Julia's Run for Children

Race Overview

Our location is the beautiful and peaceful Edgewood Park, just off Whalley Ave in the Westville section of New Haven. This scenic park has a rich history! It was designed in 1910 by Frederick Law Olmsted JR. (His dad designed Central Park in NYC as well as many others in CT and beyond.)

5K Course Details

• Course Type: The 5K course will stay within the park on its primary driveway/roads.
• Scenery: You will travel by West River and the ponds within its borders. It’s safe, quiet, scenic, and NO Cars!
• Course Map: The 5K Course map link: https://onthegomap.com/s/g3lthi2k
• Route Description: The course starts and ends near the pavilion in the park and travels out on the park road 1/2 mile before turning around and returning to the start area point.

The 5K then goes back out for one full mile. The second turn around of the 5K is at the far end of the park driveway. You then return to the finish to cover the 3.11 mi distance.

Please ENLARGE the course map so you can see the short half mile out & back followed by the one mile out and back. There will be cones, signs, and volunteers at key points to make sure you are on course correctly and not impeding oncoming runners.

All abilities and ages are welcome and encouraged to join us to run, walk, and also enjoy the kids only run.

Our Mission

• Purpose: Our events are dedicated to celebrating the life of Julia Rusinek and honoring the ideals for which she lived.
• Background: Julia was a student at Yale and devoted herself to improving the lives of those in need, particularly underprivileged children.
• Mission Fund: The mission of the Julia Rusinek Memorial Fund is to support children through programming aimed at developing leadership skills, a love of literature and writing, and dedication to athleticism.
• Beneficiary: Our event proceeds benefit LEAP. Read more about LEAP (Leadership, Education & Athletics in Partnership, Inc.) below.

Donations

DONATIONS - THE JULIA RUSINEK MEMORIAL FUND - USE OUR DONATION BUTTON ON THIS PAGE. The Fund was established so that Julia’s commitment to children could live on through direct interactions with children and financial support of educational activities and enrichment programs. It is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization with virtually no operating expenses.

If you'd like more information on Julia and her memorial fund, please visit https://juliarun.org/

All donations from this event into the Julia Rusinek Memorial Fund will go directly to our charity partner -- LEAP (Leadership, Education & Athletics in Partnership, Inc.).

About LEAP

Founded in 1992, LEAP is a New Haven-based non-profit dedicated to empowering underserved youth by fostering their leadership potential. LEAP creates a nurturing environment where young leaders mentor, educate, and care for children through year-round programs, leading to positive academic and social outcomes.

Current Situation: Currently, LEAP is facing over $1 million in federal funding cuts—more than 15% of their $7 million budget.

More information about LEAP is available at https://www.leapforkids.org

Race Goodies

• Shirts: Specially designed shirts, guaranteed size until 4/16. After that shirts are 'as available'—and we could run out.
• Registration: Online only, even on race day! NO paper entries and NO cash will be accepted.
• Timing: Only timed 5K Participants are eligible for awards.
• Choices: Three choices: run or walk the 5K as timed, walk the entire 5K untimed, or walk the one mile untimed.

Registration Fees

• 1/17 - 1/31: $28 for 19 & up, $20 for 18 & younger
• 2/1 - 2/28: $30 for 19 & up, $20 for 18 & younger
• 3/1 - 4/19: $33 for 19 & up, $20 for 18 & younger
• 4/20 - 4/26: $35 for 19 & up, $20 for 18 & younger

$5 Kids Fun Run: We encourage 10 yrs & younger (registration is recommended) The fee does not change from now till race day. There are no shirts included with this nominal fee.

Schedule

• April 16: Cut off for guaranteed t-shirt sizing. After that 'as available.'
• April 26:
  • 8:30 am - Pickup for bibs, shirts, swag, late registration (online only)
  • 9:40 am - Kids Fun Run - not timed
  • 10:00 am - Start of all 5K events and one mile walk with snacks & fluids following
  • 10:45 am - Awards given, (or sooner if the results are ready)

Awards

• Eligibility: Only run/walk participants in the timed 5K are eligible.
• Trophies: 1st place M & F overall, 1st & 2nd for ages 9 & under, 10-13, 3 deep in 14-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+

Parking

There are parking lots within the park that are also open to the public. Please arrive early! It is a Sunday, the park is open, and area businesses are active. Parking may be tight!

GPS/Google Map: You can use ‘MANJARES’ (a great coffee shop/restaurant) as an address to locate the parking lot entrance right across the street at the park.

Use this link to the Edgewood Park Skate Park in your GPS, which will also get you there.

Contact Information

We hope you will consider joining us as 2026 sponsors and partners. Thank you for your support of our charity partner LEAP. Please contact Roza Rusinek juliarun@gmail.com or Eliana Arroyo earroyo@leapforkids.org for information on how you can help fill in.

Race Link

For more information, please visit the race page: Julia