I Ran the D 5K

I Ran the D is an annual 5K race that celebrates Detroit’s deep-rooted sports culture while promoting health and wellness in the community. Bringing together some of the world’s most passionate sports fans, the race supports programs that strengthen local youth initiatives and create lasting community impact.

Proceeds from the race directly benefit the Detroit Sports Commission’s Living Legacy Initiative, which focuses on advancing youth literacy, promoting active lifestyles for young people, and expanding access and pathways for girls in sports.

Since its inception in 2001, the Detroit Sports Commission has played a pivotal role in strengthening the region’s economy by attracting and hosting hundreds of regional, national, and international sporting events — including the 2024 NFL Draft and the upcoming 2027 NCAA Men’s Final Four — while ensuring all events deliver long-term community benefits.

The Detroit Sports Commission’s Living Legacy Initiative ensures that every sporting event hosted in the region leaves a positive impact on the local community. To date, the Living Legacy Initiative has invested more than $1.7 million into local programs across Detroit.

The I Ran the D 5k course offers runners a one-of-a-kind experience, weaving its way through downtown Detroit’s most famous landmarks, starting at Comerica Park, winding through the historic streets of Brush Park, and past Ford Field, before finishing back at Comerica Park, where runners can take a victory lap inside the ballpark around the outfield wall. 

Registration includes a unique race experience through downtown Detroit, a custom hooded long-sleeve running shirt with all four Detroit pro sports teams, a custom bib, and a finisher’s medal.