A group of runners run toward the camera from under a race starting tower on a sunny day on a college campus.

A campus in bloom

See highlights from K-State Gardens' Run for the Roses

Scores of runners participated in the K-State Gardens' fifth-annual Run for the Roses. Photos by Kristina Bonner/K-State News and Communications Services.

Kristina Bonner

By Kristina Bonner

K-State News and Communications Services

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

The Kansas State University Gardens' fifth annual Run for the Roses was a celebration of spring on campus, with participants running and walking through a garden and campus in full bloom.

The event combined fitness, fun and philanthropy, with proceeds from the event supporting the K-State Gardens' mission to serve as a living classroom and public treasure for the university and the surrounding community.

Explore moments from the weekend in the photo gallery below.

A golden rose trophy encased in a glass dome sits on a wooden base engraved "Kansas State University Run for the Roses 5K Traveling Trophy - Champions" on an outdoor table with a blurred park background.
The Run for the Roses 5K Traveling Trophy-Champions sits on display during the K-State Garden’s annual spring race.
Kansas State University Army ROTC cadets in camouflage uniforms present the American flag and military colors on a grass field as a large crowd of Run for the Roses 5K participants stands at attention in the background.
K-State Army ROTC cadets present the colors as runners and spectators stand at attention before the start of the Run for the Roses.
Runners cross under the Run for the Roses 5K start line banner displaying sponsor logos as spectators in purple shirts and Willie the Wildcat mascot cheer from the sidelines on a clear morning.
Runners surge across the start line as spectators cheer them on at the K-State Gardens’ fifth-annual Run for the Roses.

A female runner wearing a yellow shirt, purple shorts, sunglasses and race bib number 393 runs down a city street past industrial buildings and green trees during the Run for the Roses 5K with another runner visible in the background.
Several runners participated in the K-State Gardens' fifth annual Run for the Roses.
A young male runner wearing a pink shirt, visor and race bib number 576 runs along a tree-lined sidewalk through a sunlit campus park during the Run for the Roses 5K as other runners follow behind.
A young runner races through the K-State campus while flashing the Wildcat hand signal.
A smiling Kansas State University Army ROTC cadet wearing full military gear and a rucksack runs through a tree-lined campus path during the Run for the Roses 5K.
A K-State Army ROTC cadet smiles while completing the Run for the Roses in full combat uniform and rucksack.

Willie the Wildcat mascot wearing a purple Kansas State University shirt with the Powercat logo interacts with participants at the Run for the Roses 5K.
K-State mascot Willie the Wildcat cheers for participants at the Run for the Roses finish line.
Three female runners wearing race bibs, finisher medals and purple beaded necklaces celebrate with raised arms and smiles in front of green landscaping and a stone pillar at the Run for the Roses 5K.
K-State students celebrate after completing the Run for the Roses 5K, showing off their finisher medals and rose-themed beaded necklaces.
A hand holds a commemorative Run for the Roses 5K pin in a clear plastic bag with the event logo featuring a rose design as participants and the start line banner appear blurred in the background.
Participants in the K-State Gardens’ Run for the Roses race receive a commemorative medal of the Run for the Roses pin that features the signature rose logo.

A male runner wearing race bib number 194 and a Run for the Roses shirt receives a medal from a volunteer in a purple event shirt near the start line as spectators gather in the background.
A volunteer congratulates and hands a medal to a participant as he crosses the Run for the Roses finish line.
Five Kansas State University Army ROTC cadets in camouflage uniforms and race bibs pose with Willie the Wildcat mascot wearing a purple K-State jersey in front of a stone building with green foliage.
K-State Army ROTC cadets pose with Willie the Wildcat before the Run for the Roses race begins.
Two girls sit on a sidewalk drawing with colorful chalk while families and spectators gather in the background.
Young participants create colorful chalk art on the sidewalk during the Run for the Roses festivities.

A Fort Riley Color Guard member in a red shirt and black cowboy hat pets a brown horse while two young girls look at the horse.
A member of the Fort Riley Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard introduces attendees to one of the unit’s horses during Run for the Roses festivities.

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EngagementK-State GardensCampus life

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