Started in honor of Chad Carr, RunTough remains a cornerstone event for the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation. What started as a family-friendly community run in Saline, MI, to uplift the Carr family has become a major event to honor kids all around the country. With additional efforts in honor of Owen Petrzelka in the Chicago area and Colt DelVerne in Ohio, it’s easier than ever to participate in Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and make a real difference in the fight against the most lethal form, brain cancer.

New this year: The event in Saline, MI, is now RunTough Family Fun Day!

There are 3 ways to register for this year’s RunTough:

RunTough for ChadTough

RunTough for Team Owen

RunTough for ColtStrong

RunTough for Chad

RunTough Family Fun Day
Presented by Genthe Automotive

Sunday, Sep 28, 2025 in Saline, MI

Now reimagined to provide even more excitement and inclusivity, the event features a cross­-country-­style 1M and an expanded lineup of activities. Participants can enjoy a Punt, Pass, & Kick Competition, food trucks, a charity fair, a DJ, a tot race, and a family fun zone full of activities for all ages. RunTough is more than a day of fun — it’s a powerful event that raises critical dollars to fund groundbreaking research for childhood brain cancer and provide navigation services to support families facing this devastating disease.

Register for RunTough Family Fun Day
Charity Fair Information

Join us virtually for RunTough for ChadTough Defeat DIPG!

The virtual race option continues to allow supporters from anywhere in the world to register and receive an official event shirt, whether they choose to run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines.

Register as a Virtual Participant
RunTough for Owen

6th Annual RunTough for Team Owen

Join VIRTUALLY from anywhere.

+ Petrzelka/Shaker Block Party in Chicago!

This run is fully virtual, so you can run or walk from wherever and whenever you like, in honor of Owen Petrzelka, who passed away at the age of 6. Local to Chicago? Join the fun at a block party in Oak Park, IL on September 20, 2025, hosted by the Petrzelka/Shaker family.

Register for RunTough for Team Owen
RunTough for Colt

7th Annual RunTough for ColtStrong

Sylvania, OH

or VIRTUALLY from anywhere.

This family-friendly 5K and 1M Fun Run will bring together families, both locally and around the country, to raise money for childhood brain cancer research. In celebration of Colt DelVerne, who passed away at the age of 10, participants who wish to join the DelVerne family can gather for a fun-filled morning at Centennial Terrace in Sylvania, OH on September 6, 2025.

Register for RunTough for ColtStrong