Janney 5K & Fun Run

Come and join in the 15th running of the Janney Elementary School 5K & Fun Run Race!!

The Janney 5K & Fun Run is on! We look forward to continuing to celebrate our school and community in a safe and fun way by joining  in our annual tradition of both a 5K and 1-mile Fun Run race, along with an opening and closing award ceremony.

Let's come together as a community to show our support for Janney teachers, staff, and students, and the greater Tenleytown/AU Park community through a safe and fun race. The Janney PTA thanks you for supporting the race and hopes you can join us. The Janney 5K and Fun Run is a community event and we want everyone to be able to participate. If the registration fees are a challenge to afford, please reach out to Assistant Principal Niki.

The week of the race, you will be able to pick up your race t-shirt, race bib, and "swag bag" from Janney Elementary School. Look for more information as the race approaches!

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the race?

The 5K will be on Saturday, November 15 and begin at 9AM. The Fun Run will be on Saturday, November 15 and commence immediately after the 5K at 10:00AM.  

Where do the races start and end?

Both races start in front of Janney on Albemarle and finish behind Janney from Yuma.

Will there be a live opening and closing ceremony?

YES!  There will be an opening ceremony in front of Janney Elementary before the start of the race at 9AM and a closing ceremony near the turf field behind Janney at approximately 10:30AM after the Fun Run concludes. Awards will be presented at the closing ceremony.

How can I register for the Janney 5K and Fun Run?

Click the "Sign Up" button up top or any of the registration tabs under "event info."

How much does it cost to register for the 5K and Fun Run?

• Early Registration - 5K:  $40; Fun Run:  $20 - Until Friday, October 3 @ 11:59PM
• Standard Registration - 5K:  $45; Fun Run:  $25 - From Saturday, October 4 through Friday, November 15 @ 6PM

The Janney 5K and Fun Run is a community event and we want everyone to be able to participate. If the registration fees are a challenge to afford, please reach out to Assistant Principal Niki.

PLEASE NOTE: If you register after Friday, October 18  we cannot guarantee you a shirt and, even if available, we cannot guarantee your sizes.

Can I register the morning of the race?

No, we are not offering registration the morning of the race.

After I register for the race, how do I pick up my race bib and swag bag?

We are hosting two dates and times for packet pick up at Janney Elementary

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13: 3:30pm – 6:00pm
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14: 3:30pm – 6:00pm

Please approach the gym from the diagonal stairs on the 42nd Street side and race tables should be just outside the gym (or inside depending on the weather).  Our volunteers will hand you (1) your race bibs with timing chips, (2) a bag filled with giveaways from our sponsors and (3) your family's race t-shirts.  

PLEASE NOTE: If you cannot make it to the packet pickup time, please make an arrangement with your friend/neighbor to pick up the packets for you.

Can I get a refund?

We do not offer refunds if you are unable to participate in the event or the event is cancelled that day or weekend due to weather or otherwise, because significant race costs have already been incurred, and we cannot support this event as a public school otherwise.  

How old do you have to be to do the 5K?

All ages are accepted. Typically, our Janney kids start running the 5K between 2nd-4th grade.  If it is their first time running a 5K, we recommend several practice runs to get them acclimated to longer distances.

Can I walk the 5K?

Of course!  All pace groups are accepted and welcome.  

Tell me about the Fun Run.

The Fun Run distance is 1 mile.  The Fun Run is for our youngest runners, usually through 1st or 2nd grade. 

Do I get a race bib?

Yes – when you pick up your race t-shirt and swag bag, you will also get your race bib.  It is essential that you bring your race bib to the live race in order to be timed properly.

What about photos?

We will rely on participants to upload their own race photos this year.  Go to www.janney5k.org and click on the photos tab.  From there you can add photos to your album. 

Will there be t-shirts this year?

Yes! We encourage you to wear your Janney 5K shirt when you run your race. Take pictures of you wearing it and send in your photo.  We encourage you to also wear previous year’s race shirts while you are training so we create a real sense of community.  Janney 5K t-shirts everywhere!

Where does the registration money go? 

The registration money is used to cover costs to run the race and the rest goes to our PTA to support our school community.  PTA funds are used to supplement the following:

Salaries for teachers and support staff positions (essential for our teaching and staffing model) 
Technology materials and support 
Textbooks, instructional materials, and basic supplies for classrooms 
Professional Development for teachers and staff 
Substitute teacher overlap days 
Custodial equipment and supplies 
Janney garden 

Do you still have a family sponsorship?

Yes!   Each family sponsorship costs $150.  

Family sponsorship can be done two ways. 

1. You can choose family sponsorship by going to www.janney5k.org and clicking on "Donate"
2. Add it to your race registration.  With this method, you will be asked how you would like to be acknowledged. Please choose "Other" and use the open field to indicate how you would like your family recognized.  For example, you may enter "Johnson Family" or "Ethan and Emily Johnson" to be listed on the back of the race t-shirt.

