The Hunger 5K is a fun, family-friendly way for people of all ages to help those in need. Proceeds benefit Matthew 25: Ministries’ work with the poorest of the poor and disaster victims in Greater Cincinnati, throughout the U.S., and around the world. Each year the race also kicks off the Hunger 5K Food Drive, which raises food products for local pantries and shelters.
Since the first Hunger 5K was held, more than 1 million pounds of food has been distributed to people in need in Greater Cincinnati.
Our Global Impact Program is a special opportunity for participants to go the extra mile and make an even greater impact! By pledging to become a monthly donor, you will be supporting Matthew 25: Ministries’ ongoing work with people in need and receive an exclusive collector’s edition medal, inspired by one of the many locations we serve around the world.
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Long-Sleeve T-Shirt
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Race Bib w/ Chip Timing
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Awards
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Post-Race Refreshments
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Chocolate Fountain
You may also register by printing a registration form and mailing it to Matthew 25: Ministries, or by visiting our facility to register in person. 2026 Registration Form Coming Soon!
*PLEASE NOTE: Virtual Option – Choosing this registration option indicates that you are unable to attend the event, but would like to receive a t-shirt in the mail after the race. Be sure to select your desired shirt size and provide your current postal address when completing the registration form. 2026 Registration Form Coming Soon!
**Military Discount – As a thank you for their service to our country, active military personnel and veterans have the opportunity to participate in the Hunger 5K for FREE! Simply use this complimentary code when registering online: LIBERTY24.
Awards
An Awards Tent will set up where participants can view their race results immediately and where runners with the top run times can receive their trophy and/or medal!
Awards to the first three male & female finishers (gun time)
Awards to the top three runners in each category (chip time)
Award categories are separated by gender, age, and Food Group!
- 14 & Under: Baby Lima Beans
- 15-18: Fast Food Fans
- 19-24: Energy Bars
- 25-29: Cool Cucumbers
- 30-34: Café Lattes
- 35-39: Bread and Butter
- 40-44: Lean Cuisine
- 45-49: Sweet Potatoes
- 50-54: Groovy Grapes
- 55-59: Bring Home the Bacon
- 60-64: Hot Tamales
- 65-69: Apples of our Eyes
- 70-79: Piece of Cake
- 80 & over: Cup of Tea
Packet Pickup
Participants are strongly encouraged to pick up their race packets (bib number, and t-shirt) prior to race day.
2026 Packet Pick-Up Dates Coming Soon!
Packet Pick-Up Location
Matthew 25: Ministries (please use Volunteer Entrance)
11060 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242
One person may pick up for the entire team. Please bring a list of all team members in order to cross-reference with our records.
Packets not picked up during the times above will be available in the registration tent on race day Saturday, November 2 starting at 7 AM.
Safety Policies
We are thrilled by the growing interest and participation in the Hunger 5K. In order to maintain the safest environment for all participants and guests, no bags will be permitted at this year’s event, except those essential to an individual’s health and medical wellness. Bags of this type are subject to search. Additionally, no firearms are permitted at the event, including on the property of Matthew 25: Ministries, event-sanctioned parking lots, and the course of the Hunger 5K.
Strollers are permitted in this event. All strollers and walkers are asked to please line up towards the back of the start line. Registration is not necessary for children in strollers unless you would like your child to receive any of the amenities from the race, including the race t-shirt (adult, unisex sizes only available).
For the safety of all participants, please do not bring non-essential sporting equipment such as frisbees, beach balls, footballs, or other similar items onto the course. Due to liability insurance restrictions, pets are not permitted on the course.
Volunteer Opportunities
Thank you for your interest in signing up as a volunteer for the Hunger 5K!
Volunteers help with a variety of different tasks, including:
- Registration
- Greeting
- Water Station Assistance
- Course Monitoring
- Volunteers must arrive at Matthew 25: Ministries (11060 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242) by 6:30 AM on Saturday, November 2. Please provide an address when signing the volunteer waiver so we can mail you a parking pass for the day of the event that will allow you closer parking due to road closures.
- Please note the road closures on our race website: hunger5k.org in the “Getting Around” section.
- Please dress in layers and bring a coat so that you can be comfortable in whichever place we most need your help (inside or outside). Tasks will be assigned that morning.
- Please note our “no bag” policy. Details available on hunger5k.org.
- Once you arrive, please visit the volunteer check-in area, located in Mrs. Yeaggy’s Kitchen.
Questions
For any questions regarding the Hunger 5K, including the race itself, the course, fundraising, online registration, volunteering, teams, or sponsorships, please contact Matthew 25: Ministries at hunger5k@m25m.org or 513-793-6256.
Course Map
The Hunger 5K is a course that starts and ends near Matthew 25: Ministries and loops through Blue Ash.
Strollers are permitted on the event course. Registration is not necessary for children in strollers, unless you would like your child to receive any of the amenities from the race, including the race t-shirt, goody bag or after-race refreshments.
PLEASE NOTE:
- For your safety and to be in compliance with course re-opening times, there will be a 2 hour finish pace limit.
- All strollers and walkers are asked to please line up towards the back of the start line.
Course Parking Map Coming Soon!
Directions
- Directions to Matthew 25: Ministries: Please visit our directions page.
- Directions to event parking at Ethicon Endo-Surgery: Take I-275 to exit 47 for Reed Hartman Highway. Head south onto Reed Hartman Hwy. Continue for approximately 1.9 miles. Turn right onto Creek Rd. Turn left onto McKinley Rd. Entrance to Ethicon Endo-Surgery will be on the left. Please see the Course & Parking Map to view available shuttle stop locations at Ethicon.
