DFR's Race for Food Justice 2025🏃‍➡️🥬

Whether you're running the 2025 Colfax Marathon or cheering from the sidelines, we're thrilled to have you on our team as we race towards a more equitable food system in Denver!

Why We Run for Food Justice:

In the U.S., about 38% of food goes uneaten, wasting precious resources, labor, and producing harmful climate emissions. At the same time, 1 in 3 Denverites—over 300,000 neighbors—struggles to access consistent, nutritious meals. 

At Denver Food Rescue (DFR), we bridge this gap. Through our innovative 'food recovery model,' we partner with grocery stores, food retailers, and community leaders to rescue fresh, surplus food (often by e-bike!) and deliver it directly to 21 No Cost Grocery Programs (NCGPs). These programs are led by and for the community, offering culturally relevant, high-nutrient foods like fresh produce and perishables.  

What We've Achieved Together:

Since we were founded in 2014, we have

🥬  Recovered over 5.2 million pounds of fresh food  

🌎  Prevented 4,200 tons of CO₂ emissions  

💵  Saved Denver families over $15 million in grocery costs  

Your Participation Matters:

Being part of DFR’s team at the iconic Colfax Marathon helps spread our mission and brings more people into the movement for food justice. By running and fundraising, you’re not only raising vital funds but also amplifying our impact by sharing our story with your network.

Peer-to-peer fundraising is key to the success of our Colfax Marathon campaign. Every connection—whether it’s a family member, friend, or coworker—brings more awareness to the critical need for food justice and sustainable food systems in Denver. With your help, we can grow our community, fund our mission, and ensure everyone has access to fresh, nutritious food.  

How You Can Help:  

1️⃣ Register to Run: Sign up at RunColfax.org and choose Denver Food Rescue as your Charity Partner.  

2️⃣ Set Up a Fundraiser: Create a personal peer-to-peer campaign and set a goal that works for you. We've found that a goal of $250 (which recovers 50 lbs of fresh food) is a good place to start, but every dollar truly makes a difference. You are welcome to use the fundraiser template we've provided, or start from scratch. If you have any questions about setting up your fundraiser, please reach out to jasper@denverfoodrescue.org.

3️⃣ Share Your Story: Invite friends and family to make a donation to your campaign and support DFR’s mission.  

Every runner makes an impact, and peer-to-peer fundraising amplifies that impact exponentially. Together, we can create a food system where no one is left behind.

Let’s lace up, run with purpose, and make every mile count for food justice! 💚