

    1. $56.12

      $52 + processing fee

      Now registering Jun 1 – Aug 23
      Register for 10K Run/Walk
    2. $61.42

      $57 + processing fee

      Aug 24 – Sep 7

5K Run/Walk

Price changes in 1 month 2 days

    1. $45.52

      $42 + processing fee

      Now registering Jun 1 – Aug 23
      Register for 5K Run/Walk
    2. $50.82

      $47 + processing fee

      Aug 24 – Sep 7

1-Mile Run/Walk

Price changes in 1 month 2 days

Volunteers

  1. Register for Volunteers

Virtual Run/Walk - 10K, 5K, 1-Mile

Price changes in 1 month 2 days

Run Details


17th Annual Cincinnati Aruna Run
Presented by Meyer Brothers & Sons

Date: Labor Day, 9/7/2026

Location: Smale Riverfront Park, 166 W. Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Parking: Ample street, garage, and public parking lots nearby.

Events:

Age Requirements for Participation:

  • 10K - Must be at least 12 years old to participate
  • 5K - All ages are welcome
  • 1-Mile - All ages are welcome

Start Times:

  • 6:30am - Packet pick-up & walk-up registration open
  • 8:00am - 10K & 5K start
  • 9:30am - 1-Mile starts

Registration Fees: 100% of fee goes to free, employ, and empower trafficked women.

  • May 1-May 31: 10K $47; 5K $37; 1-Mile $32; Virtual $40
  • June 1-August 23: 10K $52; 5K $42; 1-Mile $37; Virtual $45
  • August 24-September 7: 10K $57; 5K $47; 1-Mile $42; Virtual $50

**Register by July 30 to guarantee your shirt**

Courses: Each race will start/end in Smale Riverfront Park. Click here to view course maps

Road Closures:

  • Pete Rose Way from Old Broadway to Baines, Eastbound Lanes (7:45am-10:00am)
  • Eggleston from Pete Rose Way to 9th Street, Southbound Lanes (7:45am-10:00am)
  • Mehring Way from Pete Rose Way to Elm Street, All Lanes (6:00am-11:00am)
  • Taylor-Southgate Bridge, All Lanes (7:45am-9:00am)

Packet Pick-Up: There are two opportunities to pick up your race bib and run swag:

  • At the Run Expo on Sunday, 9/6, at MadTree Brewing in Oakley (3301 Madison Rd) from 11:00am-3:00pm
  • At the Run on Monday, 9/7, at Smale Riverfront Park. Opens at 6:30am and will remain open until 10-minutes before the start of each race

Water Stops: The 5K course has one water stop and the 10K course has two water stops.

Results: All three races will be chip timed. Get results by:

  • Downloading the Race Penguin Timing App
  • Scanning the QR code on your race bib
  • Visiting the Results Tent outside of the finish line chute

Weather: Prepare for the weather on run day! Download the WKRC Weather App on the App Store or Google Play

RUN EXPO! All participants are encouraged to come to the run expo on Sunday, September 6 at MadTree Brewing in Oakley (3301 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH) from 11:00am-3:00pm to pick up their race bibs and swag items. In addition to shopping at the Aruna shop, plan time to visit and shop with expo vendors representing Aruna sponsors, partners, and supporters.

Swag

Aruna Run Swag


Register by July 30th to guarantee your t-shirt
This year's swag features an Aruna Beach Tote, made in freedom by Aruna Artisans, a District Tri-Blend Tee in green, and an Aruna button. The t-shirt logo features the names of the 10 trafficked women whose freedom Aruna Run Series participants will run and walk for this year.

Team Building & Fundraising

Impact of money raised


Build Your Team
Registering as a team captain and building a team is one of the most powerful ways you can support the cause as 100% of registration fees go to free, employ, and empower trafficked women.

Prize determination will be based on number of team members by Saturday, 9/5, at 12:00pm (Noon).
*In-person participants only

Fundraise Together
You can take your team's impact to the next level by committing to individual and team fundraising goals.

  • Raise $250 individually and receive your choice of a Soniya Belt Bag or Swathi Packable Backpack, any color.
  • Top 3 individual fundraisers will receive a Rani Backpack in Charcoal, an Aruna Eddie-Bauer Max Cool 24-Can Cooler, and a choice of local business gift card/prize package.*
  • Top 3 fundraising teams will receive choice of local restaurant gift card. All team members will get a new Aruna Dopp Kit.*

Prize determination will be based on money raised by Saturday, 9/5, at 12:00pm (Noon).
*In-person participants only

Presenting Sponsor

Presenting Sponsor Meyer Brothers & Sons


Our presenting sponsor, Meyer Brothers and Sons, is a family-owned residential design and construction business. They specialize in architecturally designed, character specific additions and whole home remodels.

We are grateful for Meyer Brothers and Sons taking a stand against human trafficking by being the presenting sponsor of the run. Make sure to stop by their booth at the run expo and post-race party to learn more about their business and how they can help you with your next project. You can also check them out on Instagram and Facebook.

The Cause


Aruna is an international human rights non-profit dedicated to creating lifelong freedom for survivors of human trafficking. The Aruna Run Race Series is the catalyst of the freedom process with 100% of registration fees and additional donations going to help free trafficked women. So grab some friends, lace up your shoes, and let's run together for her freedom!

Runner Testimonials

Runner testimonial


Runner testimonial

FAQs

Aruna Run!


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 along the course.

Can I push a stroller?
Yes! You are welcome to push a stroller in the race. We just ask that you start towards the back to ensure the safety of all participants. A child being pushed in a stroller does not need to be registered for the race.

Are there minimum age requirements to enter the event?
For the 10K race, participants must be at least 12 years old to participate. The 5K and 1-Mile races are open to all ages.

Can you share the stories of the women we are running for?
We are often asked if we can provide more information about the women we run for at the race. As the women we run for are still enslaved in the brothel system, we do not share personal details of their stories in order to respect their privacy and ensure their safety. The stories we do share are of human trafficking survivors employed in our Freedom Business who grant us permission to do so.

How is the money raised from the run used?
The Aruna Run series is the catalyst of the freedom process with a majority of the money raised funding our Training Centers in Southeast Asia. It is here that trafficked women come to receive a hot meal, counseling, and skill and trade development to prepare them to step into our Freedom Business.

Contact information

Event contact
Sarah Prudhomme
Website
Visit website

Photos

Top teams

1

Gwaihir's Wings

$518.90

Raised

$1,000.00

Goal
2

Ain't Dead Yet!!

$280.21

Raised

$1,000.00

Goal
3

Team Wausau

$207.56

Raised

$100.00

Goal

Top fundraisers

1 View fundraiser page for Amy

Amy Cole

$259.45

Raised

$250.00

Goal
2 View fundraiser page for Laine

Laine Kenyon

$154.73

Raised

$250.00

Goal
3 View fundraiser page for KATE

KATE ROEDING

Raised: $124.55

Sponsors

  • Presenting Sponsor

  • Platinum Level Sponsors

  • Gold Level Sponsors

  • Silver Level Sponsors

  • Running Store Partner

  • Food Partners

  • Media Partners

  • Accessibility Partners

  • Race Timer

  • Run Photographers

  • Braid Bar Stylist

  • Local Charity Partner