- Directions to event parking at CMC Properties: Take I-275 to exit 47 for Reed Hartman Highway. Head south onto Reed Hartman Hwy. Continue for approximately 1.5 miles. CMC Properties offices and parking lots are on the right hand side. No shuttles will run from this location. It is approximately a 0.6 mile walk to Matthew 25: Ministries from this parking lot.
- Directions to event parking at Fountain Pointe I & II: Take I-275 to exit 47 for Reed Hartman Highway. Head south onto Reed Hartman Hwy. Continue for approximately 1 mile. Turn right onto Cornell Rd. Take an immediate left into the Fountain Pointe I & II parking lots. Please see the Course & Parking Map to view available shuttle stop locations at Fountain Pointe I & II.
- Directions to event parking at Lake Forest Place: Take I-275 to exit 47 for Reed Hartman Highway. Head south onto Reed Hartman Hwy. Continue for approximately 2.2 miles. Turn right onto Glendale Milford Rd. Take the first right at the sign for Buffalo Wild Wings. Please see the Course & Parking Map to view available shuttle stop locations at Lake Forest Place.
- Directions to event parking at MarketVision Research Inc.: Take I-275 to exit 47 for Reed Hartman Highway. Head south onto Reed Hartman Hwy for approximately 2.2 miles. Turn left onto Glendale Milford Rd. Continue straight past City Barbeque onto Pfeiffer Rd. First parking lot on your right. Please see the Course & Parking Map to view available shuttle stop locations at MarketVision Research Inc.
Course Parking Map Coming Soon!
Road Closures & Event Parking
Please note that many roads surrounding the Hunger 5K race course will be closed for the safety of all race participants.
The list below details the road closures and times that will occur around the Hunger 5K race course on Saturday, November 2, 2024.
Roads closed at 4:30am:
- Kenwood Rd. between Osborne Blvd. and Cornell Rd.
- Ilmenau Way at Osborne Blvd.
Roads closed at 6:30am:
- Osborne Blvd.
- Ilmenau Way
Roads closed at 8:00am:
- Kenwood Rd. between Cornell Rd. and Creek Rd.
- Southbound Kenwood Rd. between Creek and Glendale Milford Rd.
- Westbound Glendale Milford Rd. between Kenwood Rd. and Reed Hartman Hwy.
- Northbound Reed Hartman Hwy. between Glendale-Milford Rd. and Cornell Rd.
- Cornell Rd. between Kenwood Rd. and Reed Hartman Hwy.
Temporary closures beginning at 8:00am:
- Creek Rd. between Kenwood Rd. and Reed Hartman Hwy.
- East Lake Forest Dr. between Glendale Milford and Reed Hartman Hwy.
There will be detours set up along with police officers at all major intersections during the race event. The police officers and service department will reopen the roadways to traffic as soon as possible in an effort to keep delays to a minimum. The Hunger 5K is anticipated to end by 10:30 AM and all road closures will be reopened after the close of the event, with the exception of Kenwood Rd. (between Cornell Rd. and Osborne Blvd.) Kenwood Rd. will be reopened to all traffic once all race participants have cleared the roadway and it is deemed safe to do so.
Matthew 25: Ministries’ lot will be closed to all general parking. For your own safety and as a courtesy to local businesses, please refrain from parking anywhere other than an event-sanctioned parking lot. Your car may be towed at your expense if you choose not to park in the designated event parking lots.
Event parking will be located at:
- Ethicon Endo-Surgery: 4545 Creek Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242.
FREE shuttles will run from this location. - Lake Forest Place: 4445 & 4555 Lake Forest Dr, Blue Ash, OH 45242.
FREE shuttles will run from this location. - Fountain Pointe I & II: 4665 & 4675 Cornell Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45241.
FREE shuttles will run from this location. - MarketVision Research Inc.: 5151 Pfeiffer Rd, Blue Ash, OH 45242
FREE shuttles will run from this location. - CMC Properties: 10925 Reed Hartman Highway, Blue Ash, OH 45242.
No shuttles will run from this location.
Course Parking Map Coming Soon!
Shuttle Info
Free shuttle service will be available from the Lake Forest Place, Fountain Pointe I & II, MarketVision Research Inc., and Ethicon parking lots. No shuttles will run from the CMC Properties parking lot. Please arrive early to allow for shuttle times, road closures and crowds.
Shuttles will run from 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM and then resume when Reed Hartman Highway reopens at approximately 9:30 AM. Shuttles will then continue to run until 11:15 AM.
The drop off location on Osborne Boulevard will require some additional walking to Matthew 25: Ministries.
Food Drive
The Hunger 5K kicks off the Hunger 5K Food Drive, which collects canned and non-perishable food for local food pantries and shelters. In total, the Hunger 5K Food Drive has raised over 1 million pounds of food for the hungry in Greater Cincinnati. Matthew 25: Ministries accepts donations from local individuals, groups, and organizations as well as bulk donations of food from corporate donors. Matthew 25 also welcomes financial gifts for the purchase of additional food staples.
HUNGER 5K FOOD DRIVE DONATIONS
You can help fight hunger here in our community by donating non-perishable food items to Matthew 25: Ministries!
- Bring non-perishable food items with you to the Hunger 5K Run/Walk. There will be donation receptacles available on race day.
- You can donate non-perishable food items to Matthew 25: Ministries. Our donation drop-off is located at 11083 Kenwood Road.
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