Event details

+ faqs

Move for refugee mental health
at UNRWA USA’s Gaza 5K walk/run

The Gaza 5K is an annual walk/run hosted by UNRWA USA that brings together members of the American community to show solidarity with Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip.

Sign up for the next Gaza 5K, happening Sunday, October 12, at Prospect Park’s Nethermead Lawn (click here for map)
(not the Grecian Shelter/Peristyle) in Brooklyn, New York.

Everyone must register in advance.

There is NO race-day registration. All attendees will be given the opportunity to fundraise. Registration for children under age 2 is free.

Woman running in a marathon, smiling, making a victory sign with her left hand, wearing a headscarf, a white marathon shirt with a bib number 527, and pink running shoes.
sold out — donate

NYC Gaza 5K Route

NYC race Day Schedule:

Sunday, October 12th, 2025

7:00 am - Gaza 5K packet and fundraising prize pick-up
8:30 am - Opening ceremony
8:45 am - Begin walk to starting line (.5 mile walk)
9:00 am - Race begins!
9:45 am - Awards ceremony for top 3 finishers
10:00 am - Closing ceremony with more awards, followed by dabke dancing!
***Medals awarded to the top 2,000 finishers
11:30 am - Event ends

The race will begin promptly at 9 am. To avoid delays and long lines, we recommend picking up your race bib at our pre-race packet pick-up sites prior to October 12th.

Schedule subject to minor changes.

NOTE FOR VIRTUAL REGISTRANTS:

Virtual walker/runner registration does not include access to the NYC event. You will receive additional information in a separate email.

packet pick-ups

You can skip long lines, avoid crowding, and save time on race day by picking up your packet in advance during the week of the Gaza 5K.

Your packet includes:

Picking up early also means you’ll get a little extra sleep on race day—so you can head straight to the fun!

Important: If you sign up after October 7, you’ll pick up your race bib on race day rather than during packet pick-up.

Packet Pick-Up Schedule:

  • The next Gaza 5K is taking place Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Nethermead Lawn (new location), Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York

  • You can register for yourself and your family all at once using this link.

    Virtual options are also available.

    Once we sell out, you will no longer be able to register, so sign up early. There will be NO registrations available on-site at the park.

  • The main event hub for the NYC Gaza 5K is at Nethermead Meadow (new location), Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York. This is where:

    • Registration

    • Opening ceremony

    • Main stage

    • Food vendors

    • Closing/Award ceremony
      will all take place throughout the day.

    After the opening ceremony at Nethermead Meadow, we will walk 0.5 miles together as a warm-up to the official starting line at Nellie’s Lawn.

    The 5K route (3.1 miles) will begin at Nellie’s Lawn and finish back at Nethermead Meadow, where the main stage, vendors, and the award ceremony will be waiting.

    Be sure to check the NYC Gaza 5K race route map above for a visual representation of the route and event locations.

  • You can skip long lines, avoid crowding, and save time on race day by picking up your packet in advance during the week of the Gaza 5K.

    Your packet includes:

    Picking up early also means you’ll get a little extra sleep on race day—so you can head straight to the fun!

    Important: If you sign up after October 7, you’ll pick up your race bib on race day rather than during packet pickup.

    Packet Pick-Up Schedule:

  • IMPORTANT: THIS EVENT IS NOT TAKING PLACE AT THE GRECIAN SHELTER/PERISTYLE LIKE YEARS PAST. IT IS TAKING PLACE AT NETHERMEAD (NEW LOCATION).

    • Subway:
      The closest subway stations are:

      • Q line: Prospect Park Station

      • F/G lines: 15th Street–Prospect Park Station
        Both are a short walk from the park entrances leading to Nethermead Lawn.

    • Bus:
      Several MTA bus lines stop near the park entrances. Check the MTA Trip Planner for the best route.

    • Rideshare or Driving:
      Use Nethermead Lawn, Prospect Park as the destination in your map app.

    • Parking Garages/Lots:
      There are multiple parking garages nearby, such as AirGarage, Parkside Garage LLC, Prompt Parking, and others. Plan ahead as lots may fill up quickly on event day.

