More than 300 locals laced up for a day of fresh air, fitness, and fundraising as two local nonprofits teamed up for their biggest event yet.

A warm Saturday morning at Las Colonias Park turned into a vibrant, high-energy celebration of movement and community spirit. Elevate Kids, in partnership with the School District 51 Foundation, hosted its annual fun run — now in its fourth year — drawing in hundreds of participants, from toddlers in jogging strollers to seasoned runners chasing personal bests. For the first time ever, the event was co-hosted with D51, creating a new path for reaching local schools and families directly.

Elevate Kids Finds a New Ally in Local Schools

Elevate Kids has been on a mission since day one: get kids active, outside, and off screens. But tapping into the school system to spread the word? That’s been tricky.

“We were looking for somebody that could help us get in front of the schools a lot better,” said Melinda McCaw, one of the nonprofit’s co-founders. The collaboration with the District 51 Foundation was the missing link they’d been searching for.

This year’s event saw the highest number of school families participating since the run began. The boost in visibility was clear — and so was the energy.

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From handing out flyers in classrooms to sharing posts on school newsletters, the D51 Foundation helped Elevate Kids break through that communication barrier. Now, it feels like a true community-wide event instead of just a niche gathering.

A Day of Races, Faces, and High-Fives

The event wasn’t just a single race. It was a mix of competitive fun and low-pressure options to suit all ages and fitness levels.

• The 10K drew in serious runners, some aiming for medals
• The 5K brought out families, walkers, and first-time runners
• The 2.5K was a hit with kids, beginners, and stroller-pushing parents

Each race had its own wave of excitement, and every age group had a chance to win. Medals and cheers greeted the top finishers, but it wasn’t just about who crossed the line first. For many, showing up was the real win.

“It’s about being part of something,” said Tyler, a dad of two who ran the 5K with his family. “My daughter ran her first race today. That’s something we’ll both remember.”

One kid even ran the 2.5K in a superhero cape. Because why not?

350 Strong: Attendance Hits New Heights

Attendance this year reached around 350 people — a solid jump from previous runs.

McCaw noted, “We’ve grown year after year, but this time felt different. There were more families, more schools involved, just more buzz overall.”

In fact, here’s a quick look at attendance over the years:

That’s nearly triple the turnout since their first year.

The partnership with the D51 Foundation clearly paid off, but so did the groundwork laid by Elevate Kids in previous years. Word’s getting around — and fast.

Why It Matters: Sedentary Lifestyles and the Push for PE

Behind the balloons and medals lies a more serious mission: tackling sedentary lifestyles and supporting physical education in local schools.

“We’re all spending too much time in front of screens,” McCaw said bluntly. “People need help getting active. That’s a big need right now.”

Proceeds from the fun run go directly to school PE programs — an area often hit hard by budget cuts.

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Getting kids to move more isn’t just about play. It’s linked to better concentration, mental health, and long-term physical health. That’s why events like these, as simple as they may seem, matter so much more than people realize.

A Sense of Belonging That Sticks

Ask anyone who showed up on Saturday — the air felt different. Sure, it could’ve been the fresh spring breeze. But it was more than that.

People weren’t just running. They were connecting. Smiling. Cheering for strangers. Sharing snacks at the finish line.

There was a guy playing guitar near the registration tent. A kid handing out water in a dinosaur costume. A volunteer waving pom-poms at the final turn.

You don’t get that kind of vibe from just any event.

For one mom, it was the first time she’d been to a community event in over a year. “I forgot how good this feels,” she said. “Just being around people, outside, no pressure. It’s like I got a little piece of my sanity back.”

That’s the kind of stuff you can’t really measure. But it matters.

Looking Ahead: Momentum Builds for 2026

Will they do it again next year? Almost certainly.

With the momentum from this year’s record turnout and stronger ties to schools, both Elevate Kids and D51 Foundation are already thinking ahead.

McCaw hinted at expanding the event — possibly including obstacle courses or team challenges next year. Maybe even a school-vs-school competition. “We’ve got some ideas brewing,” she said with a grin.

And judging by the turnout and feedback, the community is all in.

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Grand Junction’s fun run wasn’t just another Saturday event. It felt like a win — for the nonprofits, for the schools, and for every person who came out and moved their body, even just a little.