Delightful® Run for Women - Sat. May 30, 2026 at 9am

The 48th edition of the world-renowned Delightful® Run for Women presented by Sara Lee® Delightful® Bread will take place in two formats this year. You can choose to participate either in person in downtown Albany on Saturday May 30, 2026 at 9am or virtually (choosing a date between 5/24/26 and 6/1/26 on a course you pick).  For more information email runninginfo@freihofersrun.com. Join us for this amazing and empowering community event.

Our event weekend includes the Health and Fitness Expo, free Kids Runs, the Capital Kids 3K, and of course the amazing 5k. Join us as we celebrate 48 years of women's running. Whether you run or walk you won't want to miss participating in 2026.

Your role as race support is important. Please review the attached document for pertinent information about the event.

We’re so excited to cheer you on at the Delightful® Run for Women! To ensure every participant gets their unforgettable finish line moment—and to keep everyone safe—please remember:

Spectators must remain in designated viewing areas.
Finished runners should not gather near or return to the finish line area.

We’ve hired professional photographers and videographers to capture your big moment, and we don’t want anyone’s finish blocked or missed! Plus, every runner deserves a clear, safe path to cross the line, receive their finisher medal, and head to get water beyond the media and spectator lines.

Let’s keep the finish line joyful, safe, and photo-ready for everyone!

We are offering a Virtual 5k and 3k option this year. Read on to see how to handle the virtual component!

How do I know when to run?
You can run/walk your 5K (3.1 miles) any time between 6:00 am on Sunday May 26 until midnight on Sunday June 2, 2024. The Capital Kids 3K (1.86 miles) will be completed in the same time period.
 
What do I do once I complete my run?
You will get a link in an email that will take you to a page in your RunSignUp account where you will be able to submit your results. We will compile 'results' over the week and these will be our virtual 2024 results. You will also receive instructions on how to download and print your Finisher Certificate.
 
What if I can't complete my 5K in the week allocated?
That's OK. We know that might happen. You will still receive your shirt, medal and coupon, but you won't be included in the virtual results.
 
I am excited to get my shirt and medal! How will that happen?
Your shirt and medal will be mailed to you at the address you provided during registration.
 
Do I have to run on a specific course?
No - you can run any 3.1 (or 1.86 for the 3K) route you would like. 
 
Do I have to prove my time?
We are offering the opportunity to upload a file, but you do not have to do this. You can just time yourself and input the time into our form.
 
My family wants to take pictures. How can I share those?
We would love to see pictures! You can upload them at the same time you input your time. We would also love to have you share your photos on social media and use #RFW2024 and #VirtualRFW!
 
What charities are benefiting from the Freihofer's Run for Women this year?
We are supporting 2 local charities; Girls on the Run Capital Region and United Way of the Greater Capital Region. You can find out more about these charities, and make a donation https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/NY/Albany/DelightfulRunforWomen. We will be accepting donations through June 30, 2024.

Can I join a team?
The teams are vying for awards. Since we are not verifying virtual results only those participating on June 1st on the race course will be able to join a team.

Will I qualify for age groups awards?
Since we are not verifying the virtual results only those participating on June 1st on the race course will be eligible for age group awards
 
What else do I need to do?
Nothing! Just have fun covering 3.1 miles (or 1.86 for the Capital Kids 3K gang) and celebrate virtually with those running in downtown Albany. We are glad you are joining us virtually this year.  

I changed my mind! What do I do?
You can switch over to the in person 3K/5K until Monday May 26, 2024 at midnight. Email runninginfo@freihofersrun.com.

You can get money back when you bring friends and family to the Training Challenge and the Run for Women 5K.

Use your referral link when you sign up for the Training Challenge. When 2 friends register you will receive a $20 refund. Share the program!

We also are offering the referral program for the 48th Run for Women. This year when you share your referral code and 2 women sign up for the event you will get a $10 refund. So if you sign up when the race is $25 and 2 friends register you are paying only $15! Another two friends register - well then it is down to $10 (our minimum entry fee). If you pay $30 and 4 friends register then you are paying just $10!!

