Stepping Forward Together: 5K Your Way: Freedom Stride

On Saturday, October 19th, participants laced up their sneakers, rallied friends, and moved with purpose at the Easterseals 5K Your Way: Freedom Stride—an inspiring event that supported veterans, people with disabilities, and individuals striving for greater independence and inclusion.

This year’s Freedom Stride took place at Winding Trails, 50 Winding Trails Drive in Farmington, CT, offering a scenic outdoor course surrounded by nature — the perfect backdrop for a day filled with movement, community, and purpose.

Unlike a traditional race, the Freedom Stride gave participants the freedom to move in whatever way worked best for them — walking, running, rolling, biking, swimming, or even dancing their 3.1 miles. This flexible format made the event accessible for people of all abilities and fitness levels, while uniting the community under one powerful mission: breaking down barriers and building brighter futures.

Why They Participated

Every step, stride, and spin taken directly benefited Easterseals’ life-changing programs and services, including:

• Veterans Rally Point, which provides behavioral health services, job readiness training, and peer support for veterans and their families.
• Rehabilitation and employment programs empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve greater independence.
• Community-based services that promote inclusion, wellness, and opportunity across Connecticut.

Thanks to the dedication of participants and supporters, Easterseals can continue providing vital care and support for those who need it most.

Moving with Purpose

Participants joined in person at Winding Trails or virtually from across the region — solo or as part of a team. Many shared their journeys on social media using #FreedomStride5K and #Easterseals5KYourWay, inspiring others to get moving and spreading awareness of Easterseals’ mission.

Local businesses, civic organizations, and schools also came together to form teams and show their community pride, proving that when we move together, we move forward together.

Making an Impact

Each registered participant received an official Easterseals Freedom Stride t-shirt and, more importantly, the satisfaction of knowing their efforts made a tangible difference in the lives of others. Whether they walked in honor of a veteran, ran to celebrate their health, or rolled in support of accessibility — every movement mattered.

The Easterseals 5K Your Way: Freedom Stride truly embodied the spirit of unity, wellness, and inclusion, reminding everyone that together, we can build a stronger, more connected community.