The 42nd annual Palo Alto Weekly Moonlight Run & Walk returns to the Baylands on Friday, Sept. 25.

Thousands of runners, walkers and families are expected at 1900 Geng Road for an evening under the full moon.

The event raises money for the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund, which awarded $640,500 to 68 local nonprofits in its most recent round. Recipients include Pathwise, Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, Palo Alto Museum and Adolescent Counseling Services. Palo Alto Online reported that proceeds also support local journalism through the Embarcadero Media Foundation, which staffs the event with volunteers.

Participants can choose a timed 5K run, a timed 10K run, an untimed 5K walk or a virtual option. The half marathon offered in past years will not be held in 2026 because of construction along the route; organizers say it's expected to return in 2027. Gates, sponsor booths and registration open at 5:30 p.m., according to the event's RunSignup page. The 5K walk starts at 7 p.m., the 10K run at 8:15 p.m. and the 5K run at 8:30 p.m.

The 10K course sends runners down Embarcadero Road, into the nature preserve and along the Baylands trails. Organizers describe it as fast and mostly flat.

At the Geng Road baseball field, families will find snacks, coffee, a climbing wall and a warm-up stage with singing and dancing. Kiwanis Club volunteers handle registrations on-site, and Boy Scouts are stationed along the course.

Rick Stern, a Kiwanis Club member and regular Moonlight Run volunteer, captured the event's draw in last year's coverage: "You see everyone you know in the community. You see people you haven't seen for a year."

Last year's top finishers included Anthony Cortes in the 5K and Kaedan Brinkman in the 10K. Honey Gholami and Whitney Trainor-Guitton were the fastest women in the 5K and 10K.

This year's signature long-sleeve T-shirt features a frog design.

The color and artwork change every year, and the shirts have become a familiar sight around town. Organizers recommend registering by Tuesday, Sept. 22, to guarantee one. Same-day registration is available, but T-shirt supply is not guaranteed for walk-ups.

Registration costs $60 for adults, $49 for ages 7 to 17, and is free for children 6 and under, according to RunSignup. Prices rise to $65 after Monday, Sept. 21, at 11:59 p.m.

Registration is open at runsignup.com. The 5K walk, 5K run and 10K run all start from 1900 Geng Road.