Michael and Jeanne McBride started Katie’s Run in 2010 to keep their daughter’s memory alive after her death from cancer two years earlier.
Since then the annual 5K run has captured what supporting the community and supporting each other is all about.
“It’s just a wonderful community day and I think that’s what we’re most proud of,” Michael McBride said. “It’s a great event that brings everybody together and New Hyde Park is a wonderful one in terms of support.”
Katie’s Run is returning for its 12th annual running through New Hyde Park Sunday, June 26.
The run is sponsored by the Katie McBride Foundation, which the family created to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro in the village, where the McBrides stayed while Katie received treatment for Burkitt lymphoma, a rare childhood cancer.
Katie died in March 2008 at age 11. Her 26th birthday would have been June 18.
Last year the run returned after being canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 but to lower numbers than expected, McBride said. Sunday will mark the return to the regular schedule the village has come to know. including the 5K run, two-mile walk and post-run festival featuring a barbecue, children’s activities and a short “fun run” to the 5K finish line.
“That’s my favorite part of my day—the kids are so determined,” McBride said. “We give them bibs, a medal afterward and these really tiny tots just go and you can see their faces of determination getting across the finish line.”
To make registration easier on the day of the run, the foundation is allowing participants to pick up their bibs and race packets in the lobby of the New Hyde Park Funeral Home, which McBride owns, on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. McBride also said this year there will not be a pre-race pasta dinner the Friday before the race, but he plans on bringing it back in the future.
There are four categories of entrance fees for the run: Super Early Bird (by 5/31) $25; Early Bird (by 6/8) $30; Advance (by 6/25) $35; Day-Of (on 6/26) $40. The prime source of funding is donations.
Katie’s Run has raised $432,500 overall since 2010 with $160,000 going to the Ronald McDonald House and $272,500 for other charities, scholarships and families in need, according to the Katie McBride Foundation’s website.
In 2014, the Ronald McDonald House dedicated its new Katie McBride Fitness Center with funds raised from Katie’s Run, which McBride said was a crowning achievement aside from helping families.
“It’s been very special,” McBride said.
The foundation gives five scholarships each year to graduating seniors from New Hyde Park Memorial High School, Chaminade High School and East Islip High School, McBride said.
Katie’s Run has raised $100,000 for the Ronald McDonald House since 2010 and $120,000 more for other local charities, scholarships and families in need, according to the Katie McBride Foundation’s website.
Katie’s Run will kick off at 9 a.m. this Sunday at the New Hyde Park Funeral Home, located at 506 Lakeville Road in New Hyde Park, before finishing at the village’s Memorial Park, where a barbecue will be held from 9:15 to noon.
This year’s leading sponsor is the Village of New Hyde Park.
Runners can register online in advance or in person on the day of the run.
