2026 Columbus Aruna Run

West Jefferson, Ohio. Prairie Oaks Metro Park. Run for her freedom. The 12th annual Columbus Aruna Run takes place on Saturday, June 20, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM. Choose 5k or 1‑mile run/walk. 100% of registration fees go to free, employ, and empower trafficked women through the Aruna Project. Swag includes an Aruna Beach Bag (made in freedom by Aruna Artisans) and a District Tri‑Blend tee. Register by June 1 to guarantee shirt and size. Fundraising prizes: $25 Aruna gift card for every $250 raised individually, $25 gift card for every 10 team members, and a team pizza party for the top fundraising team.

Location — Prairie Oaks Metro Park, West Jefferson, OH:

• Prairie Oaks Metro Park is a 2,200‑acre park in western Franklin County, about 20 minutes west of Columbus
• Address: Northeast Plain City‑Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH 43162
• Known for its prairies, wetlands, oak savannas, and paved multi‑use trails
• Ample parking available at the park

The Cause — Aruna Project (100% of Fees Go to Freedom):

• Aruna is an international human rights non‑profit dedicated to creating lifelong freedom for survivors of human trafficking
• 100% of registration fees go to Aruna's Training Centers in Southeast Asia, where trafficked women receive hot meals, counseling, and skill/trade development
• Women are then employed in Aruna's Freedom Business, making products (like the beach bag given as swag) with fair wages and safe working conditions
• This year's run honors 10 specific trafficked women whose names are featured on the t‑shirt logo and beach bag buttons
• Total raised so far: $1,013 of $15,000 goal (6.7%)

Swag — Register by June 1 to Guarantee:

• Aruna Beach Bag — handcrafted by Aruna Artisans (formerly trafficked women now employed in freedom)
• District Tri‑Blend Tee (army green) — with the names of the 10 women featured on the logo
• Shirt size guaranteed only for registrations received by June 1

Awards & Prizes:

• 5k & 1‑Mile Race Awards — top male and female finisher in each distance receive an Aruna Dopp Kit Bag + $50 Aruna Shop gift card
• Individual Fundraising Award — top fundraiser receives Dopp Kit Bag + $50 gift card
• Team Fundraising Award — top fundraising team wins a team pizza party (gift certificate sent to team captain)
• Team Building Incentive — $25 Aruna gift card for every 10 people who join your team
• Individual Fundraising Incentive — $25 Aruna gift card for every $250 you raise individually

Fundraising — Your Support Creates Lasting Change:

• Individual fundraising pages automatically created upon registration (via Race Roster)
• Share donation links via social media, email, and text message
• Money raised funds Training Centers, Freedom Business employment, and aftercare for survivors
• Top fundraiser so far: Mary Lou Owens — $793 raised (79% of $1,000 goal)
• Top team: St Luke Lutheran — $821 raised (82% of $1,000 goal)

Schedule — Saturday, June 20, 2026:

• 7:30 AM — Packet pickup and walk‑up registration open
• 9:00 AM — 5k and 1‑mile races begin
• 9:00‑10:30 AM — Post‑race party festivities

Logistics:

• Parking at Prairie Oaks Metro Park (ample space — arrive early)
• Packet pickup: race morning at the park starting at 7:30 AM
• Walk‑up registration available on race day (subject to availability)
• No dogs allowed on the course (but welcome to cheer from the sidelines)
• Strollers allowed — start towards the back for safety
• Walkers welcome

Why "Aruna Run" — #runforherfreedom:

• Aruna means "morning sun" in Sanskrit — a symbol of hope and new beginnings
• The Aruna Run series takes place in multiple cities across the US, with 100% of fees going to freedom work
• Columbus is one of the flagship events

Sponsors: St. Luke Lutheran Church (Gold), Linworth Baptist Church (Silver), Balanced Family Academy (Supporter), Flyers Pizza & Subs (Food Partner), The River 104.9 (Media Partner), Race Penguin (Timing).

Contact: Sarah Prudhomme via Race Roster.