16TH ANNUAL 5K & 1 MILE CHARITY EVENT
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2026 @10AM
2009 Township Drive
Commerce Township, MI 48390
Our Story
In 2011, we launched our 5K charity race to raise funds to feed 100 lakes region families during the holiday season. Today, Outrun Hunger is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and has raised a total of $308,163, feeding 11,922 families right here in our community. Best of all, 100% of the donations/registrations are gifted to our partnering food pantries, Hospitality House Food Pantry of Commerce and Open Door Outreach Center of Waterford. Our goal every year is to be a catalyst for “outrunning hunger” in the Lakes Region of Southeast Michigan.
Thank you for another record success year at Outrun Hunger on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Whether you participated, donated, or both, you were the reason for making this impactful event possible. Our partnering food pantries, Hospitality House Food Pantry of Commerce and Open Door Outreach Center of Waterford, are grateful to you.
It was an amazing day all the way around, and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. We thought you'd like to know the results from Outrun Hunger 2025. Because of your gracious efforts, together we:
Raised $36,128 for our partnering pantries (goal was $35,000)
Provided 722 families a holiday meal (goal was 700)
Registered 415 runners/walkers
Recruited 64 volunteers from our community
Received contributions from 126 donors
Benefited from the support of 25 sponsors
Exciting results, but our job isn't done. According to our partnering organizations, they served 1,214 families, representing 4,762 individuals, including 1,238 children, distributing 306,211 pounds of food during November and December 2025. The “demand” often overwhelms the supply. This year, our goal is to raise $37,000 to feed 822 families.
Our charity race has now become an annual favorite and we pray that Outrun Hunger continues to be a charitable event that is both fun for you AND meaningful to our community. We’d love to have you join us at our 16th annual on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 10:00am.
Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and X ) to stay connected and updated with the Outrun Hunger family.
Gratefully,
Kari Cotter, Founding Director, Outrun Hunger
Matt Mezak, Pastor, Grace Community Church
2025 Charity Event Results
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415
Racers registered from our community
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126
Donors graciously gave
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$36,128
Raised for Hospitality House Food Pantry of Commerce and Open Door Outreach Center of Waterford
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722
Families fed during the holiday season
Donate
100% of your contribution to Outrun Hunger (excluding online transaction fees), goes back to our community for those in need. Outrun Hunger is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization (EIN: 83-3020577) and is partnering with Hospitality House Food Pantry of Commerce and Open Door Outreach Center of Waterford to help feed Lakes Region families.
Hospitality House Food Pantry
Open Door Outreach Center
Mail donations, payable to Outrun Hunger:
EIN: 83-3020577
PO Box 942, Union Lake, MI 48387
Our Generous Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email info@outrunhunger.org for sponsorship details.
2026 UPDATES COMING SOON
2025 Awards and Giveaways: Individuals and Teams
*Register by Sunday, October 19th and receive a Tri-Blend Shirt in honor of celebrating 15 years of feeding the hungry
*Register by Sunday, November 2nd, and receive a free $10 Kroger Gift Card
15th Year Anniversary Finisher Medal for all race participants (while supplies last)
PARTICIPANT GIVEAWAYS:
Sponsored by The Kroger Co. of Michigan
Tri-Blend T-Shirt support from INKPRESSIONS.
*Register by Sunday, October 19th, and receive a free commemorative Tri-Blend Shirt in honor of Celebrating 15 Years of feeding the hungry
*Register by Sunday, November 2rd, and receive a free $10 Kroger Gift Card
All participants receive a commemorative 15th Year Anniversary Finisher Medal after the race (while supplies last)
Entry fee for participants 12 and under is $25 any time when registering (discount will show up in cart at checkout)
5K TEAM CHALLENGE GIVEAWAYS:
Sponsored by The Kroger Co. of Michigan
Attention all Organizations, Church's, Friends and Families! Bring together a team (5 or more to qualify) to run/walk the 5K. All team members must be registered for the 5K only. Choose "Team" when registering. Teams must be pre-registered, (no walk-ins). School teams do not qualify due to NHSA regulations.
2 ways to win a $10 Kroger gift card for each team member (maximum number of gift cards given to a team is 10). A team can only win once.
Largest team of participants
Fastest team to cross the finish line
1 MILE TEAM CHALLENGE GIVEAWAYS:
Sponsored by The Kroger Co. of Michigan
Attention all Organizations, Church's, Friends and Families! Bring together a team (5 or more to qualify) to run/walk the 1 Mile. All team members must be registered for the 1 Mile only. Choose "Team" when registering. Teams must be pre-registered (no walk-ins). School teams do not qualify due to NHSA regulations.
