We were ready.

The trails had been meticulously groomed. The water crossings — including a newly installed small crossing and a larger one that had weathered the previous weekend’s heavy rains beautifully — were in perfect condition.

The shirts were printed. The medals were ready, a first for Run for Shelter. The swag bags were packed. Sixty-five participants had signed up to run, walk, or simply show up and cheer from the No-K lounge.

We were more prepared than we have ever been.

And then it rained.

What Happened

The early rains this week were manageable. Right up until Wednesday, the course was still very much viable. But the rains that followed didn’t let up. By the time we had to make the call, portions of the trail were impassable and unsafe to traverse on foot — and with additional rain in the forecast for Friday night, we couldn’t guarantee that anything we did to the course on Friday morning would hold for the early Saturday start time.

The safety of our runners and walkers had to come first.

Canceling was one of the hardest decisions we’ve made. This event represents months of planning, hours of physical labor, and the hopes of dozens of people who showed up for the children in our shelters. Making that call hurt.

What Happened Next

Here’s where the story changes.

When we reached out to our registered participants to explain the situation and offer refunds, the response was overwhelming. Nearly every single registrant chose to leave their registration fee as a donation to Project Nic — to keep feeding and housing the more than 270 children in our care across five countries.

Sixty-four people turned a rainout into something remarkable.

Together, Run for Shelter 2026 raised $5,027.64 for the children. Before the starting gun ever fired, before a single mile was run, this community showed up — and that is not something we will ever take for granted.

We are also deeply grateful to our Corporate Sponsors whose partnership made this event possible. To our volunteers who spent hours on those trails making them the best they’ve ever looked — thank you. And to the landowners who generously opened their private property for this event — your hospitality means more than we can say.

Looking Ahead

We won’t be able to reschedule the run this year — timing constraints simply don’t allow for it. But we are already planning for 2027, and one thing is certain: next year’s Run for Shelter will include a contingency date, a contingency location, or both. July weather in the Midwest has a way of reminding you to plan for the unexpected. We’ve learned that lesson, and we’re carrying it forward.

If you registered for the 2026 Run for Shelter and chose to leave your fee as a donation, your swag bag is either already in your hands or on its way to you. We wanted to make sure your generosity was met with something tangible — even if the race itself wasn’t.

Thank you. Sixty-four times over, thank you.

We’ll see you on the trail in 2027.

If this story moved you and you’d like to be part of what happens next, you can sponsor a child in one of our six shelters across five countries — or become a corporate sponsor and join companies like ECA and Kevin Ginnings Plumbing who believe that business can be a force for good in the world.