A family-friendly event where candy, costumes and community come together for an unforgettable day, all while making a meaningful difference for families supported by the Fetal Health Foundation.
Candy has a magical way of bringing smiles to people of every age. Whether it's choosing your favorite sweet from a candy store or receiving a treat at just the right moment, it instantly creates joy. That's exactly what inspired The Great Candy Run.
Originally founded in 2003 as the Race for Hope, the event has grown into Denver's sweetest family tradition — bringing together runners, walkers, children, schools, families and friends for a colorful day filled with laughter, community and kindness.
Can an event called The Great Candy Run encourage a healthy lifestyle? Absolutely. By getting outside, moving together and sharing an active experience as a family, participants create healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
Giving Back
The Great Candy Run was created with a simple mission: to raise awareness and funding for families experiencing a fetal syndrome diagnosis. Every year, more than 800,000 families receive news that their unborn baby has been diagnosed with a fetal condition. Every registration helps provide hope, education, research and support for families when they need it most.
Founder & Race Director
Lonnie is the founder of The Great Candy Run, President of HAL Sports and Founder of the Fetal Health Foundation. With decades of experience delivering endurance events, he created the run to combine family fun with a meaningful cause.
Founder and Race Manager
An avid runner and proud mother of TTTS survivors, Michelle plays an essential role in creating the welcoming community atmosphere the run is known for. Her passion for helping families shines through every race day.
About The Fetal Health Foundation
The Great Candy Run proudly benefits the Fetal Health Foundation, a respected nonprofit dedicated to supporting families affected by fetal conditions and syndromes. The Foundation provides:
Family support
Research funding
Education & awareness
Expert connections
Global resources
If you'd like to learn more about the organization, explore family stories or discover how you can help, visit the links below.
Whether you're running for fun, creating family memories or supporting an incredible cause, we'd love to welcome you to Denver's Sweetest 5K.