2 ways to win a $10 Kroger gift card for each team member (maximum number of gift cards given to a team is 10). A team can only win once.
Largest team of participants
Fastest team to cross the finish line
Note: Your team doesn't have to walk/run in a group, the chip timing company tracks individual start and finish times. Team members are also eligible for overall/individual age group awards and can win in both categories.
NEW THIS YEAR!
5K KIDS TEAM CHALLENGE (12 and under) GIVEAWAYS:
Sponsored by The Kroger Co. of Michigan
Attention all Organizations, Church's, Friends and Families! Bring together a team (3 or more to qualify) to run/walk the 5K. All team members must be registered for the 5K only. Choose "Team" when registering. Teams must be pre-registered (no walk-ins). School teams do not qualify due to NHSA regulations.
3 ways to win a $10 or $5 Target gift card for each team member (maximum number of gift cards given to a team is 5). A team can only win once.
Largest team of participants ($10)
Fastest team to cross the finish line ($10)
All other qualifying teams will be put in a drawing to reveal one winning team ($5)
Note: Your team doesn't have to walk/run in a group, the chip timing company tracks individual start and finish times. Team members are also eligible for individual age group awards and can win in both categories.
NEW THIS YEAR!
1 MILE KIDS TEAM CHALLENGE (12 and under) GIVEAWAYS:
Sponsored by The Kroger Co. of Michigan
Attention all Organizations, Church's, Friends and Families! Bring together a team (3 or more to qualify) to run/walk the 1 Mile. All team members must be registered for the 1 Mile only. Choose "Team" when registering. Teams must be pre-registered (no walk-ins). School teams do not qualify due to NHSA regulations.
3 ways to win a $10 or $5 Dairy Queen gift card for each team member (maximum number of gift cards given to a team is 5). A team can only win once.
Largest team of participants ($10)
Fastest team to cross the finish line ($10)
All other qualifying teams will be put in a drawing to reveal one winning team ($5)
Note: Your team doesn't have to walk/run in a group, the chip timing company tracks individual start and finish times. Team members are also eligible for individual age group awards and can win in both categories.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
Sponsored by The Kroger Co. of Michigan
5K OVERALL:
1st place “overall" by age group awards for both Male/Female: $75 Amazon gift card:
Overall Male/Female (any age)
Masters Male/Female (40+)
Grand Masters Male/Female (50+)
Senior Grand Masters Male/Female (60+)
Veteran Masters Male/Female (70+)
5K BY AGE GROUP:
1st place by “age group” for both Male/Female: $50 Amazon gift card:
5-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89
(Kids 12 and under must be running/walking themselves, strollers, being carried, etc., do not qualify)
1 MILE BY AGE GROUP:
1st place by “age group” for both Male/Female: $25 Amazon gift card:
5-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89
(Kids 12 and under must be running/walking themselves, strollers, being carried, etc., do not qualify)
Note: All Outrun Hunger awards mentioned above are announced after the race. Must be present to receive.
IF FIRST PLACE ISN’T FOR YOU, STICK AROUND AFTER THE AWARD CEREMONY FOR FREE RAFFLE DRAWINGS
The race will be professionally chip timed by the Michigan Running Foundation.
Race Day
Testimonials
FAQs: Got questions? We’ve got answers.
Is there race day registration?
Race Day Walk-Ins are welcome, however, we highly recommend pre-registering especially for meeting the free giveaways deadline and paying a lower cost for the race.
Where will the race results be posted on race day?
Race results will be available by text message. All final results will be posted on RunSignup and the Outrun Hunger website.
Is a tax-deductible receipt available for my donation?
Yes, email info@outrunhunger.org to request a receipt.
Will there be a 1 Mile run/walk?
Yes, for both adults and children.
How will I receive my first place award?
There will be an award ceremony after the race plus free raffle giveaways so stick around. Must be present.
Is the race course stroller friendly?
The course has a combination of crushed asphalt and pavement, only Running Strollers with extra large wheels have been successful on the trail.
Can I run or walk with my dog?
Because of safety concerns, pets are not permitted at this event.
When will I receive the giveaways?
At check-in on race day. So allow extra time, if needed, to go back to your car prior to the start of the race.
Will there be post-race food and drinks?
Yes, we love serving post-race fuel. Outrun Hunger will have a food tent supplying post-race food and drinks.
What is your cancellation/refund policy?
Because our race is an event for charity, race registration fees are non-refundable and cannot be deferred to another year.
Entries can be transferred to another individual at no cost. Please email info@outrunhunger.org
In the event the race should be canceled for reasons beyond our control (such as, but not limited to, inclement weather, local, state or national emergency) refunds will not be made. At such time, we will determine whether to move the race date or cancel the event all together and race giveaways will be available at a location to be determined.
