By Leah Moorefield Evans, Around the World 5k Co-coordinator.
Get ready to lace up your running shoes and take part in the 11th annual Around the World 5K! We invite Foreign Service and expat participants from all over the globe to run or walk a 5K at their own pace, anytime during the month of April. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for a fun way to stay active, this event is a fantastic way to connect with our worldwide running community. Signing up is simple—just click here!
You can also join our Facebook page or follow along on our website at www.aroundtheworld5k.com. Once you've completed your 5K, snap a picture and share it with the group to celebrate your achievement, and to be eligible for prizes! Remember, we are the ultimate participation event without awards for speed, dedication, or talent. We hope that celebrating movement and community is the ultimate reward for our event.
One of the highlights of the Around the World 5K is the chance to win fun prizes. Every participant who shares a photo of their run or walk is automatically entered into a drawing for a custom pottery mug featuring the event’s logo. Additionally, we have other contests, with chances to win a running book, dog treats for your walking companion, and t-shirts among other prizes. We always encourage team participation! Gather a team, set up a time, find a course, and take off! If you need a team planning packet, visit our website!
This year, however, brings some changes. Many in our community are facing unexpected moves, job transitions, uncertainty about the future, and other challenges. With this in mind, we are shifting our focus to community support rather than fundraising for a specific charity. Instead of collecting donations for a single organization, our runners and walkers are encouraged to give to a personal cause of your choice. If you choose to donate, you can share the total amount with the event organizers, and we’ll celebrate the collective generosity of our community. We hope that you find a cause that is important to you and honor our event with a small donation. Our goal is to collectively give $3000 this year.
We have always been so grateful to our sponsors who have given so generously and thoughtfully over the years. This year, our sponsors will also be taking part in this spirit of support by sharing ways they are giving back to our community. Visit our website or Facebook page to learn more about our sponsors and their contributions. While we will still have some prizes, the emphasis this year is on participation, encouragement, and coming together in a time of transition. Whether you run fast or slow, walk alone or with friends, this event is about more than just crossing a finish line—it’s about supporting and uplifting each other.
We hope you’ll join us for this special edition of the Around the World 5K. Sign up today, invite your friends and family, and let’s make this year’s event one of kindness, encouragement, and shared success. See you on the course—wherever in the world that may be!
