On September 27, nearly 350 community members, including DPS employees, families, sponsors, and district leaders, gathered at Berkeley Lake Park for a high-energy 5K and wellness celebration focused on supporting student success and educator and staff well-being.
What began as a district-led initiative to promote employee wellness grew into a vibrant, community-wide event. This year, the Denver Public Schools Foundation partnered with the DPS Employee Wellness Department and Centennial Elementary School to help expand the event into something even bigger, bringing together students, educators and staff, families, and community members for a day of fun, fitness, and connection.
“This isn’t just a run—it’s a celebration of our students, our schools, and the incredible people who make public education possible,” said Sara Hazel, President and CEO of the DPS Foundation. “There is something really powerful about a community coming together in support of our students and educators. We talk a lot about student success, and rightfully so—but that success is built on the strength and well-being of our educators. When we take care of our teachers and staff, we’re investing directly in the success of our students and our city.”
With students at the center of the day, this 5K was anything but ordinary. From North High School cheerleaders, to student volunteers and runners, to student photographers, and even a middle school student DJ (DJ Mello from the Denver DJ School) –the event was full of student-led energy and spirit. DPS employees received free race entry, t-shirts, swag bags, breakfast, and massages, while community members were able to register to join in the fun for $25. Thanks to generous sponsor support, this wellness celebration was accessible and meaningful for all.
Special thanks to Credit Union of Denver, a 5K sponsor, and VF Corporation, a Back to Class Bash sponsor, for helping make this event possible. Additional community partners including Convivo Café, Fleet Feet, Yoga Box, and Clean Your Dirty Face also donated goods and services to support participants.
This was more than a run—it was a celebration of what’s possible when a community comes together to support the health and well-being of our educators and students.
When speaking about the importance of supporting educator wellness, Cynthia Chico, MS, ACSM, Employee Wellness Program Manager said, “While student success is often the focus, teacher and overall staff well-being is just as critical. High stress and burnout contribute to poor performance, student outcomes, and school culture overall. When educators are supported and well, everyone benefits—yet personal wellness too often takes a backseat in education. DPS Employee Wellness loves working to prioritize the well-being of our DPS employees to foster collaboration, innovation, and a thriving learning environment and we were honored to have the support of the DPS Foundation this year to make wellness a Denver community activity and not just a DPS activity .”
“We’re proud to partner with the DPS Employee Wellness Department for this year’s 5K and are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this day possible. When we unite around education and wellness, we give our students the tools they need to thrive—and in doing so, we help our entire city flourish for years to come,” said Sara Hazel, President and CEO, Denver Public Schools Foundation.
