Lace up your sneakers, hop on your bike, or grab a paddle - however you move, you can join the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for the annual Run for the Trees: Happy Little (Virtual) 5K! This one-of-a-kind event, inspired by iconic artist Bob Ross, invites participants to “make some happy little trees” by supporting tree planting and forest conservation efforts at Ohio State Parks.

From April 19 to April 27, 2025, Ohioans can complete their 3.1-mile journey outdoors - on foot, wheels, or water. This flexible event allows participants to run, walk, skate, paddle, or roll toward the finish line from any location. There’s no “wrong path” when it comes to supporting Ohio's forests.

Sign up by April 1, 2025, to ensure your race packet arrives before the event. Registration will remain open until April 15, 2025, while supplies last. Race packets - which include the Happy Little T-shirt, commemorative bib, and finisher’s medal - will begin shipping on March 1, 2025.

After completing the 5K, participants are encouraged (but not required) to submit photos and results to showcase their adventure. Submissions will be accepted the weekend before Earth Day (April 22) and the weekend after Arbor Day (April 25), giving everyone plenty of time to “paint a picture” of their outdoor experience.

“There are no mistakes, just happy little trees,” and with each registration, participants are helping Ohio’s forests grow stronger. Since its inception in 2004, the Happy Little 5K program has produced more than 100,000 native plants, shrubs, and trees. Sign up, move at your own pace, and leave a legacy as colorful and vibrant as a Bob Ross masterpiece. Register here.