The events are absolutely FREE with no expectation of any donation. We absorb the cost of sanctions, liability insurance, port-a-jon rentals, first aid supplies, children's awards, equipment, etc, and host our free summer events as a way to give back to the community. Having said that, we have some participants each year that request to make a donation to our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and thus we are enabling here. All of our net proceeds go back into youth running and annual scholarship program for local high school seniors.