The 2026 Rosé River Run Makes Its Biggest Impact Yet

Each year, the Rosé River Run at Rivaura Estate Vineyard & Winery brings people together along the banks of the Clearwater River for something much bigger than a 5K. What began as a way to honor the life and memory of Cal Daniel Heinen has grown into a powerful day of community, remembrance, and a shared commitment to raising awareness about the dangers of illicit fentanyl.

The 6th Annual Rosé River Run, held May 10, 2026, showed just how far that mission has come. More than 800 runners and walkers took part in this year’s 5K, making their way through the Rivaura vineyard and along Hewett Road before returning to the Event Barn. The impact stretched far beyond those who crossed the finish line. Throughout the day, over 1,200 people gathered at Rivaura to support the cause, spend time together, and help continue an important conversation about fentanyl awareness.

Most importantly, the generosity of our participants, sponsors, donors, vendors, volunteers, and community made 2026 a record-setting year. This year’s run resulted in the largest charitable contribution in the event’s history, with over $24,000 donated, providing substantial support to organizations dedicated to fentanyl awareness, education, and prevention. These funds will help further the critical work of reaching families and communities with information that can save lives.

The Rosé River Run is held in honor of Cal Daniel Heinen, childhood best friend and classmate of Rivaura’s co-winemaker Lane Hewett. Cal lost his life in November 2019 after taking a pill unknowingly laced with fentanyl. His loss forever changed the lives of his family, friends, and everyone who knew him. From that loss came a determination to do something—to talk about fentanyl, to educate others about its dangers, and to help prevent other families from experiencing the same heartbreak.

This year’s event also welcomed Ed Ternan of Song for Charlie, who flew in to attend the event and support its mission. Song for Charlie is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit prescription pills, particularly among young people and families. Ternan’s presence at the event further underscored the importance of bringing communities together, sharing potentially lifesaving information, and expanding the conversation surrounding fentanyl awareness and prevention.

Over the years, the event has grown tremendously. From 283 participants at the inaugural run to more than 800 runners and walkers in 2026, each year has brought more people into the conversation. What started as a run has become a full-day community gathering filled with music, food, local vendors, informational organizations, and hundreds of people united behind one cause. The growth of the event means more than bigger attendance numbers; it means more conversations are happening, more people are learning, more families are sharing their stories, and more awareness is reaching the communities that need it.

Seeing more than 1,200 people gathered together this year was a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community chooses to show up. To everyone who ran, walked, donated, sponsored, volunteered, shared Cal’s story, or simply came out to support the event—thank you. The Rosé River Run will continue to grow, but its purpose will always remain the same: to honor Cal, to bring people together, and to use his story to help save the lives of others.