2026 DeKalb Aruna Run
May 2, 2026
**Register by April 13th to guarantee t-shirt and size
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
5K Run/Walk
Price changes in 22 days 10 hours-
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$40.22
$37 + processing fee. Early Bird
Feb 13 – Mar 15 -
Register for 5K Run/Walk$45.52
$42 + processing fee. Standard pricing.
Now registering Mar 16 – Apr 25 -
$50.82
$47 + processing fee. Late registration.
Apr 26 – May 2
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1 Mile Kid's Run/Walk
Registration Fees for Kids 12 and under 1 Mile: Includes race t-shirt, race bib, and Aruna sticker (bag not provided)
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Register for 1 Mile Kid's Run/Walk$27.50
$25 + processing fee.
Feb 13 - May 2
1-Mile Run/Walk
Price changes in 23 days 10 hours-
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$40.22
37 + processing fee. Early bird.
Feb 13 – Mar 15 -
Register for 1-Mile Run/Walk$45.52
$42 + processing fee. Standard registration
Now registering Mar 16 – Apr 26 -
$50.82
47 + processing fee. Late registration.
Apr 27 – May 2
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Virtual Run/Walk
Price changes in 23 days 10 hours-
Can't join us in person? No problem! Sign up for our virtual option and run when you can and set your own course.
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$40.22
$37 + processing fee. Early bird.
Feb 13 – Mar 15 -
Register for Virtual Run/Walk$45.52
$42 + processing fee. Standard pricing.
Now registering Mar 16 – Apr 26 -
$50.82
$47 + processing fee. Late registration.
Apr 27 – May 2
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Volunteer
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Register for VolunteerFreeFeb 13 - May 2
Run Details
**Register by April 13th to guarantee t-shirt and size
Date: May 2, 2026
Location: Christ Community Church 2350 Pride Avenue, DeKalb, IL 60115
Parking: Parking available at DeKalb High School (501 W. Dresser Rd. DeKalb, IL 60115) & Katz Park (393 W Dresser Rd. DeKalb, IL 60115).
Distance:
- 5K
- 1-Mile
Race Time Limit:
- 1.5 hrs
Run Day Schedule:
- 7:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m. - Packet Pickup and Walk-up Registration
- 8:45 a.m. - Racers report to starting line on Pride Ave.
- 9 a.m. - 5K and 1-Mile runs begin, kids activities open
- 10:30 a.m. - Race ends (course time limit expires)
- 10:15 a.m. - Toddler Trott begins (no registration required)
- 11:00 a.m. - Closing remarks and kids activities end
Registration Fees ages 13+ for 1 Mile & 5K: 100% of fee goes to free, employ, and empower women
- February 15 - March 15 - $37 - Early Bird
- March 16 - April 26 - $42 - Standard
- April 27 - May 2 - $47 - Late Registration
- Virtual options available in registration
Packet Pickup: There are two opportunities to pick up your race bib and swag items:
- Advance: April 30 & May 1 from 6-7:30 p.m. @ Christ Community Church, 2350 Pride Ave., DeKalb, IL 60115
- At the run: Saturday, May 2, beginning at 7:30 a.m. @ Christ Community Church, 2350 Pride Ave., DeKalb, IL 60115
- Packet Pickup for Virtual Run participants will be during all other packet pick up times, AND at the Christ Community Church during regular business hours (Mon - Wed 9-5) and after race week thru May 20.
Race Course: Scroll to the bottom of page for details and map. Courses are fully paved for accessibility.
Awards:
1 Mile Awards:
- Top female and male finisher will receive an Aruna Dopp Kit Bag and a gift card to a local business. Top finisher awards will be given at the finish line.
- Medals for the first, second, and third place female and male finishers. Medals will be given at the finish line.
- Certificates for first place finishers in age-group categories (5-12, 13-17, 18-24, 25+) Certificates will be mailed within a week of race day.
5k Awards:
- Top female and male finisher will receive an Aruna Dopp Kit Bag and a $50 Aruna Shop gift card. Top finisher awards will be given at the finish line.
- Medals for the first, second, and third place female and male finishers. Medals will be given at the finish line.
- Certificates for first place finishers in age-group categories (5-12, 13-17, 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-65, 65+) Certificates will be mailed within a week of race day.
- The Turtle Award is for the last finisher within regulation time and will receive a gift certificate to Ollie's for a Turtle Sunday. Given at the finish line.
Individual Fundraiser Awards:
- The top fundraiser will receive an Aruna Dopp Kit Bag and a $50 Aruna Shop gift card. Given at the finish line.
- 2nd and 3rd place fundraisers will receive a gift certificate to a local business. Given at the finish line.
Team Awards:
- Largest Team - Team Pizza Party! Gift certificate sent to team captain the week following the run.
Course Map:
Swag
***Register by April 13th to guarantee race t-shirt and size!
This year's swag features an Aruna Beach Bag, made in freedom by Aruna Artisans, and a District Tri-Blend Tee in Army Green. The t-shirt logo and beach bag buttons feature the names of the 10 trafficked women whose freedom Aruna Run Series participants will run and walk for this year.
Team Building & Fundraising
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.
Build Your Team
For every TEN people who join your team, you'll receive a $25 Aruna gift card! Gift cards will be emailed the week after the run and can be redeemed online at www.arunaproject.com.
Fundraise Together
You can take your team's impact to the next level by committing to individual fundraising goals. Individual fundraising pages are automatically created for you when you register for the run in Race Roster. You can then share donation links with family and friends via social media, e-mail, and text message.
For every $250 you individually raise, you will earn a $25 Aruna gift card! Gift cards will be emailed the week after the run and can be redeemed online at www.arunaproject.com.
Change Lives
From helping women at our Training Centers to sustaining freedom to the Artisans employed in our Freedom Business, the money you raise creates real lasting change in the lives of the women we serve.
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
FAQs
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.
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
- Paul DeHaven
- Website
- Visit website
Sponsors
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Platinum Level Sponsors
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Gold Level Sponsors
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Silver Level Sponsors
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Bronze Level Sponsors
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Race Timer
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