Now in its twelfth year, the Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) 5K & Advocacy Fair is our largest annual event, bringing together hundreds of Central Ohioans in support of refugees and immigrants in our community.

Whether you’re a runner, walker, or a friend of CRIS, we would love for you to join us in downtown Columbus at Genoa Park on Saturday, October 4th, 2025, for a morning of fitness, food, and fun.

The CRIS mission is to help refugees and immigrants reach safety and stability, sustain self-sufficiency, and achieve successful integration into the Central Ohio community.   

CRIS is an independent non-profit organization that serves the growing refugee and immigrant populations in Central Ohio. Our various programs have dedicated staff members from around the world who speak many different languages. Among other things, we are a refugee resettlement agency, meaning we have a contract with the Department of State to directly receive and place refugees in our community. In partnership with Church World Service, we resettle individuals and families from all over the world.

Join us at our live and in-person event on Saturday, October 4, or virtually between Saturday, October 4, and Sunday, October 5, 2025, to complete your 5K run or walk as we celebrate our mission and our community.