Running for Water for Africa 5K

  • Date Sat 17th October 2026
  • Time 8:45AM EDT
  • Location Milford, Connecticut
  • Price Free - $32.80
  • Races 3 races
  • Distances 5km, 1 Mile

Event summary

Join us for the 15th edition of the Running for Water for Africa 5K on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the picturesque Walnut Beach Pavilion in Milford, South Central Connecticut. This vibrant event invites runners and walkers of all abilities to enjoy a flat, scenic 3.1-mile course that starts and finishes near the beautiful beach, making it a perfect way to relish the crisp autumn air and stunning fall foliage.

Participants can choose to compete in the computer-timed 5K or enjoy a leisurely one-mile walk, with a special free Kids Fun Run for children 12 and under. Not only will you be running for personal achievement, but you'll also be supporting a crucial cause: funding a new well and water delivery system for a rural secondary school in Africa, where access to clean water is a life-changing necessity. Prizes will be awarded to the overall male and female champions, along with age group awards, ensuring everyone has a chance to celebrate their achievements. With plentiful parking and a lively atmosphere featuring snacks, drinks, and exciting raffle prizes from local restaurants, the Running for Water for Africa 5K is an event you won't want to miss!

Organiser's Description

WE WELCOME YOU TO THE 15TH EDITION OF OUR GREAT EVENT WHICH WE CONTINUE TO HOLD AT THE WALNUT BEACH PAVILION! BECAUSE THE RACE IS IN OCTOBER, THE FALL LEAVES WILL HAVE BEGUN TO CHANGE. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL TIME OF YEAR TO GET OUT AND ENJOY THE CRISP AIR. AND YOU'LL BE HELPING AN AMAZING CAUSE!

WE'RE ALSO BRINGING BACK OUR EXCITING GIFT CERTIFICATE RAFFLE THIS YEAR THAT WILL INCLUDE MANY LOCAL RESTAURANTS.

OUR COURSE IS DESIGNED FOR ALL ABILITIES OF RUNNERS AND WALKERS. FLAT SCENIC ROADS EXCEPT FOR ONE MINOR INCLINE AT THE BEGINNING THAT START AND FINISH NEAR THE BEACH. YOULL BE ABLE TO RUN FAST, OR EASY, OR WALK COMFORTABLY AT ANY PACE.

THERE IS PLENTIFUL PARKING AVAILABLE IN THE BEACH PARKING LOT.

THIS YEAR'S PROJECT:
A RWIMI SECONDARY SCHOOL WITH ABOUT 2,000 GIRLS AND BOYS HAVE DEPENDED ON A VERY DANGEROUS STREAM TO PROVIDE THEIR WATER NEEDS. THE STREAM HAS CLAIMED THE LIVES OF SEVERAL STUDENTS AND LOCALS AS THEY STOOPED TO FETCH THE DIRTY WATER. WE CAN HELP BY DRILLING A NEW WELL AND CONSTRUCTING A WATER DELIVERY SYSTEM. WITH YOUR ASSISTANCE WE CAN CHANGE THE LIVES OF SO MANY.

THE AREAS WHERE WE DRILL OUR WELLS ARE VERY RURAL. KIDS TYPICALLY WALK MILES EACH DAY TO AND FROM THE WATERING HOLE TO FETCH WATER FOR DRINKING, BATHING AND COOKING. UNFORTUNATELY, THE VILLAGERS SHARE THE WATER SOURCE WITH VARIOUS ANIMALS SO THEY HAVE TO BOIL IT BEFORE USING IT. WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN MAKE THIS POSSIBLE!

AS ALWAYS YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE FULLY TAX DEDUCTIBLE. WE ARE APPROVED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AS A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION.

