DanceBlue announces Chasing After Joy 5K
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 15, 2026) — DanceBlue is off to the races with its Chasing After Joy 5K. The annual event will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18, at UK’s Alumni Commons, between Columbia Avenue and Huguelet Drive.
Participants are invited to run or walk alongside the DanceBlue committee, family and friends in support of the DanceBlue Hematology/Oncology Clinic at Golisano Children’s at UK.
Race registration is open online through Oct. 11.
This year, participants aren’t just racing towards a finish line, they’re “Chasing after JOY.” Inspired by the excitement and tradition of horse racing in the Commonwealth, the theme celebrates the joy that brings the DanceBlue community together, while also celebrating the legacy of Jarrett Mynear, a UK Golisano Children’s pediatric cancer patient who established the philanthropic organization Jarrett’s Joy Cart before his death in 2002 at age 13. His final request was to “do something to help” the hematology/oncology clinic.
Each mile participants run during the 5K will be a different letter to the acronym JOY.
“J” represents Mynear’s legacy, “O” represents our impacts in the community and “Y” on doing your part in seeing joy prevail.
“We invite the community to come with us to chase after a cause and legacy that has been uniting the state of Kentucky for decades,” said Julianne Graham, DanceBlue operations chair. “We all have a part to play in seeing joy prevail. Whether you’re a runner, walker, student, alum, part of a mini marathon, corporate sponsor, clinic family and staff, or just a member of the community, we want your support.”
The DanceBlue 5K is one of many events held throughout the year that culminate in DanceBlue’s annual 24-hour dance marathon. Funds raised from the marathon support the DanceBlue Hematology/Oncology Clinic at UK Golisano Children’s. Since the marathon began in 2006, DanceBlue has raised more than $27 million to support pediatric cancer patients and their families, and is one of the largest student-run philanthropies in the Southeastern Conference.
Registration Details:
Standard Registration: Sept. 1-Oct. 4
$34.46 for UK students
$45.25 for UK faculty, staff and community members
Late Registration: Oct. 5-11
$39.85 for UK students
$50.64 for UK faculty, staff and community members
For students participating in the 2027 DanceBlue Marathon, 5K registration is worth 20 Spirit Points. T-shirts and sizes are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
To learn more about the DanceBlue Chasing After Joy 5K and to register, visit DanceBlue’s website at danceblue.org, or contact Graham at operations@danceblue.org.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.