Our referral program is also available for the Virtual 3K and 5K. 

Welcome to the Delightful™ Run for Women presented by Sara Lee Delightful Bread. Please familiarize yourself with the course map.

The 16th Run for Women Training Challenge kicks off on March 23, 2026. During registration we ask you to choose your main location. This helps us to plan for mentor support. You are welcome to join any workout and we strongly encourage everyone to attend on Saturday mornings at 8:30am. Please note that we may have some field trips for clinics. You will get plenty of advance notice.

2026 PROPOSED Schedule and Locations

6:30am Monday - SUNY Albany 

1pm Monday - Ciccotti Center parking lot 

6pm Monday - 15 Cornell Road, Latham NY

6pm Wednesday - SUNY Albany Dutch Quad, park in the first 3 rows closest to the ring road and near the tennis courts 

6pm Wednesday -  Feathers Fitness Factory (Rail Trail) 14th Booth Road, Delmar, NY 12054

6pm Wednesday - Southern Saratoga Y - One Wall Street, Clifton Park, NY 12065

6pm Wednesday - Glenville Y - 127 Droms Rd, Scotia, NY 12302

6pm Wednesday - Saratoga State Park, Parking lot near Gideon Putnam Hotel

8:30am Saturday - Halfmoon Town Park - 162 NY-236, Clifton Park, NY 12065 (meet at the Clubhouse)

Any questions can be directed to runninginfo@freihofersrun.com

Please refer to this map of the event. There is security at the venue so please bring items in a clear plastic bag. Also note that porta potties are plentiful and in multiple locations.

We’re so excited to cheer you on at the Delightful Run for Women! To ensure every participant gets their unforgettable finish line moment—and to keep everyone safe—please remember:

Spectators must remain in designated viewing areas.
Finished runners should not gather near or return to the finish line area.

We’ve hired professional photographers and videographers to capture your big moment, and we don’t want anyone’s finish blocked or missed! Plus, every runner deserves a clear, safe path to cross the line, receive their finisher medal, and head to grab water beyond the media line.

Let’s keep the finish line joyful, safe, and photo-ready for everyone!

2026 Runners Instructions will be available in 2026! Please read through the 2025 instructions - you will likely get all your questions answered. PDF is at the bottom of the page.

TEAMS
Did you know that you can enter the Run for Women with a team? And that there are awards?

• Sister/Sister
• Mother/Daughter
• Grandmother/Mother/Daughter
• Great Grandmother/Grandmother/Mother/Daughter
• Corporate
• High School (this does not have to be a high school sports team - it can be a group of friends from the same high school)
• Family & Friends
• Non Binary
• USATF (prize money too)

You can still add to a team today and update your team. Please check your team as we have many that do not have the required minimum number of people entered. For example a sister/sister team must have 2 athletes. 

VOLUNTEERS
We always need volunteers. There will be a volunteer dinner with some amazing prizes on Wednesday night, May 29 at 6:00pm at the Armory at Russell Sage College - 130 New Scotland Avenue. Sign up  at https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/NY/Albany/DelightfulRunforWomen

PACKET PICKUP
Thursday 4-8pm 
Friday 12-7pm
The Armory at Russell Sage College, 130 New Scotland Avenue, Albany

Saturday 6:30-8:00am
Packet Pickup tent in Academy Park (Eagle Street)

We’re so excited to cheer you on at the Delightful Run for Women! To ensure every participant gets their unforgettable finish line moment—and to keep everyone safe—please remember:

Spectators must remain in designated viewing areas.
Finished runners should not gather near or return to the finish line area.

We’ve hired professional photographers and videographers to capture your big moment, and we don’t want anyone’s finish blocked or missed! Plus, every runner deserves a clear, safe path to cross the line, receive their finisher medal, and head to get water beyond the media and spectator lines.

Let’s keep the finish line joyful, safe, and photo-ready for everyone!