8-12-2026 9:30pm

Move 100 Miles. Change a Child's Future.

Beth Callahan Editor

LOVELAND, OH – Every mile has the power to change a child's future.

CancerFree KIDS is inviting the community to lace up for the 2026 100 Mile Challenge presented by ProMach, returning September 1-30 in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The month-long fitness and fundraising challenge encourages participants to complete 100 miles in 30 days while raising at least $100 to support innovative childhood cancer research. Whether participants walk, run, bike, swim, skate, garden or stay active in another way, every mile and every dollar helps fund promising research that could lead to gentler, more effective treatments for children battling cancer.

"The 100 Mile Challenge is about proving that small steps can create extraordinary change," said Jill Brinck, Executive Director of CancerFree KIDS. "Every person who signs up becomes part of something much bigger than a fitness challenge. Together, we're funding research that gives children and families more hope for the future."

Since launching the Challenge, participants have helped fund groundbreaking pediatric cancer research while growing one of CancerFree KIDS' fastest-growing fundraising events. In 2025, the campaign raised more than $700,000 and participants collectively completed more than 209,000 miles, helping accelerate innovative research projects that may otherwise have gone unfunded. This year, CancerFree KIDS is setting an ambitious goal of raising $1 million to fund even more life-changing research at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Participants can register as individuals, create a Community Team with friends and family or compete in the Corporate Competition, bringing coworkers together around a shared goal. Four winning teams will earn the honor of having a 2026 CancerFree KIDS research grant named in their honor, recognizing the impact their fundraising has on advancing childhood cancer research.

The Challenge will kick off with a family-friendly celebration.

The Cincinnati Kickoff Party will take place Tuesday, Sept. 1 from 4-8 p.m. at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, featuring a first-mile walk with CancerFree KIDS Champions, a pickleball tournament, games and activities for the whole family. Register here or on-site.

Registration is $25 and includes:

Official 100 Mile Challenge T-shirt
Personal fundraising page
Month-long engagement activities and challenges
Access to Challenge resources and community activities
Opportunity to earn credit to purchase merchandise in the Pop Up Shop through fundraising
Sticker or magnet and the option to claim a finisher's medal for everyone who conquers the Challenge