(light upbeat music) - The Jordan Education Foundation's Challenge Run fuels classroom grants and strengthens schools.

Here to tell us more is Kristina Leikam.

Kristina, welcome to "Contact."

- Thank you.

- So tell me about this event, the Challenge Run.

- [Kristina] Great.

The Challenge Run is a family-friendly obstacle run.

It's not a contest.

It's suitable for everybody, from little kids to older people, strollers.

You go at your own pace.

And then following the run is an after party with vendors, activities, and lots of fun.

- [Liz] How long has this been going on?

- This is our 11th year.

- Wow.

- Running this event.

- How has it changed over the years?

- Oh, it's certainly grown over the years.

We're one of the largest runs in the state of Utah, and this event benefits all of the students in the Jordan School district.

- [Liz] I see people with T-shirts, I see, it looks like quite the competition with the climbing and everything.

And then there's community activities afterwards, right?

For families?

- Yes, there's lots of community activities afterwards.

We'll have a rock climbing wall, trampolines, inflatables, and lots of swag from vendors who support our community and our schools.

- [Liz] Wow, what a fun day that looks like.

People are getting their steps in, getting their fitness goals in, as well as goals for education and local school districts.

Tell me how this helps support that effort.

- [Kristina] Exactly.

So this event supports classroom grants.

So this allows teachers to bring in some of those creative, really engaging ideas that normal school funding isn't able to pay for.

And so we are able to provide that funding through events like the Challenge Run.

So last year the foundation provided $500,000 in classroom grants over 68 schools.

- [Liz] Wow.

What does it take to continue this effort and to do this year after year?

- Oh, it's a huge community effort.

The city of West Jordan, we have sponsors who help fund the expenses of the event so that all of the donations and registration fees can go straight to classrooms.

- [Liz] I am so excited about this year's event.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

If you would like to check out the Challenge Run, or even just support those grants that she was just talking about, head to jefchallenge.org.

The 2026 Challenge Run is May 9th at 9:00 AM happening at Veterans Memorial Park.

I'm Liz Adeola and thank you for watching "Contact."

(light upbeat music) Philanthropy, Arts, culture.

It's what brings us together.

Hi, I'm Liz Adeola, the host of Contact, a show that connects you with local events and organizations that serve your community.

If you work for a nonprofit and would like to be on Contact, please visit pbs.org/contact