Lee University will host the 2026 Cleveland 65 Roses 5K as part of the Great Strides event held to raise funds for a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF). This year’s event will mark the 25th anniversary of the Cleveland event and the celebratory finale on Lee’s campus. The race, along with the Great Strides Walk, will take place Saturday, March 28, and all proceeds will go to benefit the CF Foundation.   
 
“Each year those of us at Lee University are deeply humbled by the tremendous support given to the cause of cystic fibrosis through the events of the Great Strides Weekend,” said Dr. Bill Estes, dean of Lee University’s Helen DeVos College of Education and race director. “The enthusiasm in the Cleveland community for this event has been constant and truly reflects the City with Spirit. We are excited to gather once again on Lee’s campus in support of this cause and plan on this finale being nothing short of excellent.” 
 
The 65 Roses 5K run (3.1 miles) will begin and end in front of the Lee University Paul Conn Student Union, and all are welcome to run or walk the route. The 5K race/walk begins at 9 a.m., and the 1K Fun Run will take place at 9:30. Race winners will be announced at 9:45 and appear online via Lee’s Great Strides website. Special edition coffee mugs will be awarded to winners. 
 
Event day registration will begin at 7 a.m., but runners are encouraged to register early online. The cost to participate in the 65 Roses 5K race is $20 and the Fun Run cost is $5.  
 
“The 65 Roses 5K has meant so much to this community and to families living with cystic fibrosis,” said Leigh Ellington, executive director for the CF Foundation in Tennessee. “For 25 years, Lee University and the Cleveland community have shown what it looks like to come together with heart and purpose. We’re deeply grateful for everything this event has made possible. And as we celebrate this finale, I hope others feel inspired to create their own moments of impact—because every local event, big or small, brings us one step closer to a cure.” 
 
The Until It’s Done sponsors for this year’s 5K and Great Strides Walk are Paul and Darlia Conn.  
 
Elite sponsors include Bradley Medical Center, Chick-fil-A, Easy Auto, Eller & Owens Furniture, and Keller Williams Cleveland – Steve Black. 
 
Premier Plus sponsors are Builtwell Bank, Caldwell Paving & Grading, Don Ledford Automotive Center, Garden Plaza at Cleveland, Hardee’s, and Tri-Con, Inc. 
 
Premier sponsors include Beaty Fabricating, Inc., Cleveland Dental Associates – Dr. Ernie J. Oyler Jr., Crawford’s Pharmacy, First Horizon Foundation, and Pinnacle Financial Partners. 
 
Kilometer sponsors are Avail Senior Living, Brown Stove Works, Inc., EquiTitle Inc., and Ian Harper, CPA.  
 
Community sponsors include Cleveland Ford, Cleveland Utilities Authority, MurMaid Mattress, Inc., Tennessee Valley Urology Center, and Wedgewood Accounting, PLLC. 
 
Community partners for this year’s event are Karis Community Health and Terra Running. Patrons include Dos Bros Fresh Mexican Grill and Whit’s Frozen Custard of Cleveland. 
 
Media coverage for the 5K and walk is provided by Edge Billboards and Mix104.1 FM. 
 
Food from Sodexo and water from Food City have generously been donated in support of this event. 
 
CF grandparents, Jo Beth and Milton Boyer, have offered a $50,000 match for all event donations in honor of Lee’s final time hosting the event. All Cleveland Great Strides team fundraising will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $35,000, or when the match is completed, whichever comes first. And new or increased corporate sponsorships in support of Cleveland Great Strides and the 65 Roses 5K at Lee University will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000, or when the match is completed, whichever comes first. Donations received in excess of the matching goal of $50,000 will be used to support the CF Foundation’s mission.    
 
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a nonprofit donor-supported organization dedicated to attacking cystic fibrosis from every angle. Its focus is to support the development of new drugs to fight the disease, improve the quality of life for those with CF, and ultimately find a cure. Research is happening daily to find a cure and develop drugs available to those living with CF.   
 
For more information about the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, visit cff.org.   
 
For more information about how to host an event with the CF Foundation, please contact Ellington at [email protected] or Jolly Johnson at [email protected].    
 
For more information or to register for the Cleveland Great Strides Walk or 65 Roses 5K, visit leeuniversity.edu/great-strides or fundraise.cff.org/leeugs2026.