Run of Hope Seattle

The 18th annual Run of Hope Seattle offers a 5K Run, 3K Walk, Kids Dash (for kids 8 and under) and, if you can't make it in person, a Virtual 5K all to raise money and awareness for cancer research at Seattle Children's.  

We invite you to join us for a morning of fun, camaraderie and LOTS OF HOPE on

Sunday, September 20, 2026 at Seward Park.

To learn more about pediatric cancer research at Seattle Children's, visit the

Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research. 

View the 2025 Race Photo Album

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View the 2024 Race Photo Album

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View the 2023 Race Photo Album:

2023 Race Photos

Sample Invitation Captains can send to friends, family, co-workers, etc.

Dear [Insert Name],

Please join me in raising critical funds for pediatric cancer research at Seattle Children’s! Cancer continues to be the #1 cause of disease-related death in children. We need better treatments and cures – which is only possible with research and generous support.

On September 20, I will be captaining team, [Insert Team Name], at Run of Hope Seattle in Seward Park. Seattle Children’s cancer care and research program is recognized as one of the best in the world.

[Here is where you can personalize your email. Why are you participating? Explain why this cause is so important to YOU. See below for an example:

As you may know, my daughter was diagnosed with cancer when she was six and had to go through extensive treatment. Fortunately, she has been in remission for three years! We received and continue to receive excellent care at Seattle Children’s. I know that the pediatric cancer research at Seattle Children’s will save the lives of many children.]

I would love to have you to join me at Run of Hope as a member of my team, [Insert Team Name], or by making a donation on my fundraising page: [Insert Your Link]. Make a donation that feels right to you, every dollar goes to making a difference in the lives of children facing cancer and their families. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity.

Please help us change the odds for children facing a cancer diagnosis.

Sincerely,
[Insert Your Name]

Reminder Email

Hi [Insert Name],

I am following up on my invitation to join my team, [Insert Team Name], at Run of Hope! The run raises critical funds for pediatric cancer research at Seattle Children’s. Their research is making a huge difference in the outcomes for children facing cancer.

I would love to see you there on September 20 at Seward Park! You can sign up for my team, [Insert Team Name], or support by donating on my fundraising page: [Insert Your Link]

Thank you!

[Insert Your Name]

Social Media Post 

Join me and my team, [Insert Team Name], on September 20 at Seward Park to support pediatric cancer research at Seattle Children’s! [Insert Your Link]

[Include an image of who you are running for or a photo from a past year! You can also re-share one our posts.]

Thank you for joining my team! 

Dear [Insert Name],

Thank you for joining my team! I’m excited to see you on September 20 at Seward Park for Run of Hope! If you know anyone who would like to take part in the event, please let me know. 

Here are some event details to know:

Date: September 20, 2026
Time: Please arrive by 9AM to get set!
Location: Seward Park 
5902 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle, WA 98118 

See you then!

[Insert Your Name]

Post-Event Thank you

Dear [Insert Name],

We had an amazing day at Run of Hope! It is so inspiring to connect with other families, share stories, and hear about the progress being made towards finding cures for all pediatric cancers. I’d like to share the following photos of our team.

[insert photos or attach them]

As of today, with your help, our team raised [Insert Fundraising Amount]! Thank you so much for your contribution to this event and to this cause that is so personal to me and so many families.

If you haven’t made a donation yet, my fundraising page is still active. The results of this research bring us closer to never losing a child to cancer. Here’s the link to my page: [Insert your Link]

Thank you again and I can’t wait to see you next year!

Sincerely,

[Insert Your Name] 

The Run of Hope Seattle was started in 2009 by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Fund (PBTRF) Guild and the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. In its 14-year history, this partnership has helped raise more than $9 million for brain tumor research at Seattle Children’s and created a special environment for our community to gather in support of all patients and families. In early 2023, the leaders of the PBTRF Guild announced that 2022 would be their final Run of Hope.  The Run for Children’s Guild is honored to continue the legacy of raising funds for cancer research at Seattle Children’s. Seattle Children’s is grateful to the leaders and members of the PBTRF Guild for creating the Run of Hope and the breakthrough research they have made possible at Seattle Children’s.

On September 20, 2026, the Run for Children’s Guild and Four Seasons Seattle will team up to present the 18th annual Run of Hope benefiting Seattle Children’s. This year’s event will support all types of pediatric cancer research, and supporters and teams may direct their gifts to a number of cancer research funds, including brain tumor research. The mission of the Run of Hope is to raise funding and awareness to advance pediatric cancer research.  

Please help us change the odds for children facing a cancer diagnosis:

·        Cancer continues to be the #1 cause of disease-related death for children.*

·        Approximately 1 in every 285 children in the USA will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday.*

·        Research for children with cancer, especially for those with sarcomas and brain cancer, lags nearly two decades behind their adult counterparts.*

·        The Coalition Against Childhood Cancer reports that the federal government allocates just 4% to 8.8% of its cancer budget to pediatric cancer research. 

·        Seattle Children’s cancer and blood disorders care and research program is recognized as one of the best in the world.

·        Seattle Children’s researchers study the developmental origins of pediatric cancers to understand how they start, progress and recur, and to create better treatments and new cures. 

·        Seattle Children’s is helping set the worldwide agenda for pediatric cancer care and research in the areas of leukemia, solid tumors, brain tumors and survivorship.

To learn more about how Seattle Children’s is finding cures and advancing treatment for children diagnosed with cancer, click here.

Fundraising

This year's event benefits pediatric cancer research and donors and teams may direct their gifts to the cancer research fund of their choice, including brain tumor research.  You will see the fund designation options when you donate. You can click on the image for the fund description. 

