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, taking place in Atlanta, GA on Saturday, February 14 at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park.

All participants must register in advance; there will be no race-day registration.

All attendees will have the opportunity to fundraise. Registration is free for children under the age of 2.

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.
register today

Atlanta Gaza 5k Route

Atlanta Gaza 5k race Day Schedule:

Saturday, February 14, 2026

7:00 am - Gaza 5K packet and fundraising prize pick-up
8:30 am - Opening ceremony
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!
12: 00 pm - 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 February 14.

Schedule subject to minor changes.

NOTE FOR VIRTUAL REGISTRANTS:

Virtual walker/runner registration does not include access to the Atlanta Gaza 5K 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: Participants who register after February 9th will pick up their race bib on race day rather than during packet pick-up.

Packet Pick-Up Schedule: Details coming soon. There will be multiple packet pick-up days leading up to race day, typically a few days beforehand, at locations near the Gaza 5K event site.

  • The next Gaza 5K will take place in Atlanta, GA on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park.

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

    Virtual participation options are also available.

    Registration is limited, and once the event sells out, registration will close. There will be no on-site registration available at the park, so be sure to sign up early.available on-site at the park.

  • The main event hub for the Atlanta Gaza 5K will be located at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park. This is where the following activities will take place throughout the day:

    • Registration

    • Opening ceremony

    • Main stage

    • Food vendors

    • Closing and awards ceremony

    The 5K route (3.1 miles) will be a loop and will finish back at the event hub, where the main stage, food vendors, and awards ceremony will be waiting.

    Be sure to check the Atlanta Gaza 5K race route map above for a visual representation of the course 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: Participants who register after February 9th will pick up their race bib on race day rather than during packet pick-up.

    Packet Pick-Up Schedule: Details coming soon. There will be multiple packet pick-up days leading up to race day, typically a few days beforehand, at locations near the Gaza 5K event site.

  • The Atlanta Gaza 5K will take place at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park in Atlanta, GA. The park is centrally located and accessible by car, public transportation, and rideshare services.

    Free parking is available at Entrance 1 of Shirley Clarke Franklin Park (formerly Westside Reservoir Park); however, parking is limited. Please note that there are two entrances on Johnson Road, and Entrance 1 does not have the white arch. Event signage and volunteers will be on-site to help guide you.

    If you’re using public transportation or rideshare services, please plan to arrive early and allow extra time for drop-off and walking to the event hub.

    Additional details, including parking information and suggested drop-off locations, will be shared closer to race 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 Atlanta Gaza 5K race finishers will be awarded a medal. Be sure to finish early to secure yours!

2026 Gaza 5K FAQs: How It 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 great perks (some restrictions apply):

  • Registration: Includes a timed race bib to keep as a memento.

  • Raise $100+: Receive a 2026 Gaza 5K shirt designed by Lena Kassicieh.

  • Raise $250+: Receive an UNRWA USA tote bag.

  • Raise $500+: Receive a Gaza 5K sweatshirt.

  • Raise $1,000+: Receive all of the above, plus an Al-Ard gift box with exclusive goodies imported from Palestine.

  • Raise $2,500+: Receive a handmade tatreez piece.

  • Raise $5,000+: Receive all of the above, plus a beautiful olive wood dish set.


    Perks are subject to change based on availability.

  • $400,000 Atlanta Gaza 5K Fundraising Goal
    We aim to raise $400,000 to support UNRWA mental health counselors in Gaza and provide critical emergency assistance. The more you raise, the greater the impact we can make—so start fundraising today!

    No Fundraising Minimums
    There is no fundraising minimum required to walk or run in the 2026 Gaza 5K. That said, fundraising is the heart of our efforts and essential to maximizing our impact.

    Check out the fundraising prizes below to motivate you to take your fundraising to the next level.

  • 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.

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