Registration open for 2026 Night of Hope Run/Walk, set for Aug. 22

Registration is now open for Westerville Education Challenge’s 2026 Night of Hope, set for Aug. 22.

Our Fifth Annual Night of Hope 5K, 1-mile, and Family Fun Run is set to take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Westerville North High School’s Jim McCann Stadium.

This will be an inclusive and accessible event to celebrate the lives of those we’ve lost to suicide while providing resources to serve those in crisis. Money raised from the event will provide direct mental health support in Westerville City Schools and the community, through initiatives such as Hope Squad and Twinkle the Canine Companion. We hope to see you there!

The evening will feature 5K and 1 Mile races on the Westerville North Cross Country Course, and Family Fun Run around the track. The evening will promote mental health awareness and celebrate the lives of those we’ve lost to suicide. The evening will also feature Mental Health partners who will have information on their services and resources.

This year, our Top Overall Male, Female and Non-Binary finisher will receive an award!

All the money raised at the event will go directly towards supporting Westerville Education Challenge’s initiatives in Westerville City Schools including: Hope Squad (at all high schools & middle schools), RoX, WEB (Where Everyone Belongs), Twinkle’s Care, student scholarships, and Parent Prep.

Sponsorship opportunities

We are seeking sponsors for the back of our Night of Hope race T-shirts this year!

If you are a business, organization, or individual who would like to be featured on our race shirts, please reach out to us via the contact form of our website.

Your logo or company/name will be featured on the shirt backs, as well as listed on our website with a hotlink back to your own site.

Sponsoring the Night of Hope is a wonderful way to showcase your business or organization, and to support a great cause! Get your product, service, or organization in front of Central Ohio health and fitness enthusiasts.

All participants who register by Aug. 5 for the 5K or 1-Mile Walk will be guaranteed to receive a shirt in the size they ordered during registration.

Course

This 5K and 1 Mile will take place on Westerville North’s beautiful cross-country course. A cross-country course is not paved and takes place entirely on grass and earthen pathways. Walkers are welcome, but please do refrain from walking side-by-side in the woods so that others may pass easily. If you have a jogging stroller that works well “off-road,” that would be a great option. A traditional stroller would not be a good fit for this course.

Early bird pricing

Save $5 by registering early to participate in the Night of Hope. Through July 9, registration for the 5K Run/Walk is $35, and the 1-mile walk is $25. Prices increase to $40 and $30, respectively, on July 10.

Our Family Fun Run registration is $10 and that cost will remain in effect through the day of the event.

Additional event information

Why Participate?

WEC is again hosting this event to promote community, education, and unity to raise awareness about mental health and to combat mental health stigmas.

Since 2009, Westerville Education Challenge has impacted more than 10,000 students in Westerville City Schools through the support of programs like Challenge Day, Middle School Transition Events, Middle School Culture Summits, mentoring clubs, teacher grants and its initiatives, including Hope Squad. More than 1,500 community volunteers and 40 corporate and community sponsors partner with WEC, and together have contributed thousands of volunteer hours and raised more than $350,000 in donations.

We look forward to seeing you Aug. 22 at Westerville North!

← previous post