Juneteenth Freedom Run/Walk

The Juneteenth Freedom 5K/5 Mile Run is an event that preserves history with significant meaning and direct community benefit. Juneteenth commemorates the day when 250,000 slaves in Texas were declared free. Our race began in 2021 when Juneteenth was designated a federal holiday and we are celebrating our 5th year! This year we are partnering with the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Iota Nu Lambda Chapter for their excellence in generating scholarships for college-bound youth and launching 4 scholarships from race profits.

The goods: All participants in the live and virtual races will receive a tech shirt and medal. The live 5K/5 Mile race will receive a bag with goodies and will be eligible for placement award trophies. We will offer cash prizes for breaking the course record for the 5K and 5 mile races.

The 5 Mile race is a 20-point race in the Central Valley Runner of the Year series.

The 5-mile run distance is twice the length that Opal Lee, the 96-year-old who is known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” walked to collect signatures to make Juneteenth a holiday. The initial 2.5 miles were a symbol that, in Texas, “the enslaved didn’t know they were free until two and a half years after the emancipation.” 

Competitive runners can shoot for breaking the course record and earning some cash. The record for fastest times belong to:

Anthony Cortes (2024), 27:44
Toni Espinoza Mundarain (2024), 38:01

Age group awards will be awarded to the top three males and females in each of the following age groups: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over.

Walkers and runners of all ages can enjoy the 5K distance. Competitive runners can shoot for breaking the course record and earning some cash. The record for fastest times belong to:

• Elijah Williams (2024), 16:47
• Erica Cuellar (2024), 21:43

Age group awards will be awarded to the top three males and females in each of the following age groups: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over.

Clickable Map Links

The Juneteenth Freedom Run will be held on the Clovis Trail, Starting at the

California Health Sciences University
120 N Clovis Ave, Clovis CA 

Located on the west side of Clovis Ave, North of Sierra

June 12th 5:00pm - 7:00pm
REI
7810 N Blackstone Ave
Fresno, CA  93720

June 13th  6:00AM to 7:00AM

This packet pick-up is mainly for out of town registrants. Bib pickup will close at 6:45AM for the 5 mile race and 7:00AM for the 5K race.

LOCATION:

California Health Sciences University
120 N Clovis Ave, Clovis CA

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we need to change the location of the race. 

The race will now take place in Clovis. The Start/Finish line will be located on the north side of the California Health Sciences University, on Clovis Avenue just north of Sierra Avenue.

The race will start and finish at the California Health Sciences University which has donated our new venue.

CHSU Campus 
120 N Clovis Avenue
Clovis, CA 93611

5k Course: 
Follow the course map as shown. Proceed north on the trail to Alluvial Avenue and turn around at the designated turnaround sign. Return south to the Highway 168 overpass, then turn right onto Spud's Spur. Continue to the turnaround sign, then retrace your steps back to the main trail.

Continue south on the trail until you reach the signs directing you into the alleyway. Follow the alley south to Sierra Avenue. Turn right onto Sierra Avenue, then turn right again to head north on the trail.
When you arrive at the finish arch, turn right and proceed through the finish chute to receive your official finish time.

5-Mile Course:
The 5-Mile Course begins by following the same route as the 5K Course. As you approach the finish line, do not enter the finish chute—you still have two miles to complete.

Continue north on the trail until you reach the 5-Mile Second Loop turnaround sign. Turn around at the sign and follow the same course route used during the first three miles. When you return to the finish arch, turn right and proceed through the finish chute to receive your official finish time.

You are invited to join us on June 13, 2026 for the fifth anniversary of the Juneteenth Freedom Run 5K/5Mi run/walk. Juneteenth is the African American community’s addendum to Independence Day. It is a nationally recognized and celebrated holiday which commemorates the notification of the Emancipation Proclamation to Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. The Fresno/Clovis community has been celebrating this historical moment for over 30 years. The run/walk is part of many Juneteenth celebration events in Fresno County. 

Proceeds from the race will continue to fund scholarships for college-bound youth. Applications open on 4/1/26 and close on 4/30/26.

• Finisher’s medal
• High quality Technical shirt 
• Tailwind Hydration along the course
• Fabulous race cheerleading
• Age group awards
• Cash awards for athletes who break race records
• Pancake breakfast

There are FREE trainings for the walk/run starting in mid April 2026. Wear comfy clothes to walk or run in, and bring water. Please arrive 15 minutes early to fill out the liability release form for the training.

Thursdays - Cottonwood Park in Clovis at 7:00pm starting on 4/23/26.
We'll meet at the SW corner of N Clovis Ave & Alluvial Ave, Clovis, CA 93612.
There is lots of free parking by the pond on Alluvial.

Saturdays - Woodward Park at 7:00am starting on 4/25/26. (will change as heat rises - updates on Instagram at juneteenth5k.5mi).
We'll meet at the entrance of N Fort Washington Rd & N Friant Rd, Fresno, CA 93730, inside the first parking lot, by the Art of Life sign.
Park admission is $5 and annual passes are $50 (buy at the kiosk or the City of Fresno parking office).

Thank you to the East Fresno Kiwanis for cooking a delicious pancake breakfast for race participants.

If you would like to help with this event, there are a number of ways to help:

• Any time: Share the race sign up link on your social media: https://www.juneteenthfreedomrun.com/
• April to May: If you know of a company that can sponsor, share the Race Director email with them (run4healthcoaching@gmail.com)
• June 1 to June 10: email the Race Director to make funny signs, help stuff goodie bags, or help with bib pick-up.
• Race day, June 13: help with bib pick-up, race day registration, holding funny signs near the finish line, or help with trophies.