The 2026 Run for Shelter didn’t go the way we planned.

After months of preparation and trails that were in the best condition we’d ever seen them, steady rain in the days leading up to the event made the course unsafe to run. We made the hard call to cancel — and then something unexpected happened.

Sixty-three registered participants chose to leave their fees as donations anyway.

No race. No finish line. No medal earned on the trail. Just a community of people who decided that the children mattered more than the refund.

Together, the 2026 Run for Shelter raised $4,945.00 for the children living in Project Nic shelters. It is one of the most generous things our community has ever done — and we will not forget it.

Run for Shelter is Project Nic’s annual outdoor fundraising event — a scenic cross-country trail run through wooded areas and countryside, open to runners, walkers, and anyone who just wants to show up and cheer.

Choose your distance:

5K — A single loop through the course. A beautiful, manageable morning for almost anyone.

10K — A double loop for those who want to push a little further.

No-K — No miles required. Come for the coffee, the donuts, the lawn games, and the company. The No-K Supporter Lounge is where the best conversations happen.

Every registration supports the children directly. Entry fees go toward food, safe housing, education, medical care, and the daily care of the children in our shelters.

We learned something important in 2026: July weather in the Midwest has its own plans. So next year, we’re building in a contingency — a backup date, a backup location, or both — so that nothing stands between our community and a morning on the trail together.

Registration for the 2027 Run for Shelter will open in spring. Stay connected through our Updates page or follow us on social media to be the first to know when it’s live.

We’ll see you on the trail.