Will there be awards? 

Yes.  We will be doing our traditional awards for M/F in each age group, we will have different types of awards.  Award winners will be announced at the closing ceremony. 

 

 

Week #1 Training Tip:

Calling all Janney Jaguar runners and runners-to-be! Have you and your family committed to participating in Janney’s (Lucky Number) 13th Annual Janney 5K & Fun Run? We hope the answer is a resounding, YES! To start preparing for race day, please check out the Janney Family 5K Training Schedule, which is designed to prepare everyone from our youngest Jaguars to our more experienced runners in the training process. You will notice a combination of running and walking designed to build stamina and prepare you to run for about 30 minutes without stopping. All you need to get started is a pair of sneakers and a watch or timer. You can adjust the days of the week you run to fit your schedule, but be sure to include a few rest days and/or some cross-training (more information on the importance of both of those to come). Happy training!

Week #2 Training Tip:

The tip for the week is setting a family goal.  Use how you felt last week as a baseline to see where your family is. How easy or difficult was the training schedule? Make necessary adjustments. Set a goal for race day.  This could be as simple as completing the race or could be based around a specific time or amount of running/walking.  Post your training schedule and your goal somewhere visible to all at home.

Week #3 Training Tip:

Our training tip for this week has to do with nutrition.  Every experienced runner knows the importance of fueling up before a run and replacing calories you burned after. We are not here to provide diet or meal planning advice, but we did want to share some favorite pre- and post-run snacks. Before a run, try to focus on food that provides instant energy such as banana or apple with peanut butter, toast with avocado, pretzels and hummus, or even a piece of dark chocolate. Ideally you will eat your pre-run snack about an hour before your run. After a run you want to reload your muscles with fuel and your body with fluids. Try to eat something with carbohydrates and protein within 30 minutes of finishing your run. Some ideas include pita bread with hummus, trail mix with dried fruit, yogurt with granola and fruit, or the runner’s secret post-run treat: chocolate milk! Of course don’t forget to drink plenty of water.

Week #4 Training Tip:

This week marks the halfway point of our training program for the virtual Janney 5K. We hope you and your families have been enjoying getting out in the fresh air and slowly building up your mileage and stamina. An important part of training for any athletic event is being mindful of your body and how it feels. Being mindful involves paying attention to your breath and physical sensations, as well as how your emotions and thought processes are responding. Some tips for mindful running include:  engage all your senses, try some pre-run mindful breathing, pay attention to your thoughts, allow discomfort to be acknowledged, and take time to reflect at the finish line. 

Week #5 Training Tip:

The training tip for the week is about cross training. Now that we have built up our running stamina it is time to add in cross training if you have not already. Cross training is participating in two or more types of exercises or sports in order to improve your strength and performance in your main sport. As you are training for the Janney 5K it is important to take one or two days a week to do an alternative exercise to running such as yoga, biking, or weight training. Cross training has many benefits including increased strength, balance, and agility. It can make you a more well rounded athlete and focusing on different muscle groups may make you less prone to injuries. Cross training also alleviates some of the boredom that can result from doing the same exercise everyday. So grab your yoga mat, free weights (or cans of soups if that’s what’s available!), soccer ball, etc. and get moving on the cross-training days listed on our Janney 5K training schedule (click PDF below)!

Week #6 Training Tip:

Our training tip for the week has to do with stretching. Has all of your training been giving your sore muscles? If so, you might need to improve your stretching routine. There are two types of stretching: static and dynamic. Static stretching is where you extend muscles and hold them for a period of time. A key point to remember is not to do static stretching with cold muscles. If you are doing static stretching you should do a light warm-up jog and then take a quick stretch break before continuing with your run or save stretching for the end of your workout. Static stretches should be held for 15-30 seconds each and repeated 1 to 2 times on each leg or arm. Try not to bounce or pull too hard on any given muscle group. Some great static stretches for runners include the butterfly stretch or the quad stretch where you balance on one leg while pulling the foot of your other leg towards your glutes.  Dynamic stretching is when you add movement to your stretching to get your body warmed up. For dynamic stretching you include movements such as lunging or twisting and you do not hold your stretches for a period of time. Dynamic stretching is best used before running. Examples of dynamic stretches include hip circles, lunges with a side twist, leg pendulums (where you swing one leg back and forth while balancing on the other leg) and arm circles. Regardless of the type of stretching you choose make sure it is a daily part of your training routine (even on your rest days) in order to keep your body in top condition for race day!