EVENTS:

5K COURSE (3.1MILES) IS A COMPUTER TIMED EVENT WHICH YOU CAN RUN OR WALK. PARTICIPANTS WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE 3.1 MILE COURSE TO BE SCORED IN RESULTS. THIS EVENT OFFERS AWARDS TO THE OVERALL MALE AND FEMALE CHAMPIONS AS WELL AS AGE GROUP AWARDS. IF YOU WALK THIS DISTANCE, YOU WILL BE GROUPED INTO ALL FINISHERS AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR AWARDS.

ONE MILE (APPROX) WALK ONLY IS AN UNTIMED EVENT. ENJOY THE SCENIC BEAUTY OF THE BEACHES WHILE WALKING AT ANY PACE FROM A STROLL TO A POWER WALK! THERE ARE NO AWARDS FOR THIS NON-COMPETITIVE EVENT.

OUR KIDS FUN RUN IS FREE FOR 12 YEARS OF AGE AND UNDER ONLY. A 1/10 MILE COURSE WILL BE OFFERED (PARENTS CAN ACCOMPANY IF NEEDED).

REGISTRATION (ONLINE ONLY):

APR 15 - OCT 3

$30 AGES 19 & OVER
$20 AGES 18 & UNDER

OCT 4

$35 - AGES 19 & OVER
$22 - AGES 18 & UNDER

SEPT 22ND IS THE T-SHIRT SIZE DEADLINE - ONLY IF AVAILABLE FROM THIS DATE.

RACE DAY SCHEDULE:

7:30-8:45AM - PRE-REG PICKUP, SHIRTS & LATE REG

8:45AM - FREE KIDS RUN DIRECTED BY DONNA KIDS QUEEN CRAMOND

9:00AM - 5K TIMED RUN OR WALK AND ONE MILE UNTIMED WALK,

BOTH START TOGETHER

SNACKS & WATER, RAFFLE AND AWARDS TO FOLLOW.



AWARDS: 1ST M & F, 1ST, 2ND, 3RD IN AGE GROUPS 9 & UNDER, 10-15, 16-19, THEN 10 YEAR BRACKETS THROUGH 80+

Races

  • 5K Run/Walk Running for Water for Africa

    Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt

    Sat 17th October 2026 (9:00AM EDT)

    $32.80

    OPENS 28 APR
    This is a computer timed event. Run our course at any speed - it's all good. After our run/walk enjoy snacks and water provided by our sponsors. All pre reg by Sep 20 are guaranteed their shirt size. After that and on race day it will be as available. Awards to the 1st M&F overall champions and 3 deep in age groups 9 & under, 10-12, 13 - 18, 19-29, and 10 yr age groups thru 70+ $30 pre reg ages 19 & over until Oct 3. Just $20 for ages 18 & under! Race day increases to $35 and $22. course map: See below. Enjoy snacks and water when you are done. We ask that IF you DO NOT COMPLETE the entire 5K course for any reason - that you not cross the finish line. Doing so without finishing the entire route would cause results to be corrupted. PLEASE USE YOUR BIB ONLY.
  • One Mile Walk Running for Water for Africa

    Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt

    Sat 17th October 2026 (9:00AM EDT)

    $32.80

    OPENS 28 APR
    This event IS NOT a timed- there are no awards for this event. Walk our course at any speed- it's all good. It is a course with water views along the boardwalk. All pre reg by Sep 20 are guaranteed their shirt size. After that and on race day it will be as available. After your walk enjoy some snacks and water provided by our sponsors. ONE MILE WALKERS WILL NOT CROSS THE 5K finish line. $30 pre reg ages 19 & over till Sep 20 Just $20 for ages 18 & under! Race day increases to $35 and $22.
  • Kids Running for Water for Africa

    Sat 17th October 2026 (8:45AM EDT)

    Free

    OPENS 28 APR
    Our FREE Kids Run is open for 12 & under only. It will be about 1/10 of a mile. Kids will receive a finisher's award and have a blast! Parents are welcome to run with their children.

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Location

Walnut Beach Pavilion, 85 Viscount Dr, Milford, 06460, CT, United States

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