I hosted this one · Saturday Oct 3, 2026

The Pocket Run 5K

A 5K that runs for something real. A race in the city that raised me, built to send something back to the children who inspired me.

Date Saturday, Oct 3, 2026
Distance 5K + The Fastest 40
Location Rotary Waterfront Trail, Ajax
Course Flat & scenic, on the lake
Net proceeds Right To Play Rwanda
Fastest 40 Timing OVR Performance
Shop the Founding Collection Photos and results

Why I built this

Born in Rwanda. Run in Ajax.

The Pocket Run was not born from a medal, a title, or a finish line. It was born in Rwanda, in the eyes of kids who play the way play was meant to look. Wide open. Loud. Free.

So I built a 5K in Ajax, the city that raised me, with one job: turn every bib into a ticket back to those kids.

"A 5K that runs for something real."

It is not a race for personal bests. It is a race for the children. You show up, you move, you stay for the Fastest 40, and you go home knowing your morning helped a kid an ocean away show up to school with a ball at their feet and a coach in their corner.

October 3, 2026 · Rotary Park, Ajax

Relive the first run.

Finishers, the Fastest 40 and the volunteers who made it happen. Thank you to everyone who came out and helped bring this event to life.

Race-day film
As seen on CP24, aired September 30, 2026
See all photos → 5K results → Fastest 40 results →

A note on the 5K results: I shared a statement about the 2.5 km turnaround on October 6. Read the October 3 race update →

Runners and volunteers near the start and finish arch at The Pocket Run Three finishers wearing Pocket Run medals Pocket Run finisher medals laid out on a table A participant sprinting the Fastest 40 at Rotary Park
When
Saturday
October 3, 2026
The first edition. A morning 5K run and walk, followed by the Fastest 40.
Where
Rotary Waterfront Trail, Ajax, ON
Flat, scenic, right on Lake Ontario. Parking at Rotary Park and along Lake Driveway West.
The Cause
Right To Play Rwanda
Net proceeds via Right To Play Canada, CRA #888804218RR0001.
Who Ran
Everyone
All ages, all paces, from first-time walkers to club runners.

Results · After the 5K

The Fastest 40

An individually timed 40-yard dash at Rotary Park, held right after the 5K, with OVR Performance as our Fastest 40 Timing Partner. Two runs each, and your best valid time counted. The top three in open men and open women took home prizes from Poulet Rouge.

View the Fastest 40 results →

Thank you, Ajax.

The first Pocket Run is in the books. Take home a piece of it: 100% of net merchandise proceeds support Right To Play's work in Rwanda. Next year's race is already in the works.

Shop the Founding Collection