Bloomsday

As the new school year approaches, it’s time to get ready for elementary cross country! Active4Youth – the official partner of our Jr. Bloomsday program – provides free after-school cross country programs for elementary students across the Greater Spokane Area, helping kids build confidence, health, and a love for staying active.

Participating in youth sports and regular exercise not only boosts physical fitness, but it also improves classroom focus, builds resilience, and helps kids develop lifelong teamwork and social skills.

Sign-ups are officially open, but don't wait! Registration closes during the second week of September (exact dates vary by school district).

Head over to active4youth.org today to register your student and learn more about their school's team schedule!

There is nothing quite like the warmth and energy of summer, especially when it comes wrapped in the smiles of our running community.

From early morning training miles to the triumphant crossing of the finish line, seeing the joy, determination, and connection on your faces is what makes this tradition so special year after year. Every smile tells a story of personal goals met, hurdles overcome, and memories made together.

Whether you're lacing up for a sunny morning jog, walking with family, or sporting your finisher shirt around town, we hope your summer is filled with reasons to keep smiling.

Which photo brings the biggest smile to your face today? Share your favorite summer running memories with us in the comments below!

Don Kardong may have finished fourth in the Olympic marathon, but his biggest legacy might be the race he brought to Spokane. Rachel Toor reflects on Kardong, Bloomsday and the community tradition that has become bigger than any one runner.

outthereoutdoors.com/don-kardong-bloomsday

📸Rachel Toor

SPONSORED: Your art. In your head. In your sketchbook. Then suddenly...EVERYWHERE. On the Centennial Trail. At the grocery store. At the airport. That's the Bloomsday Finisher Shirt. And in 2027, it could be yours. Design Contest is OPEN. Winner gets $1,000. Submissions due Sept 25. Enter at https://bloomsdayrun.org/finisher-shirt-design-contest/

❤️ $102,167 Donated. We Stand Together. ❤️

With your support, No-Li donated 100% of business sales until we reached our $50,000 commitment to Spokane Fire Relief.

Our community partners stepped up alongside us. Small and family-owned businesses, from right here in Spokane to across the country, contributed another $52,167.

Together, $102,167 donated to support our community.

To everyone who walked through our doors, bought a beer or bite, donated, shared stories, and stepped up alongside us, thank you. You made this possible.

Now comes the road forward: rebuilding, healing, and continuing to show up for one another.

We Are One Community. ❤️

❤️ The donations keep coming. ❤️

We’re incredibly grateful for our friends at Lilac Bloomsday Run for stepping up with a $5,000 community match to support Spokane families impacted by the fires.

For more than 50 years, Bloomsday has brought our community together, and once again they’ve risen to the occasion when Spokane needs it most.

Thanks to the generosity of so many, the H.O.M.E. Starts Here Fund has now raised more than $287,000, with clothing, food and supplies already being distributed directly to families affected by the fires.

More community partner donations to come ❤️

Following the recent wildfires that have impacted the Spokane area, we are reopening our donation portal in support of the Riverside State Park Foundation with the goal of raising $5,000, as well as offering replacement finisher shirts directly to those affected by the fires.

If you are in a position to give, we invite you to join us in supporting trail restoration and long-term preservation efforts for the park. To contribute, please visit our donation page here: https://bit.ly/3TDkkfd.

If your 2026 Finisher Shirt was lost in the fires, please visit our office so our team can verify your finisher status in person and assist you with a replacement. Replacements are subject to remaining size inventory but our team will work with you to find the best fit possible. We are located at 1414 N. Belt St., Spokane, WA, 99205 and will be open Monday - Thursday 9AM to 4PM, or Friday by appointment.

Our hearts go out to everyone affected, and we sincerely hope you and your loved ones are staying safe during this difficult time.