Registration Now Open for the 2026 ICF "In Their Shoes" 5K: Join us on August 29 and help change the lives of vulnerable children across Iraq.
Racers at the 2025 ICF “In Their Shoes” 5K
Registration is now open for the 2026 Iraqi Children Foundation "In Their Shoes" 5K, and we invite you to be part of this inspiring annual event: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/FairfaxStation/ICFGLOBALINTHEIRSHOES5K
Whether you walk or run with us in person at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax, Virginia, on Saturday, August 29, or participate virtually from anywhere in the world, every step you take helps provide education, healthcare, legal protection, nutrition, and other life-changing support to vulnerable children across Iraq.
Participants can register individually, join a team, create a fundraising page, or volunteer to help make this year's event our biggest yet.
"Every registration helps provide opportunities that many children in Iraq would otherwise never have," said Patricia Stakem, Executive Director of the Iraqi Children Foundation. "Whether someone walks, runs, volunteers, or fundraises, they are helping children access education, healthcare, legal protection, and the support they need to build brighter futures."
Every Step Makes a Difference
Funds raised through the 5K directly support ICF's locally led programs across Iraq, including our Hope Buses in Baghdad, Girls Centers in Mosul, and Disability Clinic in Fallujah.
Recently, our disability clinic provided care for children like:
Mohammed, a four-year-old receiving treatment for intellectual delays and recurring respiratory infections.
Sara, a fifteen-year-old living with cerebral atrophy who is receiving ongoing medical care and rehabilitation.
Ahmad, a thirteen-year-old with autism who is receiving both medical treatment and psychological support.
These children represent thousands whose lives are being transformed through access to healthcare, education, legal protection, and compassionate support.
Thank You to Our Supporters
This year's event is made possible through the generous support of our Corporate Sponsors, Annual Sponsors, Community Partners, and Honorary Co-Chairs, whose leadership and commitment help create brighter futures for vulnerable children.
2026 5K Sponsors
Amazon Military
Distribucorp
Objective Area Solutions
Semaisim Law
Omar's Hair Salon & Barbershop
2026 ICF Annual Sponsors
PepsiCo
Crescent Petroleum
Khudairi Group
Secure Care Network
Frontec Financial
L3Harris
Distribucorp
Al Nadir
Spectrum Integrated Solutions
AZKU Global Services
2026 Community Partners
Amazon Military
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
EPIC
The Iraqi American Forum
Warriors Ethos
The Children's Village
Team RWB
Piedmont Global
2026 Honorary Co-Chairs
General David Petraeus – Retired U.S. Army General
Ambassador Stuart Jones – Former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq and President, Middle East Institute
Ambassador Douglas Silliman – Former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq and President, Arab Gulf States Institute
Bob Woodruff – Award-Winning ABC News Correspondent
Dr. Jeremy Kohomban – President & CEO, The Children's Village
Ian McDuffie – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and Senior Manager, Amazon Global Military Affairs
Dr. Kyleanne Hunter – CEO, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
Zenovia Jafar – Miss Arab USA 2024 and ICF Global Ambassador
Andy Shallal – Artist, Restaurateur, and Founder & CEO of Busboys and Poets
Colonel Steve Miska (Ret.) – Retired U.S. Army Colonel, Author, and Founder of Baghdad Underground Railroad
We are also welcoming additional corporate sponsors. Sponsorship opportunities are available at a range of levels, offering businesses a meaningful way to invest in brighter futures for children across Iraq.
Whether you're walking, running, fundraising, volunteering, or cheering from the sidelines, your involvement helps children overcome poverty, conflict, displacement, and disability.
Register today, start a team, volunteer, or learn more about sponsorship opportunities and help us take another step toward a brighter future for Iraq's children.