Week #7 Training Tip:

Our training tip this week has to do with one of the best parts of training for a race: recovery! Taking time to let your body recover is a key part to being ready for race day. Recovery might take the form of a recovery run, cross-training, or skipping working out completely for the day. A recovery run is a flat, short, slow run done within 24 hours of a hard run. Recovery runs should be shorter than the previous hard run and completed at a pace that is 60 to 90 seconds slower than your typical mile pace. To determine if your pace is on target try the Talk Test. If you are unable to speak in complete sentences without panting, slow it down. We encourage a light jog on a recovery day as it can help to break up the lactic acid that builds in muscles after a strenuous workout leading to less muscle soreness. It will also get your blood flowing, which can reduce muscle stiffness. If you do a recovery run after your weekly long run or speed work out, it can help to improve your endurance and prepare you mentally for the race by experiencing the feeling of pushing through fatigue. So in these final weeks before race day, do not forget to add in 2 to 3 days of recovery to help your body be ready for peak performance November 19th.

Week #8 Training Tip:

And now for our final training tip!  This week you should taper your training, or lessen the number of miles or minutes you run in order to prepare your body to work extra hard on race day. The day before the race be sure to fuel up by planning out energy rich, but easily digestible, meals. Many runners like to carbo-load a day or two before a big race to increase glycogen levels, which can lead to greater energy reserves. You and your family may want to consider a pasta dinner the night before you plan to race. Be sure you are hydrating this week and getting a good night’s sleep, ideally 8 hours, before racing. On race day remember to dress in layers that you can easily remove as your body temperature increases and don’t forget to warmup and practice your usual stretching routine to avoid injuries. Finally, many runners choose a mantra to motivate them during races. Some examples you might want to try include: Think strong, be strong, run strong, One step at a time, or a Janney favorite, Go, Jaguars go! Happy racing! 

When is the Janney 5K & Fun Run?

The 2025 Janney 5K will be on Saturday, November 15 and begin at 9AM.  Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to ensure you make it to the starting line on time. The Fun Run will also be on Saturday, November 15 and begin at 10:00AM, immediately after the 5K concludes.  

How can I register for the Janney 5K and Fun Run?

Click the "Sign Up" button up top or any of the registration tabs under "event info."

How much does it cost to register for the Janney 5K and Fun Run?

• Early Registration - 5K:  $40; Fun Run:  $20 - Until Friday, October 3 @ 11:59PM
• Standard Registration - 5K:  $45; Fun Run:  $25 - From Tuesday, October  15 - Friday, November 15 @ 6PM

The Janney 5K and Fun Run is a community event, we want everyone to be able to participate. If the registration fees are a challenge to afford, please reach out to Assistant Principal Niki.

PLEASE NOTE: If you register after Friday, October 18, we cannot guarantee you a 5K t-shirt, and, even if available, we cannot guarantee your sizes.

Do you still have a family sponsorship?

Yes!  Each family sponsorship costs $120 and can be done in one of two ways. 

1. Choose the "Donations" tab above and select Family Sponsorship.
2. Add it during your race registration.

Please note that with either method, you will be asked who you would like your donation to be "on behalf of."  Please choose "Other" and use the open field to indicate how you would like your family recognized on the back of the race t-shirt.  For example, you may enter "Johnson Family" or "Ethan and Emily Johnson" and you will be listed this way on the back of the t-shirt with the other family sponsors. The default is "My Name."  If you do not change the default, the name of the person registering for the race will be used and listed on the t-shirt.

Will there be an opening and closing ceremony?

YES!  We host an opening ceremony in front of Janney Elementary immediately before the 5K race starts at 9AM, and a closing ceremony will be held near the turf field behind Janney at approximately 10:30AM after the Fun Run concludes.  Awards will be presented at the closing ceremony.

Can I register the morning of the race?

No, we are not offering registration the morning of the race.

After I register for the race, how do I pick up my race bib and swag bag?

We are hosting two dates and times for packet pick up at Janney Elementary:

• THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13: 3:30pm – 6:00pm
• FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14: 3:30pm – 6:00pm

Please come to the back of Janney. You do not need to bring anything to packet pick up. Our volunteers will hand you a bag filled with giveaways from our sponsors as well as your family's race t-shirts. We have teamed up with Janney Community Service Committee. Please scroll down to see the donation request.

PLEASE NOTE: If you cannot make it to either of the packet pickup times, please make an arrangement with your friend/neighbor to pick up the packets for you.

Can I get a refund?

We do not offer refunds if you are unable to participate in the event or the event is cancelled that day or weekend due to weather or otherwise, because significant race costs have already been incurred, and we cannot otherwise support this event as a public school.

Need more info?

We have more detailed information on our FAQs page.

Click here for the Janney 5K and Fun Run Route

 

Awards

There will be awards for top male and female runners, overall; top students and top teachers; and top runners in each age category.

Janney Elementary 5k: T-Shirt

Janney Elementary Fun Run: T-Shirt