Our events are dedicated to celebrate the life of Julia Rusinek and honor the ideals for which she lived. Julia was a student at Yale and devoted herself to improving the lives of those in need. As a college student at Yale University, she dedicated her summers and her free time to working with or on behalf of underprivileged children.

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.

Our event proceeds also benefit LEAP, an important partner with the New Haven school system.

After a two year hiatus due to COVID we are excited to bring our events back to you and the children it benefits.

Our new 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 Olmstead who also designed Central Park in NYC as well as many others in CT and beyond.

Our 5k timed run and two mile untimed walk courses will stay within the park on its roads. It will travel by West River and the ponds within its borders! Our course maps will be posted soon.

Our 5k distance is computer timed which you can run or walk. Participants are eligible for awards.

Our new two mile untimed walk is designed for all ages. There are no awards for this distance.

The free kids run will be untimed and cover 1/4 mile or less. We are encouraging 8 year olds and younger. Parents/guardians can accompany their children. All children finishing will receive a medal!

All abilities are welcome and encouraged to join us in our three events!

SWAG – Special designed shirts, guaranteed size until 4/16. After that 'as available' and we could run out. Supply chain could affect purchase, shipping and printing.

REGISTRATION – is online only- even on race day!

NO paper entries and NO cash will be accepted.

This Runsignup site will remain open until ten minutes before the start of the run/walk.

Registration details:

2/6 – 3/31 $25 for 19 yrs and older, $20 for 18 and younger – for the 5k or the two mile walk

4/1 – 4/28 $27 $22

4/29- 4/30 $30 $25

Kids (8yrs & younger) Fun Run is FREE (registration is recommended)

SCHEDULE – Saturday April 30

8 am – pickup starts for bibs, shirts, swag, & late registration

9:40 am – FREE Kids Fun Run

10 am – START of 5k and 2 mile events

AWARDS – participants in the timed 5k are eligible

1st place M & F champions, three deep in age groups 9 & under, 10-13, 14-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ and higher if preregistered.

POST RUN – Snacks, approved food, water bottles

DONATIONS – All donations using the DONATE button at the top of the page will go directly to our charity partner -LEAP (Leadership, Education, Athletics in Partnership) which works directly with the New Haven Public Schools. LEAP is an academic, social enrichment and leadership training program for children and youth from high poverty neighborhoods in New Haven, CT. Information about LEAP is available at https://www.leapforkids.org

THE JULIA RUSINEK MEMORIAL 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. Since the Fund’s inception in 1999, we have worked closely with a number of day care centers and after-school programs for disadvantaged children. These include Harriet Tubman Day Care Center, located in a shelter for homeless families (closed in 2007); Harbor Oasis Day Care, a center located in a low-income housing project in East Harlem; Hour Children, an organization based in Long Island City serving children of incarcerated mothers; English Language Learners classes at Flushing High School, in Flushing, NY.

DONATE DIRECTLY using this link- https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=74RW9YSUHUWZY

You can make a one time or recurring monthly donation. Thank you!

Your donations will provide children living in poverty with educational, cultural and athletic opportunities.
Your donation goes towards beneficiaries of the Julia Rusinek Memorial Fund. The Fund has no paid staff and only accrues minimal operating costs.

The Julia Rusinek Memorial Fund is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. All of your donations are tax deductible. We mail you a yearly report.

PARKING – There are parking lots within the park which is also open to the public. There is also a great deal of street parking. Please arrive early!