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It’s year 5 & we have the drive

Let's make strides for medical research

June 7, 2026
You run (anywhere), we donate

Join the global movement to support medical innovation — no fundraising required. Simply pledge your distance, pick a cause to support, and hit the pavement anywhere you are — because life-saving research deserves a running start.

Spread the word to other physicians, healthcare practitioners, friends and family. The farther we go, the bigger our impact will be on medical advancement.

Medical research in family medicine and primary care is critical because it shapes evidence-based care that reaches patients across EVERY stage of life, especially for those who are traditionally marginalized or living with socioeconomic barriers. Research that addresses health equity, access, and social determinants of health improves outcomes for vulnerable populations while strengthening primary care systems in ways that benefit everyone.
Dr. Kyle Lee
Family Medicine, Canada
ran 5km for mental health foundation
Dr. Kyle Lee, a Family Medicine doctor holding up his bib after running 5KM for Mental Health Foundation

See how we went the distance in 2025

Inspired by cancer-survivor and Sermo CEO Peter Kirk, 2025's event made strides for research worldwide.

6,500+

participants

85+

countries represented

$1,300,000

donated in total

50+

organizations supported

How it all began

Peter went for a short run 5 weeks after his life-saving blood stem cell transplant to see how his body would do… and it was not good. After only 200 meters, he had to stop. It was in that scary moment he knew he had to do something radical to not only change his future outlook, but also that of patients worldwide.

Frequently asked questions

How does the run work?

Run wherever you are on June 7th (it’s really that easy) and connect with us via social.

How will you decide which types of medical research receive a donation?

YOU tell us which area is most important to you when you sign up, and then vote with your feet. The more distance pledged to a cause, the more funds it will receive proportionally to the total funds unlocked.

Is there a cost to register or do I have to fundraise?

Nope – all you have to do is lace up. Sermo is organizing everything and "footing the bill", so keep spreading the work to colleagues, friends and family!

Can I invite colleagues?

Of course — and then invite their colleagues! This event is open to anyone who wants to show their support for medical research alongside our physician and HCP runners, including healthcare teams, family and friends.

What is the connection between Run for Research, Be Your Possible and Sermo?

Following the success of the first Run for Research event in 2022, Sermo CEO Peter Kirk is furthering his mission to advance medical research through a new charity, Be Your Possible.

Through Be Your Possible, Peter’s annual flagship Run for Research event mobilizes physicians, healthcare teams, and partners globally to run and unlock money for research. Sermo is the official sponsor of Run for Research and all donations will be made on behalf of Sermo.

Additionally through Be Your Possible, Peter will complete 1,000 half marathons over the next 10 years to fundraise $1 million specifically for stem cell transplant research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Learn more about Be Your Possible here.

Can I organize my own running team for June 7th?

Absolutely — but we want in! Email us here if you’re interested in setting something up for your practice/health system.

So... who is Sermo?

Engaging with more than 1M HCPs globally, Sermo is a unique online community that connects physicians and providers around the world to improve healthcare. Every day, thousands of HCPs come to Sermo to democratize medical knowledge, crowdsource difficult patient cases, rate drugs to improve treatment decision-making – and even laugh at some great medical jokes. Join us!

Let’s get medical research moving

Submit your photos on Instagram, LinkedIn, or X using the hashtag #RunforResearch!
As an Infectious Disease Doctor and as an Investigator, I am passionate about ways to increase access to new  and life-saving treatments through Medical Research. Everyone benefits, or will eventually benefit, from new emerging treatments.
Claudia Martorell, MD, MPH, FACP
Honestly, running for research means more to me than just getting in a workout. It's about running for hope.
Pamela Mehta, MD
Run for research is a nice initiative to support a research foundation of your choice while health being through sport!
Christophe Guervilly
Peter’s story of battling leukemia was very inspiring, along with being part of a global event contributing to medical research. Running and exercise in general, has so many health benefits so it just felt right to participate with Sermo.
Robert Henderson
I ran because my son has leukemia — he is currently on a trial and anything we can do to further medical research and improve his life or others we want to!
Alexandra Watts
If you’re in NYC tomorrow, June 8th, please come run a few miles with me and cancer survivor and total badass, Peter Kirk. Peter has pledged to run 1,000 half marathons in the next 10 years as he continues to raise money and awareness for cancer research!
Lindsay Meyers
As both a runner and a physician, partnering with Pinnacle and Sermo to support medical research was an incredibly rewarding experience.
Renee Paro, MD
I ran 5 miles for the breast cancer research fund. Was happy to be part of this global effort!
Jovita Oruwari, MD
The 5km that we completed for Anxiety and Depression Association of America emphasized the importance of investing in understanding and addressing complex health challenges like anxiety and depression—conditions that affect millions globally.
Kyle Lee, BMLSc, BMBS, MPH, CCFP