Course

Course is an out and back with central start/finish line (see course map in RACE INFO section). There will be a water station at the 5K turnaround. 

Timing

Both 3K and 5K are timed by Tortoise and Hare, Race Management, LLC.  Your time will start when you cross the starting line!

Awards

Medals for top 3 5K Run male and female finishers in age categories (under 10, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+) 

Prizes

Prizes for top individual and top team fundraisers.

Drawing for all team captains!

Kids Dash

For Kids 8 and under, 100 yards.  Bibs!  Medals! Shirts! Loads of fun! Two heats: (5 yrs and under) (6-8 yrs)

Kids registered for the Dash can tag along with family on the 5K Run or 3K Walk (no additional fee)!

Use these digital assets for your social media posts or include them in your email invitations!

What time does the race start? 
The race starts at 10AM, but arrive early to enjoy the Kids Dash at 9:30AM and inspiring program

Where is the race located?
Seward Park, Seattle
5902 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle, WA 98118 

Is there parking available?
Yes, there is free parking available in the neighborhood surrounding the park (limited space within the park itself).

What’s the Race Day Schedule?
8:30am Registration Opens (& Packet Pick-Up for all Pre-Registered Participants). Raffle tickets available for $5 each!
9:30am Kids Dash
9:40am Inspirational Program 
10:00am 5K Run and 3K Walk Starts (Runners in front, line up by expected pace)
10:45am Awards Ceremony and Raffle Drawing
11:00am Event concludes (after last participant has finished)

What if I know someone who wants to volunteer?
We have volunteer spots open! Sign up here.

Once you’re signed up, there are plenty of great ways to fundraise:

• Share your online fundraising page with friends and family via email, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and let them know you are participating in the 18th Annual Run of Hope Seattle.
• Tell your story – You may know someone that has faced cancer or you may be doing this because it is a great cause and you want to make a difference. You have a story to tell.
• Encourage your family and friends to sign up and create a dream team! And with our Virtual Event Participation Option, your team members can participate in different parts of the country or the world.
• Host a fundraiser of your own (bake sale, garage sale, lemonade stand, etc) and make that your donation!
• Does your employer have a matching program? If so, see if they’ll match the funds that you raise or donate.
• Just ask! Your friends and family like to support you and the things that matter to you. Ask them to give just a little and watch it all add up!  

100% of every donation goes directly to support pediatric cancer research!

Teams make all the difference at the Run of Hope!  Team captains are critical to growing participation and fundraising. Presented by the Run for Children’s Guild and Four Seasons Seattle, this year’s event benefits pediatric cancer research at Seattle Children’s. Cancer continues to be the #1 cause of disease related deaths for children. As cancer can take many forms, donors and teams may direct their gifts to specific cancer research funds that resonate with them.

The individual who creates the team is automatically considered the team captain. This can be changed to another team member by notifying race director. 

We have created some resources to support you in your efforts as a team captain.

Quick Links:

Registration Page
Meet Harper
5k Map
Digital Assets
Sample Emails and Social Media Posts
FAQs

Once you’re signed up, there are plenty of great ways to fundraise:

• Share your online fundraising page with friends and family via email, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and let them know you are participating in the 17th Annual Run of Hope Seattle.
• Tell your story – You may know someone that has faced cancer or you may be doing this because it is a great cause and you want to make a difference. You have a story to tell.
• Encourage your family and friends to sign up and create a dream team! And with our Virtual Event Participation Option, your team members can participate in different parts of the country or the world.
• Host a fundraiser of your own (bake sale, BBQ, garage sale, lemonade stand, etc) and make that your donation!
• Does your employer have a matching program? If so, see if they’ll match the funds that you raise or donate.
• Just ask! Your friends and family like to support you and the things that matter to you. Ask them to give just a little and watch it all add up!  

100% of every donation goes directly to support pediatric cancer research!

8:30am Registration Opens (& Packet Pick-Up for all Pre-Registered Participants). Raffle tickets available for $5 each!

9:30am Kids Dash

9:40am Inspirational Program 

10:00am 5K Run and 3K Walk Starts (Runners in front, line up by expected pace)

10:45am Awards Ceremony and Raffle Drawing

11:00am Event concludes (after last participant has finished)

The course is an out and back format with a central start/finish line. Runners and walkers will enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Washington and end the event on the main lawn for refreshments and the awards ceremony.

The 5K runners will start just past Seward Park Clay Studio under the Start/Finish arch. They will head out 1.55 miles to the turn around and head back to the finish line. Runners should self-seed themselves behind the appropriate pace/mile banners starting at 7 min/mile. 5K walkers/strollers/wheelchairs should start toward the back for safety and to give runners plenty of room.  We will have a water station at the 5K turnaround! 

The 3K walkers will start immediately following the 5K.  Wait for the 2nd race horn.  Walkers will head and turn around at the 1.5K mark and return to the finish line always remembering to stay right to let faster runners by.

Both the 3K and 5K are timed by Tortoise and Hare, Race Management, LLC.  Your time will start when you cross the starting line! There are medals for top 3 5K Run male and female finishers in age categories (under 10, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+) 

Seward Park is dog friendly.  Well behaved leashed dogs are certainly welcome at the Run of Hope.  Remember your poop bags! :)

5K Map

3K Map

For Kids 8 and under, 100 yards.  Bibs!  Medals! Shirts! Loads of fun!

Two heats (5 and under) (6-8yrs)

Kids registered for the Dash can tag along with family on the 5K Run or 3K Walk (no additional fee)!

Prizes for top individual and top team fundraisers.
Drawing for all team captains!