This race is held by Bonnet Springs Park, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to enrich our community through nature, culture, recreation, and education in partnership with the Lakeland Runners Club, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to promote running and fitness for people of all ages and abilities in the community.

Join us at Bonnet Springs Park on Saturday, March 23 for a sunrise 5k that showcases the natural beauty of towering oak trees and the rolling terrain of Florida's Best Free Natural Attraction. Bonnet Springs is a beautiful blend of urban amenities in a natural setting. Race with us and then stay to explore all there is to offer in the 168-acre park. 

A quarter-mile Kids Fun Run will be held following the 5k. The run will begin at 8:30 AM and, all participants need to be onsite by 8:00 AM.

Walkers are welcome at this event. The Bonnet Springs Park 5k is held on a USATF-certified course (FL23012JK). The race is chip-timed.

Thank you to Valiant Products for their generous support; a donation from the 5k will benefit the Carol Jenkins Barnett Endowment at Bonnet Springs Park.

This 5k is limited to 800 participants.

IMPORTANT DATES
Mar. 1 - Last date to register to guarantee shirt selection
Mar. 9 - Price increase from $45.00 to $55.00
Mar. 19 - Online registration closes at 11:59 PM
Mar. 21 - Race Instructions Emailed
Mar. 22 - if the race is not sold out, walk up registration opens at 4:00 PM, $55.00 cash or credit

We are unable to mail bibs, shirts, medals or awards. A friend or family member can pick up your packet or award during the scheduled packet pickup window or awards ceremony. 

The 5k starts at 7:00 AM on Bonnet Springs Blvd near the parking for the Florida Children's Museum and the Bonnet Spring's Depot restaurant.

The Kids Fun Run will be held following the 5k.  All kids fun run participants must be onsite on the Family Lawn by 8:00 AM.

The 5k is capped at 800 participants. The kids fun run is capped at 50 runners. 

Online registration is available through Tuesday, March 19 or until the race is sold out. The online system will close for two days to allow the race team to prepare. If available, in-person registration will open (cash or card) during packet picket on Friday, March 22, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM, and again on Saturday, March 23 from 5:30 to 6:30 AM. 

Early packet pick up will be held at the Family Lawn at Bonnet Springs Park, 600 Bonnet Spgs Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33815.

Friday, March 22, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 23, from 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM    

The first 0.5 miles of the 5k will be on Bonnet Springs Blvd. The course will transition to the circulator path for 1.5 loops of the path. The path will be split with cones and runners will be directed to the outside (right) lane for loop one, and the inside (left) lane for loop 2. The finish will be at the Family Lawn.

SEE 5k MAP UNDER RACE INFO

Finishers for the 5k and Kids Fun Run will receive a participant's medal as they finish the race.

You can find results on our Lakeland Runners Club website.

5k Awards
Overall male and female will be based on gun time. All other awards will be based on chip time. In addition to overall male and female, the LRC will recognize masters male and female (fastest runners over 40) and grandmasters male and female (fastest runners over 50).

The LRC will recognize male and female 1st, 2nd, and 3rd placements in these age categories: 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85+

Overall, masters and grandmasters winners will not be eligible for age group awards, and there will be no double dipping in the overall, masters & grandmasters award categories.

Awards will be presented on the Family Lawn at approximately 8:45 AM.

We are unable to mail bibs, shirts, medals or awards. A friend or family member can pick up your packet or award during the scheduled packet pickup window or awards ceremony. 

For everyone’s safety – NO dogs, bicycles, roller skates, or in-line skates will be allowed on the course.

The use of headphones is discouraged. Strollers need to stay at the back of the race.

If the Lakeland Runners Club needs to cancel the race, participants will be refunded their race entry fee.

If you can't attend the race, please initiate a registration transfer instead of just giving your bib to someone else. Giving someone a bib registered in your name creates inaccurate race results and can prevent registered and deserving individuals from being properly recognized in their age group, and creates a risk in the case of emergency when EMS is not able to identify the person by their race number. 

You may transfer your registration to another runner (officially give it to someone else) under Manage Your Registration until one week before the race.