Cupcake Run/Walk for Public Education
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT
- Type
- Run
Finish signup on the organizer site (check fees and dates there).
Race feel
Run for a cause with the Cupcake Run, supporting local public schools and celebrating teachers in West Lafayette.
- Competitive
- Quirky
- For a Cause
Competitive
Quirky
For a CauseJoin the 11th annual Cupcake Run/Walk in West Lafayette, supporting the Public Schools Foundation of Tippecanoe County. This event champions excellence in education by funding grants for teachers and providing equipment to schools through team participation. Runners can choose their shirt color from a new scheme each year and teachers have a chance to win a prize in the Fastest Teacher Contest. It's a wonderful way to contribute to local schools while enjoying a 10K.
What to expect
- Participate in the 10K run/walk, contributing to local public education initiatives.
- Select your preferred shirt color from a new scheme each year.
Past race snapshot
What the field usually feels like
A plain-English read from past public results. It is helpful context, not a prediction.
Past result sets can use different distance labels by year. Choose the distance version first, then pick from the years available for that version.
Crowd
Comfortable field
341 5K finishers in 2024. A manageable crowd with enough runners for company on course.
Typical finish
39:10
Think middle-of-the-pack, using chip time when available.
Competitive feel
Speedy front
There is real pace up front, even if the overall field is broad. Front-group read: 22:39.
People mix
More women
About 63% women and 36% men among finishers who listed gender.
Quick read
For the 5K in 2024, this looks like a comfortable field: 341 finishers are represented here. A middle-of-the-pack finish was around 39:10. The quicker front of the field averaged about 22:39. Use it as a feel check, not a promise about race day.
Where runners came from
Aggregated city counts only. Small groups stay hidden in public views.
Lafayette, IN
Travel draw
West Lafayette, IN
Close-to-home draw
Monticello, IN
Travel draw
Crawfordsville, IN
Travel draw
Frankfort, IN
Travel draw
Award clues
Historic placement clues only. Race-day awards can use different rules.
Female 1-12
Top 3 (from posted divisions)
Female 13-19
Top 3 (from posted divisions)
Female 20-29
Top 3 (from posted divisions)
Female 30-39
Top 3 (from posted divisions)
Female 40-49
Top 3 (from posted divisions)
Show the year-by-year numbers
| Distance | Year | Finishers | Typical | Average | Front 10% | Fastest M / W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5K | 2024 | 341 | 39:10 | 41:07 | 22:39 | 18:22 / 20:22 |
| 10K | 2025 | 102 | 1:01:15 | 1:02:17 | 44:25 | 39:30 / 43:54 |
Last summary update: May 2, 2026
From the organizer
Welcome to the 11th year of the Cupcake Run!
Color scheme: Race veterans know we launch a new color scheme each year. This year, there are two featured colors and you can choose which color you want for your shirt. Are you a " heather indigo " or a " heather oatmeal " type of person? You can preview the shirt color choices when you register. All volunteers will receive a " heather cardinal " shirt.
Last year we launched TEAMS as a way to give back to schools and promote a healthy community. For every ten-member team, $100 is provided to a school to purchase recess and P.E. equipment. Last year, 20 schools benefited from this challenge! We encourage participants to form a team and appoint a team captain who will name and register the team and share the team name with other participants. Each team can select a school to sponsor. This opportunity is made possible with the generous support of former PSFTC board members Mrs. Andrea Kuipers and Vic and Grayce Lechtenberg.
Please note that inventory for medals and race shirts is set in August, so register by then to guarantee your receipt.
FASTEST TEACHER CONTEST: If you are a teacher, please indicate as such on your registration as well as what school you represent. The fastest male and female teacher for the 5K and the 10K will receive a fun prize!
PACKET PICKUP: Saturday Sept 19, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the parking lot of Mary Lou Donuts at 4150 Commerce Drive, Lafayette IN 47905
This race benefits the Public Schools Foundation of Tippecanoe County. Our mission is to promote excellence in education and encourage classroom innovation by providing grants in academics and the arts to teachers in the public schools in Tippecanoe County.