  • Look for our emails and/or follow UNRWA USA on social media for real-time updates!

  • Storage space for personal items is not available at the park, so please leave your valuables at home.

  • No. The first 2,000 NYC Gaza 5K race finishers will be awarded a medal. Be sure to finish early to secure yours!

2025 Gaza 5K faqs —

how everything works

Registration + Donations

  • You can register as an individual or as a team and set up your fundraising page through Classy!

    If you have any issues, please call (202) 223-3767, and we can assist you by phone.

  • Registration includes full access to the event, a race bib with your assigned number, hot coffee, breakfast foods, the chance to win fantastic fundraising prizes, and a dabke dance party following the race!

  • No. Gaza 5K registration fees are not tax-deductible, however, any donations that you make to your own fundraising page may be tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. 

  • Of course! You can register as a virtual runner/walker and start raising funds!

    You can also donate to any team or individual via the registration page.

Collection of Gaza 2025 merchandise and items, including a T-shirt with people illustration, tote bag with show Palestine message, black hoodie with Gaza 5K design, food products, wooden utensils, and a cardboard box.

2025 Gaza 5K Fundraising + PRIZES

If you meet certain fundraising levels,

we offer some pretty cool perks (some restrictions apply):

  • Raise $100+ and receive a Gaza 5K shirt designed by Rasha Tabbalat

  • Raise $250+ for an UNRWA USA tote bag

  • Raise $500+ for a 2025 Gaza 5K sweatshirt

  • Raise $2,500+ for all of the above, plus an Al-Ard gift box with exclusive goodies imported from Palestine

  • Raise $5,000+ for all of the above, plus a beautiful Olive Wood dish set

    Perks are subject to change based on availability.

  • $1 million fundraising goal: We aim to raise $1 million to employ UNRWA mental health counselors in Gaza and provide emergency assistance. The more you raise, the more we can do! Start now.

    No fundraising minimums: The 2025 Gaza 5K does not have a fundraising minimum to walk or run, but fundraising is the key to our efforts and impact.

    Check out these prizes to encourage you to be at the top of your fundraising game

  • When you register, a fundraising page will automatically be created for you. Login to your page via login.classy.org and use these resources to help kickstart your fundraising.

  • Competitive awards will be given to the top female and male runners in the following age categories: 1-12, 13-19, 20-39, 40-59, and 60+.

  • The only way to earn fundraising prizes is if you raise the money through your personal, individual Gaza 5K fundraising page (i.e. not your team).

A diverse group of nine people at a park during daytime, participating in a running or awareness event for Palestinian refugees. They are smiling, holding signs, and standing in front of a blue canopy tent with banners and logos, indicating support for Palestine and mental health care.

Gaza 5K FUNDRAISING Teams

Yes! As they say, two heads are better than one. This can also be the case when it comes to online fundraising. While every individual effort counts, sometimes it is best to combine forces, squad up, and become part of something bigger.

There are two different ways you can fundraise as a team:

  1. Create your own team — choose this option when you hit the registration button.

  2. Join a team — if a team already exists that you want to join, you can pick it up when you register.


    If you choose to fundraise as an individual and forget to join or create your team, don’t worry! You will still have the option to join or create a team once you have created your personal fundraising page.

Can I make my own fundraising team?

General Gaza 5K FAQs

  • A 5-kilometer (5K) course measures 3.1 miles long.

  • Yes, the race is professionally timed for all participants.

  • Yes, the 5K is open to runners and walkers alike! Bring the whole family, even your furry four-legged family members. Strollers are welcome! Unfortunately, however, Parks Department regulations do not allow participants to ride bikes on the 5K course.

  • No, volunteers are not allowed to be registered participants. If you’re interested in volunteering, apply here.

  • As this is a charitable event, NO REFUNDS will be issued for the Gaza 5K.

  • Yes. If you're registered for the race, you must communicate this to the UNRWA USA staff by email at least five (5) days prior to the race. 

  • No, unfortunately, due to park rules no solicitation of any kind is allowed at the Gaza 5K.

What if I have a question
that is not answered here?

For any unanswered questions, email info@unrwausa.org