The 13th Annual Greta’s Run for Imagine will take place on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Roosevelt Intermediate School in Westfield, New Jersey. This year’s event will feature a USATF-certified 5K race at 9:00AM, followed by a Kids Fun Run at 10:00AM and conclude with a Memory Walk at 10:30AM. History of the Event Greta’s Run was founded in 2012 in memory of Greta Schoenemann, a Westfield High School freshman who tragically died after sustaining injuries when a tree branch fell on her and her classmates during lunch. In 2019, Greta’s Run was proudly inherited by Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, and continues with the support of the Schoenemann family and the greater Westfield community. Each year, participants run in memory of Greta and the many loved ones our community has lost, helping to honor their stories and keep their legacies alive. Last year, thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, Greta’s Run raised over $250,000—an extraordinary achievement that directly supported Imagine’s free programs and services. As the demand for grief support continues to grow, so does our commitment to meeting the needs of our community. This year, we hope to raise $300,000 to allow Imagine to open additional Nights of Support, ensuring that even more children, families, and community members have access to the care they need. About Imagine Imagine, located in both Mountainside and Newark, NJ, provides FREE, year-round peer grief support groups for children and families coping with the death of a parent, sibling, or child. According to a 2025 study conducted by the Childhood Bereavement Estimate Model, 151,000 children in New Jersey will experience the loss of a parent or sibling before the age of 18—a number that more than doubles to 365,000 by age 25. Our work focuses on transforming grief into resilience, empathy, and compassion, ensuring that young people grow up emotionally healthy and able to lead meaningful and productive lives. In addition to support groups
| Distance | Price | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5K | $35.00 | Jan 21 | May 8 |
| $40.00 | May 9 | May 17 | |
| 200 Yards | $15.00 | Jan 21 | May 8 |
| $20.00 | May 9 | May 17 | |
| 966m | $20.00 | Jan 21 | May 8 |
| $25.00 | May 9 | May 17 |
| Year | Finishers | Median Time | Fastest Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 842 | 33:27 | 15:33 |
| 2024 | 676 | 33:13 | 17:22 |
| 2023 | 515 | 32:26 | 16:09 |
Interested in this race?
Pick up your bib and t-shirt ahead of time at Fleet Feet in Westfield! Bib and t-shirt pick-up will be available on event day as well near the Same Day Registration tent starting at 7:45AM on Sunday, May 17. Location: Fleet Feet Westfield 123 Quimby Street Westfield, NJ 07090 Early Pick-up Times: Friday, May 15 @ 4pm - 7pm Saturday, May 16 @ 9am* - 2pm *Fleet Feet will be opening an hour early just for Greta's Run bib and t-shirt pick up!
Registration Opens 7:45 AM: Check-in at Roosevelt Intermediate School Welcome & National Anthem 8:45 AM: Welcome from Lindsay Schambach 8:50 AM: National Anthem Start Times 8:55 AM: Wheelchair Racers Start 9:00 AM: 5K Starts 9:30 AM: 5K Awards @ Imagine Tent Stage 10:00 AM: Kids Fun Run Starts 10:30 AM: Memory Walk Starts @ Imagine Tent Stage Closing 11:00 AM: Dove Release @ Imagine Tent Stage