15th anniversary year generated more than $221,000 while celebrating Dallas architecture, fitness and civic pride
On Saturday, May 16, Dallas’ signature architecture-themed race celebrated another milestone year as the Form Follows Fitness 5K, presented by Blackson Brick, gathered more than 60 runners, walkers, architects, designers, civic leaders and community supporters at Community Beer Company for a ceremonial check presentation benefiting The Architecture and Design Foundation. The brewery hosted four social runs leading up to the 2026 race and will host monthly runs on the third Saturday of each month through January 2027.
The 2026 race season generated $221,358.07, the third-highest fundraising total in event history, helping bring the race’s lifetime charitable impact to more than $2 million raised. The event also celebrated its 15th anniversary year, setting records with 3,973 registrations, $308,000 in sponsorship revenue and 184 industry teams participating. Throughout its 15-year history, 44,588 participants have taken part in the 5K.
The ceremonial presentation recognized the impact of a community event that has evolved far beyond a race. Form Follows Fitness has united the architecture, engineering, construction, planning and fitness communities to raise funds that create opportunities for students, support research, expand public education and connect residents to the beauty and importance of the built environment.
The morning also spotlighted the future of architecture, design and civic innovation. Following the presentation, an air horn sounded as runners and walkers began the first official monthly social run leading into the 2027 race season.
“The AD EX Form Follows Fitness 5K really began from a simple moment of inspiration during a Saturday morning AD EX Arts District Walking Tour in 2010,” said Patrick Glenn, AIA, LEED AP, ALEP, LE Fellow, Form Follows Fitness 5K founder. “As Briar Glenn and I were experiencing the energy of the Dallas Arts District, we started talking about how incredible it would be to create an event that connected health, community and architecture in a more visible and engaging way. What started as a meaningful idea has grown into a Dallas tradition that celebrates architecture, promotes public engagement and supports educational programs and scholarships for future generations of designers and architects.”
Glenn said one of the event’s greatest achievements has been strengthening the connection between the public and the architecture and design community while supporting educational initiatives and scholarships.
“Seeing the lasting impact this event has had on both our profession and the broader Dallas community is something I am incredibly proud of,” Glenn said. “I am excited to see how we can continue to grow that message and impact for the next 15 years.”
For Briar Glenn, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Form Follows Fitness 5K co-founder, the race’s continued growth reflects the power of community collaboration.
“Celebrating the Form Follows Fitness 5K’s 15th anniversary is a tremendous milestone,” Glenn said. “What began as an idea to bring our industry colleagues, partners and the community together around a shared commitment to wellness and the celebration of Dallas’ iconic architecture has grown into something far greater than Patrick and I ever imagined.”
She said the race has become the Foundation’s largest single fundraising effort while helping expand programs such as Build Your City!, the Exhibition Series, Architecture and Design Exchange programming and Designing My Future Camps.
“Beyond race day, the 5K has become a catalyst for deeper community engagement, meaningful industry partnerships and new opportunities to inspire the next generation through the power of architecture and design,” Glenn said.
Norman Alston, FAIA, president-elect of The Architecture and Design Foundation, believes the race perfectly reflects Dallas’ architectural spirit.
“I love that the Form Follows Fitness 5K was born out of walking through our city and looking at the architecture,” Alston said. “It’s testimony to the quality of Dallas architecture that, besides being beautiful, it can inspire people in other important aspects of their lives.”
The race’s unique atmosphere and citywide appeal continue to resonate with participants and organizers alike, according to Eric Lindberg, race director for the Form Follows Fitness 5K.
“Every year, the commitment and support from the architecture industry for the race blows me away,” Lindberg said. “It’s the largest industry gathering in North Texas and I pause when I call it a race because it’s truly an event for all, including architecture, the running and walking community, families, friends and coworkers.”
Lindberg added that the course remains one of the event’s signature experiences as participants travel through the West End, Downtown, the Arts District and Uptown before finishing at Klyde Warren Park.
Marc Blackson, president of Blackson Brick, said supporting the event aligns naturally with the company’s mission and values.
“Supporting Form Follows Fitness is not only a commitment to giving back, it’s a strategic alignment of business objectives with meaningful impact, strengthening both the Foundation and the architecture community it serves,” Blackson said.
Source: Press release
