“The happiest morning in Maryland” is celebrating a major milestone this year — 2026’s Red Shoe Shuffle 5K Run and Walk, a fundraising and awareness event hosted by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maryland (RMHCMD), marks the event’s 15th anniversary. The Red Shoe Shuffle, a fun run and walk through Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, helps to support the families staying at RMHC while their children receive care for serious illnesses and medical conditions. The event kicks off with the walk at 8:30 a.m. April 19.
While there are Ronald McDonald House locations across the country, the Baltimore house is the only one in Maryland. Its proximity to city hospitals like the Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center makes it convenient for children who are patients there. The house serves as a home away from home for these children and their families, providing them with food, housing and kid-friendly fun during a difficult period for any family.
“We used to be over on the west side of the city, but we built and moved to our current house on Aisquith Street in 2019,” explains Allie Klein, director of marketing, communications and special events at RMHCMD. “We doubled in size from our previous house, and that was really to meet the demand of the families who needed to stay with us, who were coming to Baltimore City to receive the critical medical care for their child. We help 2,400 families a year from across the world.”
The Red Shoe Shuffle was first held in 2011, with around 100 walkers and runners participating. Today, the event regularly draws thousands of participants and has raised $5.3 million to date. These funds support services like free transportation to and from medical treatments, food cooked by volunteers and programming like children’s activities and therapy dogs.
RMHCMD has been counting down to this year’s event by sharing 15 stories of former Ronald McDonald House residents, one for every year. In addition to serving as a major fundraiser for the house, the Red Shoe Shuffle is also an alumni event, and many former residents return to participate. It’s a meaningful experience both for them and the house’s current residents. Maggie Whalen, a mother currently staying at RMHCMD while her daughter, River, receives treatment at Johns Hopkins, notes that raising a child with a serious illness can be very isolating. Community-building events like the Red Shoe Shuffle can help bring people with similar experiences together.
“Adults who stayed here as children will immediately come up to you and want to share their story,” Whalen says. “It means so much to me as an adult, but especially to River, to meet adults who have done limb lengthening treatments [like she has] and for them to show her the same scars that she has.”
The Red Shoe Shuffle is accessible to runners and walkers of all abilities, as the route is stroller- and wheelchair-friendly. After completing the course, participants can spend time in the Celebration Village, a festival featuring live music, food from local vendors and other fun attractions.
“This is a huge community event, and though there are thousands of people around you, we really do feel bonded and connected in a very meaningful way on Shuffle morning,” Klein adds. “I want [the runners and walkers] to feel that magical essence that is unique to the Ronald McDonald House.”
