Pulse Walk: Penny Per Step Challenge
About this race
ABOUT THE EVENT
Pulse Walk: Penny Per Step Challenge is a community 5K you can complete in person in Huntsville, Alabama, or virtually from anywhere around the world. Presented by the Griffin Leukemia Foundation, Inc., this event raises awareness for leukemia and other cancers while supporting programs that help cancer survivors rebuild strength, confidence, and purpose after treatment.
Pulse Walk is a different kind of competition. It includes a non-competitive, inclusive walk designed for all ages and abilities.
This is not a timed race. Participants are encouraged to walk at their own pace and take part in whatever way is meaningful to them.
IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION
IN-PERSON 5K
Early Registration = $20
Open through August 15, 2026
Registration = $25
August 15 through September 24, 2026
In-person registration includes:
• Official Pulse Walk T-shirt (guaranteed only if registered by September 4, 2026)
• Eligibility to compete for the Top Fundraiser Super Car Ride Experience
• Access to fundraising platform 99Pledges
Participants who register after September 4, 2026 are not guaranteed a t-shirt due to production deadlines.
T-shirt sizes available: Small through XXXL. Shirts will be distributed at packet pickup or the day of the event at check-in.
Processing fees charged by RunSignUp are the responsibility of the registrant.
VIRTUAL 5K
Registration is free.
Virtual participants:
• Complete their 5K anytime between September 20 and September 26
• Create and share a fundraising page
• Are eligible to compete for the Top Fundraiser Super Car Ride Experience
Virtual participants are not eligible to receive an event T-shirt due to shipping and logistical limitations at this time.
If a virtual participant wins a Super Car Ride Experience, the ride must be redeemed in Huntsville, Alabama. Travel and lodging are not included.
HOW FUNDRAISING WORKS (PENNY PER STEP)
AFTER registering here, every participant should create a personal fundraising page at our official fundraising platform:
👉 Click the link on your confirmation screen or check your confirmation email to create your fundraising page.
Once created:
- Share your fundraising page with friends, family, and coworkers.
- Sponsors pledge one penny per step or make a flat donation - all donations made from your page are tracked to you.
- Walk your 5K and submit your final step count at the completion of your walk.
- Pledges are then processed based on your step total.
- Every step turns into real support for cancer survivors.
- And don't forget to tell your story along the way! (Build your following)
You will receive reminders after registration to help with each of these steps.
WHERE THE FUNDS GO (2026 BENEFICIARY)
All funds raised during the 2026 Pulse Walk will support the Cancer Climber Association (see video on SPONSORS tab). Their mission helps cancer survivors rediscover confidence and purpose through transformational challenges, including survivor-led climbs of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain.
EVENT INCENTIVES AND SWEEPSTAKES
Participant Super Car Ride Experience
Super Car Ride Experience will be awarded to a Pulse Walk participant who completes the event requirements. This experience is designed to reward participation, engagement, and commitment to the mission. Eligibility details are available on the Super Car Ride Experience page.
The Super Car Ride Experience must be redeemed in Huntsville, Alabama. Travel and lodging are not included.
Public Ultimate Super Car Ride Experience Sweepstakes
Public Super Car Ride Sweepstakes – open to the public through our official sweepstakes platform. (See Super Car Ride Experience page)
The Super Car Ride Experience must be redeemed in Huntsville, Alabama. Travel and lodging are not included.
Participant Perks
Top Fundraiser receives a Super Car Ride Experience from Smile AWhile Inc. Additional perks may be available as sponsors come on board.
NEXT STEPS AFTER REGISTRATION
After registering, check your confirmation screen and email for a link to create your personal fundraising page. Complete that step and begin sharing your story and fundraising link right away.
Every step keeps the pulse alive.
Pick your distance
Running
Pulse Walk: Penny Per Step Challenge (5K) Virtual
VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION DETAILS You will participate in Pulse Walk virtually by completing your 5K from anywhere during the virtual participation window. STEP TRACKING You may use any phone or wearable device to track your steps. After completing your walk, you will submit your final step count so per-step pledges can be processed. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU REGISTER After completing registration, you will be guided to create your personal fundraising page. This page allows friends, family, and coworkers to sponsor your steps at $0.01 per step or make a flat donation.
Pulse Walk: Penny Per Step Challenge (5K) In-Person
IN-PERSON PARTICIPATION DETAILS You will participate in Pulse Walk in person at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Alabama. This is a non-competitive, community 5K walk designed for all ages and abilities. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU REGISTER After completing registration, you will be guided to create your personal fundraising page. This page allows friends, family, and coworkers to sponsor your steps at $0.01 per step or make a flat donation.
Typical race-day weather
Based on 10 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Huntsville, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 6:33 AM and sets at 6:46 PM local time (CDT) in Huntsville on September 20, 2026 — 12h 13m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
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🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Huntsville
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Huntsville 5K Races 54 races
- 10K Run Events in Huntsville 11 races
- Huntsville Half Marathons 5 races
- Marathons in Huntsville 3 races
- Huntsville Running Calendar 2026 72 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 84 Huntsville events
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