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Events

Adult

In-Person 5K (Includes Shirt)

$35 3:30PM EDT Registration ends September 13, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT
Ages 8 & Under

In-Person 5K (Includes Shirt & Cinch Bag)

$35 3:30PM EDT Registration ends September 13, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT
Open to ages 1 - 8.
Ages 8 & Under

In-Person 5K (Cinch Bag Only)

$20 3:30PM EDT Registration ends September 13, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT
Open to ages 1 - 8.
Adult

Virtual 5K (Includes Shirt)

$35 Registration ends September 13, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT
Ages 8 & Under

Virtual 5K (Includes Shirt & Cinch Bag)

$35 Registration ends September 13, 2025 at 11:59am EDT
Open to ages 1 - 8.
Ages 8 & Under

Virtual 5K (Cinch Bag Only)

$20 Registration ends September 13, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT
Open to ages 1 - 8.

Event Description

This year we are COMBINING two of our favorite events, the CHOOSE JOY on the Green and our 5K!  Melina always said, "It's NEVER ENOUGH!"  Well, now it's MORE!  An in-person 5K, a Virtual option, support from far and wide, AND... all the kid's fun!  Everything Melina loved - a party, a race, and JOY!  Help us fight for MORE than 4!  Help us find a cure for pediatric brain tumors.  Together this September we fight for JOY! 

Join us for the 6th annual "Choose Joy for Melina 5K and MORE, presented by the Melina Michelle Edenfield Foundation.

In-Person 5K:  Sunday, September 14th, 2025, at Canfield High School (100 Cardinal Drive, Canfield, Ohio 44406). Packet Pick-Up & Race Day Registration:  2:00pm-3:15pm.  5K start:  3:30pm.

Kids Fun Run (Ages 8 & Under):  Sunday, September 14th, 2025, at 5:00pm.  The 400 Meter Kids Fun Run is free and is one lap on the track.

Virtual 5K:  September 14th, 2025, through October 14th, 2025.  Packets may be shipped for $10 or participants can pick up their packets on Saturday, September 13th from 10:00am-12:00pm at the Hampton Inn Canfield (6690 Ironwood Blvd, Canfield, Ohio 44406). Virtual participants can submit their time to josh@gcxcracing.com or they can upload times through this website.  Click on the "Results" tab.  If you run a faster 5K time at any point thereafter, you may resubmit your time to be updated.

Choose Joy Day:  The free kids' event will take place from 2:00pm-6:00pm and open to all racers, guests, and everyone who is CHOOSING JOY!

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About the Non-Profit

The Melina Michelle Edenfield Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping find a cure for childhood brain cancer.  As a foundation, we are organizing the "The Choose Joy for Melina Fourth Annual 5K."  All proceeds from this event go directly to our foundation and we are hopeful that you will consider participating in the event.

On May 22, 2020, the lives of the Edenfield family changed in an unimaginable way, when their youngest of three daughters, Melina Michelle Edenfield — a joyful, energetic, and brilliant little four-year-old — was diagnosed with a deadly childhood brain tumor called Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG). Despite initial hope from the doctors that radiation treatment might extend her already limited prognosis, the tumor was one of the most aggressive the doctors had seen, and just a month and two days later — on June 24, 2020 — the tumor took sweet little Melina’s life. 

Upon Melina’s diagnosis, we learned that childhood cancer research is severely underfunded, receiving less than 3% of all money raised for cancer research.  Less than 1% of that total goes toward pediatric brain tumor funding, equating to only $500 per child diagnosed.  Our mission is to not only raise awareness, but to further fund the necessary research efforts in hopes of saving these wonderful children.

Melina loved her family, her older sisters, Emilea and Klara, “cheeto” (cheetah) print, and during the most difficult part of her and her family’s lives, Melina never lost her zest or passion for life.  She chose joy every day, and continues to inspire us all to do the same. Please consider racing, sponsoring, or donating to the ‘Choose Joy for Melina Virtual 5k’. We are dedicated to choosing joy for Melina, and we are dedicated to raising as much money as possible to further advance the research to cure pediatric brain tumors. We are greatly appreciative of your consideration. CHOOSE JOY!
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Contact Form

If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.

Event Location

P.O. Box 34
Canfield, OH 44406 US View Location on Map

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