Registration Coming Soon
Sponsor Today!

May 09, 2026

Zip KC
12829 Loring Rd, Bonner Springs, KS

Join Kansas City this Foster Care Awareness Month for a one-of-a-kind race—uniting the community to honor foster families, raise awareness for voiceless kids, and fund programs that bring stability, healing, and joy to children impacted by foster care.

Registration Opens Soon

ABOUT JOY RUN

Raising Awareness for
Voiceless Children

Right now, thousands of children in foster care face instability, uncertainty, and loss. They experience family breakdown, the upheaval of new placements, and the pain of repeated disruptions. Many lack access to therapy, miss out on typical childhood activities, and struggle to find meaningful connection. Too many age out of the system without ever knowing the stability and belonging every child deserves.

These children don't have a voice in the systems that shape their lives. Joy Run 2026 is our chance to speak up for them—to make their experience visible and move our community to action.

This signature Foster Care Awareness Month event brings together individuals, teams, churches, and businesses to elevate the stories of children in care, celebrate those who support them, and fund programs that bring stability, healing, and joy to kids who need it most.

Not everyone can foster.
Not everyone can adopt.

EVENT DETAILS

What to Expect on Race Day

The Course

  • 25+ obstacles, choose to complete them all or go around

  • 3.1 miles for entire course, or take a shortcut for 1.5 mile course

  • Suitable for ages 5+ (strollers cannot go on the course)

  • Obstacles include climbing, swinging, crawling and more! Some are muddy— it’s up to you!

  • Participants will be started on the course in waves, groups of approximately 25-40 to make sure everyone can participate and have fun

The Day

  • Tons of fun for everyone! 

  • MC led music, crowd games, exercises and silliness

  • Booths from vendors and agencies

  • Photo ops - for you, your team – elevate your profile with some muddy socially conscious advocacy

  • Food vendors for purchase 

  • Lawn games and friendly competitions, prizes and more!

Make an Impact

  • All funds go to support foster families, and the free programs offered year round at Joy Meadows for foster families and children.

  • Once you register, you can build your own team and raise funds together

  • Corporate sponsors can pay to sponsor the race, and also build a team for greater impact and awareness beyond race day! 

  • A percentage of vendor proceeds will go to Joy Meadows

Free for Foster Families

  • Race registration is free (proof of your agency is required at time of registration)

  • Race t-shirt and extra swag on race day just for foster families so everyone can recognize you!

  • MC-led games, exercises and giveaways

  • Find your agency for extra swag

  • Get a ticket for a free food item

  • Foster families can register and still build their own teams to add friends and family to raise awareness, participate with you and have fun!

BE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER

Registration Opens Feb 15

Sign up as an individual, join an existing team, or rally your friends, coworkers, or church group to create your own team.


FEBRUARY-MARCH
Early Registration $30


APRIL 1-26
Regular Registration $40

APRIL 27-MAY 9
Late Registration (No Tshirt)$40

Registration Opens Soon

  • “I think it’s fun for the whole family! My kids got a kick out of seeing me try everything! We were also able to talk about something important like foster care, while also spending time together.”

    —2024 PARTICIPANT

  • “I love the feeling of being with other people and feel like there is more than just you that cares about foster care.”

    —2025 PARTICIPANT

  • “We didn’t know anything about foster care, but we wanted to do something. We had such a great time. I’m glad we came.”

    -2025 PARTICIPANT

  • “It’s something my daughter and I look forward to doing together every year!”

    —2024 PARTICIPANT

  • “As a foster parent, it’s encouraging to see other people doing something - anything - to show that what you are doing matters and the kids matter too.”

    —2025 PARTICIPANT

  • “Our church brought a team and we had so much fun, laughing the whole way through the course.”

    -2025 PARTICIPANT

  • “People always ask what they can do to help with foster care. It might not seem big, but even showing up to a race like this makes foster families feel like they aren’t alone. And raising money for all the programs that help the children in our home is a big deal.”

    -2023 PARTICIPANT

PARTNER WITH US

Why Sponor?

Your sponsorship directly impacts children in foster care. Sponsor families, not just obstacles—and align your organization with values that matter.

  • High-visibility, values-aligned community engagement

  • Employee team-building opportunities

  • Logo placement on race materials and signage

  • Social media recognition and promotion

  • Direct impact on children in foster care

  • Sponsor foster families to participate free of charge

 Download the Sponsor PDF

  • • Featured as “presented by” on Joy Run shirts, event website, social media and all communications

    • Acknowledged and thanked in press release and Joy Run Recap Presenting Sponsor

    • Shoutouts on Joy Run race page & Joy Meadows email promotions, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

    • 6 complementary registrations, including a shirt

  • • Prominent logo on Foster5K shirts, event website, and social media

    • Acknowledged and thanked in the press release and 5K Recap as Gold Sponsor

    • Shoutouts on Joy Run race page & Joy Meadows Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

    • 4 complimentary registrations, including a shirt and bag

  • • Large logo on Joy Run shirts & event website

    • Acknowledged and thanked in press releases and Joy Run Recap as Presenting Sponsor

    • Shoutouts on Joy Run race page & Joy Meadows Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn

    • 2 complimentary registration, including a shirt and bag

  • • Medium logo on Joy Run shirt & event website, social media

    • At least one shout-out on Joy Run race page & Joy Meadows Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn 

  • • Your Business or Family Name listed on Joy Run shirts

   You’re in good company—previous sponsors include:   

JOIN THE CHALLENGE

Every step, every obstacle, and every dollar raised helps bring stability, healing, and joy to children and families in our community.

Registration Opens Soon!

A Joy Meadows signature event during Foster Care Awareness Month—uniting the community to honor foster families, raise awareness, and fund programs that bring stability, healing, and joy to children impacted by foster care.