Sarah Strong 5K and 1 Mile Kids Fun Run

The Sarah Strong Run 5K Run/Walk, and 1 Mile Kids' Fun Run is back again for 2026! This year's event will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026 in downtown Elkhart.  All proceeds from the Sarah Strong Run benefit Passionately Purple: The Sarah Crane Foundation, which assists families in the local community whose loved ones are battling cancer. 

Packet pickup will be held on Friday, September 25, at a time and location to be determined, as well as at the race location on Saturday, September 26, from 7:30 -8:30 AM.

The race will start and finish at Bicentennial Park (100 N. Elkhart Ave) in Downtown Elkhart.

This is a family-friendly event! Strollers are permitted and welcomed on the course. Due to liability, no dogs are allowed. All fitness levels are welcome to come run competitively or walk leisurely with a group of friends.

Medals are given to the top 3 finishers in each age divison as well as awards for the top three overall male and female finishers. 

Race Day Parking: The lot at Bicentennial Park will be closed off for the race start and finish. There is ample parking available across the street at Hacienda or at Beacon Health & Fitness. 

ABOUT PASSIONATELY PURPLE:

Sarah Crane was a sophomore at Elkhart Memorial High School (in Elkhart, Indiana) and was full of Charger Pride. A letter winner in Track and actively involved in Cross Country, Drill Team and Dance, Sarah always maintained a positive attitude in life, sports and her academics. On July 10th 2013, that positive attitude became critically important as she was diagnosed with Stage-4 Colon Cancer; an extremely rare form of cancer for someone her age with the colon, liver, lungs and bowels affected and requiring cancer treatments consisting of surgeries and ongoing chemotherapy. While most would have given up or huddled in fear, Sarah stood strong and vowed to win this battle. Sarah refused to back down or surrender. The slogan SARAHSTRONG is where this was born. It was her mantra and focus during this difficult process. Purple represents not only the fight against all cancers but is Sarah’s favorite color.

Unfortunately for us, Sarah's battle ended on December 7, 2013. 

With Sarah's passing and still an entire community still rallying, the Crane family knew they had to do something and that is when the foundation was born. The foundation hosts several fundraising events to help aid in annual scholarships at Elkhart High School, and provide supplies, counseling and other items for local families who are also battling cancer.