2026 Rochester River Run 5K
Run, Walk, or Pledge Support for Transplant Patients at the 25th Annual River Run/Walk 5K
The Rochester River Run/Walk 5K—Sunday, April 19 at Genesee Valley Park—is celebrating its 25th year raising funds in support of patients awaiting or recovering from organ transplant surgery at Strong Memorial Hospital. Individuals and teams are invited to sign up to run, walk, or pledge their support at RiverRun.urmc.edu.Registration and packet pick-up will begin at 8:30 at the roundhouse shelter. Hundreds of participants will begin racing the scenic Genesee River at 10:30—following the Genesee River along a newly updated course. Award presentation will commence at 11:30 a.m. and a ceremony commemorating past donors and transplant recipients will begin at 11:45 a.m.
UR Medicine’s Solid Organ Transplant program each year serves hundreds of heart, liver, pancreas, and kidney patients from across Western New York, the Southern Tier and beyond. In addition to current transplant recipients, Strong provides ongoing care for patients who continue coming to Rochester for medical care related to their transplant. All proceeds from the River Run go directly to benefit these transplant patients and living donors, who often need emergency financial assistance while they await or recover from surgery. More than $365,000 has been raised since the event’s inception in 2001.
“For 25 years, the Rochester River Run has brought together patients, donor families, caregivers, and community members to celebrate the gift of life and support those on the transplant journey,” said Nancy Metzler, transplant program administrator and River Run organizer. “This milestone reflects the incredible generosity of our community and the resilience of the patients and families we support.”The River Run, in acknowledgement of National Donate Life Month, also strives to bring greater awareness to the ongoing need for and importance of signing up for the New York State Organ Donor Registry, while honoring organ transplant recipients, living donors and members of donor families.
Pledge your support for a team or an individual—or register to participate—at RiverRun.urmc.edu. Children are welcome to attend this family-friendly event. The top three overall runners in each gender category will be recognized with awards. Attendees can also enter gift basket sweepstakes showcasing multiple deluxe, themed gift baskets to help raise additional funds for transplant patients.
The Rochester River Run is organized by UR Medicine’s transplant team, together with Friends of Strong. Join us for this meaningful event that makes a huge difference in the lives of our transplant patients and families! Call Friends of Strong at (585) 275-2420 or email rochesterriverrun@urmc.rochester.edu for more information.
Emily A. Teitsworth | 3/11/2026
