Break Out Your Running (or Walking) Shoes!
University of Maryland Global Campus invites students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends to enter the 2026 UMGC Virtual FUNd Run, a friendly competition that engages our global community and raises funds for veteran students who need “just in time” support, such as emergency financial assistance to help them overcome unexpected challenges and stay on track to complete their studies.
The UMGC Virtual FUNd Run is a global, weeklong event where participants walk or run to raise money for the Veterans Assistance Fund (VAF), a program that helps eligible UMGC student veterans cover education costs when federal aid or VA benefits are unavailable or exhausted.
Log Your Miles: Thursday, Oct. 29–Sunday, Nov. 1
Whether you’re going solo or forming a team, your mission is simple: log as many miles as you can from Thursday, October 29 to Sunday, November 1. The top individual and team finishers will earn bragging rights and have their names added to a plaque displayed in the Stateside Veterans Lounge at UMGC's Dorsey Station location.
Learn more about our daily challenges on the Participant Resources page. Find out what it takes to build and lead a team using our Team Captain Resources. Use #UMGCFUNdRun across your social media to share the fun with your friends, family, and fellow participants.
We thank you for your support! Together, we raised more than $7,500 for the Veterans Assistance Fund last year. Let’s go the extra mile and help make 2026 a record-breaking year!
Congratulations to our UMGC FUNd Run 2025 Honorees!
- Top Individual: Jennifer Weist - 60 miles
- Winning Team: Women Are Vets 2 - This three-person powerhouse averaged 33.85 miles
- Largest Team: SEA Turtles - 21 participants
- Most Miles (Team): SEA Turtles - 488.96 miles
UMGC Students on the Veterans Assistance Fund
See Last Year's Results
| Team Name | Average Miles | Number of Participants |
|---|---|---|
| Women Are Vets 2 | 33.85 | 3 |
| Not Fast Just Furious Part 3 | 31.9 | 6 |
| The FundRaisers | 27.78 | 6 |
| Running on Ramen | 27.69 | 7 |
| UMGC in Europe: Blister Brigade | 27.08 | 18 |
| Admissions #steps4vets | 27.08 | 8 |
| Walkie Talkies | 26.23 | 13 |
| Team Procurement | 24.12 | 3 |
| SEA Turtles | 23.28 | 21 |
| Who Cares? WE CARE | 22.83 | 6 |
| Veteran VIPRS | 21.38 | 18 |
| VC-Go | 19.93 | 4 |
| Scrambled Legs | 17.49 | 7 |
| Training Wheels | 13.25 | 3 |
| Run Like the West | 12.97 | 8 |
FUNd Run Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can donate directly to the Veterans Assistance Fund.
Choose a team captain and have your teammates select a fun team name! Once a team has been created, team members must register and pay separately. Be sure to have each team member include the team's name on the online registration form. Visit the Team Captain Resources page for tips on how to create a team and keep your team members motivated throughout the run.
Participants of the Virtual FUNd Run can choose to run or walk any distance.
To keep it fair, only miles spent running or walking should be submitted on the results form.
The simplest way is to keep a written log of your mileage each day. Mobile apps and GPS-equipped fitness trackers are also great options to track daily mileage. Pedometers can also be used to track how far you walk or run. Visit the Participant Resources page for great recommendations for mobile apps, along with health and fitness tips.
Use the Results form to submit your total mileage at the conclusion of the FUNd Run. The individual with the highest mileage recorded and the team with the highest total average miles-per-participant will be recognized as the winners.
Physical medals will be mailed within 30 days of the conclusion of the event. When registering to participate, please ensure that your mailing address is correct. If you need to update your address, you may do so by emailing vesseyvrc@umgc.edu.
To be considered as a “Top Participant” or “Top Team”, your results must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday, November 6, 2026.
Please contact vesseyvrc@umgc.edu if you have any questions or need more information.