Registration will open soon for the 2026 Rotary Club of Westerville Independence Day 5k!

Our honorees this year will be Children of Valor (formerly “Seal Kids”) .

Registration is $35 per registrant for general public and $25 for First Responders, Active Military and Veterans.

Family discount

Families can take advantage of our multiple-person registration discount as well: Registrations of three people or more get a $5 discount on each registration – whether before or after the Early Bird pricing ends.

All 5K participants receive a Rotary Club of Westerville Independence Day T-shirt and finisher medal.

Kids Fun Run

Again this year, we will conduct our Kids Fun Run prior to the 8 a.m. start of the 5K Walk/Run. Children 11 and under are invited to participate. The Fun Run is a 100-yard dash for children 7 and younger; and 200-yards for children 8-11.

Fun Run registration is $10, and entrants receive their own race medal. (Race shirts for Fun Run participants are available for a small additional charge. Look for the option in registration.)

2026 event schedule

7:30 a.m.     Pre-race Tribute Ceremony to Veterans and First Responders

7:45 a.m.     Kids Fun Run for young children (100-yard dash for 7 and under; 200-yard dash for 8-11)

8 a.m.           5K Run-Walk start

Wear your swag with pride

Start your July 4^th with the Rotary 5K, then wear your race shirt or medal to the Rotary Club of Westerville’s full day of patriotic celebration in Westerville: the State Street Independence Day Parade at 10:30 a.m., the Free Concert Series & Foodtruck Festival from 5-10 p.m., and the big fireworks display at 10!

2026 Honoree Organization

Our honoree organization for the 2026 Rotary Club of Westerville Independence Day 5K is “Children of Valor” formerly “Seal Kids”

Children of Valor is the only nonprofit solely dedicated to delivering consistent, expert, and tactical academic and developmental support to the children of U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF). We offer immediate, personalized services that move with the family—bridging the educational and emotional gaps created by the high demands of SOF life.

With trusted partnerships, proven outcomes, and programs built for mobility, we empower SOF children to succeed—no matter where they serve or how often they move.

From tutoring and learning disability support (e.g., dyslexia, ADHD) to cognitive testing and IEP advocacy, we deliver flexible, child-centered interventions.

Plans are coming together for the 2026 Rotary July 4th Veterans 5K Walk-Run.

The race will be held on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at the Westerville Sports Complex, 325 N. Cleveland Ave. Our annual tribute ceremony to Veterans will start the festivities at 7:30 a.m., followed by our Kids Fun Run dashes at 7:45, and the 5K start at 8 a.m.

Discounts will be offered for early bird registration through June 1, for Veterans, for First Responders, and families (registering 3 or more participants).

Our honoree organization for the 2025 Rotary Club of Westerville Independence Day 5K is “Children of Valor”

Children of Valor is the only nonprofit solely dedicated to delivering consistent, expert, and tactical academic and developmental support to the children of U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF). We offer immediate, personalized services that move with the family—bridging the educational and emotional gaps created by the high demands of SOF life.

With trusted partnerships, proven outcomes, and programs built for mobility, we empower SOF children to succeed—no matter where they serve or how often they move.

From tutoring and learning disability support (e.g., dyslexia, ADHD) to cognitive testing and IEP advocacy, we deliver flexible, child-centered interventions.

Check back soon for live registration links!

PLATINUM sponsors

• Buckeye Media Services

• Central Ohio Primary Care Physicians

• Payne & Brown Insurance/Auto-Owners Insurance

• Roush Hardware

• The Dave Read Family

• Worthington Industries

GOLD sponsors

• Caxton Printing

• Gerber Collision & Glass

• Hill Funeral Home

• Lakeshore Cryotonics

• RKE Trucking Company/DELCO Diesel

• Worthington Moose Lodge 1427

SILVER sponsors

• Best Impression Painting

• Cheryl's Cookies

• Danbury Senior Living

• Giant Eagle

• Kroger

• Nationwide Children's Hospital

• Nichols & Company CPAs

• Orthopedic One

• Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WARM)