RUN UNITED 2026: Virtual Marathon supporting United Way for Southeastern Michigan
RUN UNITED 2026: Virtual Marathon supporting United Way for Southeastern Michigan
About RUN UNITED 2026: Virtual Marathon
Let’s run a marathon together—virtually—to support children and teachers in our community.
Starting August 17 through September 20, Run United Virtual Marathon participants will log 26.2 miles (or more!) however they wish - walking, running, or rolling! This event is open to all ages and abilities. Throughout the month, we'll complete different challenges and activities, and we'll fundraise together to support youth opportunity in Southeastern Michigan
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
1. SIGN UP NOW
Sign up for the Run United Virtual Marathon and create your profile with a photo, fundraising and miles goals, and share why you’re running with us. Register by August 1 to ensure you receive your swag before kick off on August 17!
You can join as part of a team or on your own!
2. GET MOVING
Starting August 17 through September 20, complete your miles however you’d like—all in one day or one mile at a time; running or walking; in your neighborhood or on a treadmill; solo or with your dog, kids or spouse. Whatever fits your schedule and preference!
Log your miles using OneCause (under "Complete Activities"), or by connecting your OneCause account to the Strava app to have them load automatically.
3. EARN POINTS AND WIN PRIZES
Earn points by fundraising, posting photos, logging miles, volunteering, and inviting your friends and family to join. Every point gets you closer to some great prizes. Look out for weekly emails to track our progress, learn about weekly challenges, and hear about the impact you are making!
4. CELEBRATE
Join us for a post-marathon celebration! On Monday, September 21, we will come together, virtually, to celebrate our impact and hand out prizes.
Date
Starts at: June 24, 2026 7:00 PM
Ends at: September 20, 2026 6:59 PM
Location
, USA
Contact
RunUnited@LiveUnitedSEM.org
HELP STEAM TEACHERS & LEARNERS IN SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN
Our Call to Action
In 2025, Run United participants logged more than 24,000 miles and raised nearly $173,000, all in support of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) Classrooms in Southeastern Michigan.
Together, we enabled more than 150 teachers to receive STEAM Classroom Materials Grants: unrestricted funds for teachers to order STEAM supplies for their classrooms. Giving teachers the freedom to select the materials and equipment that align with their plans and needs maximizes the impact of the money compared to a one-size-fits-all approach in which every classroom receives identical resources. These grants are implemented in classrooms ranging from pre-K through 12th grade at high-need schools.
In 2026, we are running it back!
The STEAM grant program has been exceedingly popular with teachers - and demand remains high for this funding, so this year, we aim to provided 200 more grants to local classrooms - empowering teachers to empower their students' learning.
Simply put, the more funds raised through Run United, the more classrooms that can benefit from these grants - supporting potentially hundreds of teachers and tens of thousands of students!
Our Impact
Since 2016, Run United has raised more than $1.1 MILLION to support students, educators, and families in Southeastern Michigan. Together, we have:
- Supported literacy by providing tens of thousands of books to students at My Home Library Scholastic Book Fairs
- Shrunk the digital divide by providing nearly 900 laptops to remote learners in 2020
- Expanded out-of-school time and summer learning programs for students across our region
