Every year, people of all skill levels come from all over Park City with their friends and families to celebrate and promote The Park City School District by participating in Running with Ed(ucation), a relay-based race that stretches 28.6 miles across Park City.
Participants dress up in bright colors and costumes, have themed teams and bring a level of local spirit unheard of when discussing a typical school fundraiser. They cheer each other on, bring snacks and spark the kind of joyous enthusiasm that really only happens when a large group of people gathers with a common goal: to have fun and support each other.
Running with Ed has been a part of Park City culture for 17 years and is only growing in its impact on the Park City School District. It has evolved into a true cultural event. Running with Ed provides opportunities to build the community as well as help it. Last year, in 2025, Running with Ed had a massive participation of 950 people from all over Park City, comprising students, teachers, parents and other members of the community! They raised a total of $250,000.
From the student perspective, it gives an opportunity not only to support the schools but also to have meaningful experiences and build memories with friends and fellow classmates outside of the typical school day. Sydney Sato, a Park City High junior, has been participating in Running with Ed for the last three years.
Sato is part of the track and field team at Park City High, where her favorite event is the mile. She is also part of the cross country team, which she says is her main sport. Her love of distance running is part of why she enjoys the Running with Ed fundraiser, but she says there is a role for everyone.
“Every year, I get a group of my friends together to run it. It’s really fun, we get to dress up and come up with a theme, it’s a whole thing. It’s really nice because there’s something for everyone. I have friends who don’t like running, but they can do short legs or steering. I also have friends who are like crazy skiers or distance runners and there are sections for them, too.”
Sato went on to say that one of her favorite things about the event is how important it is to Park City.
“It’s amazing to see how big it is in the community and how vital it is to the culture. I think in a lot of places, school fundraisers aren’t that big of a deal, but here, Running with Ed is such a big event and I think that’s really cool to see.”
She also loves how inclusive it is for everyone. The relay segments in the race vary in distance and difficulty, but if running simply isn’t accessible, just as much fun is had joining the masses cheering from the sidelines or driving a support vehicle!
Sato’s favorite part of the race is the last leg.
“At the end, when you’re running back to the Rec Center, you’re running towards this big party where everyone is screaming for you and cheering you on. It’s such a fun moment, where you really feel this sense of accomplishment and community.”
Sato personally finds her stride in the longer race legs. As a distance runner, she often runs sections of up to twelve miles, where she is able to see all sorts of different terrain. Running with Ed covers ground all over Park City. The race offers trail sections as well as sections throughout town that provide the opportunity to connect with nature and the community itself.
Sato concluded by saying, “I think everyone should do it! I have really loved being a part of Running with Ed; it has such a large community aspect and that’s what makes it so fun. You get to wear costumes and eat food and there’s something for everyone to do, regardless of whether or not running is their thing.”
In 2026, Running with Ed is scheduled to take place on May 16th, with a fundraising goal of $300,000.
Running with Ed
- When: Saturday, May 16
- Where: Basine Recreation Fieldhouse, 1388 Center Drive
- Registration: runningwithed.com
- Web: pcef4kids.org