Call or check the organizations’ websites for the latest information.
CHARLOTTE
Jul 4
Babcock Ranch for the 4th of July 5K starts and ends in the picturesque community’s Founder’s Square. runningintheusa.com
Aug 26
Bring your leashed pup and strollers to the Run 4 Our Furry Friends 5K and 2K Honor Walk at South County Regional Park in Punta Gorda for Peace River K9 Search & Rescue Association. prsar.org
Oct 14
Much of the YMCA Sandbar Half Marathon/5K on Manasota Key is shaded by trees; the race ends with an awards ceremony, free beer and live music. ymcaswfl.org
Oct 21
Race through the waterfront Laishley Park, with views of the Charlotte Harbor during the Punta Gorda Half Marathon & 5K. puntagordahalf.com
Nov 23
Chase a turkey-costumed cyclist during Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity’s 25th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk, hosted by Florida SouthWestern State College. charlottecountyhfh.org
COLLIER
Jul 4
Cool off after the GCR Firecracker 5K at Fleischmann Park in Naples with the 21st Annual Freedom Swim. Participants sing the national anthem before swimming 1 mile along the shore. gcrunner.org
Sep 4
Friends of Foster Children Forever Labor Day 5K at Lowdermilk Park in Naples benefits the namesake nonprofit, which provides enriching opportunities for foster kids. friendsoffosterchildren.net
Oct Date TBD
Trot around Lake Avalon at Naples’ Sugden Regional Park during the Take a Stand Against Domestic Violence 5K Race, benefiting Legal Aid Service of Collier County. collierlegalaid.org
Oct 7
Rock on with music from various decades during the Naples Rocktoberfest Half Marathon & 5K at North Collier Regional Park. rocktoberfesthalf.com
Oct 28
STARability Foundation’s 5K Run, Walk & Roll at Paradise Coast Sports Complex aids individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. starability.org
Oct 28
Coast past airplanes and raise awareness about Naples Airport Authority as you run on two shut-down runways during the GCR Runway 5K at Naples Airport. gcrunner.org
Nov 23
Make your way down to the Gulf Coast Runners Thanksgiving Day 5K, starting at Fifth Avenue South in Naples and ending at Cambier Park for an award ceremony and pumpkin pie. gcrunner.org
Nov 23
The Gobble Gobble Thanksgiving Day 5K traverses through downtown Naples and The Village Shops on Venetian Bay to benefit St. Matthew’s House. runeliteevents.com
Dec 1
Deck yourself out in holiday lights and glow sticks for an illuminated evening race in Naples’ Sugden Regional Park during the Christmas Glow Run 5K. Festive characters line the route, and there’s faux snowfall at the finish line. runeliteevents.com
Dec 2
The Naples Fall Classic Half Marathon & 5K takes runners through Sugden Regional Park and the picturesque Isles of Collier Preserve. After, head over to nearby Celebration Park for food trucks and live music. napleshalf.com
Dec 9
Trek with your little one through about a dozen kid-friendly obstacles along the 2-mile Your First Mud Run. The run benefits its host location The Village School of Naples. yourfirstmudrun.com
Jan 21
Race with Olympic trial athletes at the Barron Collier Companies Naples Half Marathon at Cambier Park to benefit the Gulf Coast Runners Youth Development and Scholarship Fund. napleshalfmarathon.net
Feb 10
The Ave Maria Marathon (a USA Track & Field certified course and Boston Qualifier) at Ave Maria University offers 1-mile, 5K, 10K, half-marathon and full-marathon courses. alpha.win
Mar Date TBD
Walk or run in the 5th Annual Baker Park 5K in Naples, benefiting the GCR Performance Stage at Baker Park. gcrunner.org
Apr Date TBD
Runners of the Naples Paradise Coast Half Marathon & 5K wind through woods and past lakes during the scenic race through North Collier Regional Park in Naples. paradisehalf.com
LEE
Jul 4
Catch the morning sun across the Cape Coral Bridge during the Freedom 5K & Kids’ Fun Run. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center & Museum and the Special Operations Communicators Association. freedom5kcc.com
Jul 4
Break out your red, white and blue for the USA Independence Day 5K Run and Walk, where you’ll hear the national anthem pre-race at Hertz Arena in Estero. runeliteevents.com
Sep Date TBD
Uniformed firefighters and service members run with civilians in the sixth-annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk in Fort Myers. The race benefits homeless vets, GOLD Star families and deceased and injured service people and their families. t2t.org
Oct 7
The Fueled by Fire 5K and Challenge, hosted by Cape Coral Fire Department Community Foundation, features an obstacle course. The nonprofit funds CPR courses, fire and life safety education, and a local firefighter memorial. ccfdfoundation.org
Oct 7
Don your favorite costume for the Medal Madness Haunted 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon at Eagle Lakes Community Park in Naples. runsignup.com
Oct 14
Fuel global change at Jaycee Park in Cape Coral during the 5th Annual Running Water 5K, held in partnership with New International’s Transformative Water ministry and Africa Hope to provide water filtration systems and hygiene education to the Maasai tribe in Narok, Kenya. runsignup.com
Dec 2
The 15th Annual Sanibel Island 10K Race for F.I.S.H., held as part of the Illuminate the Islands Festival, also includes a 5K. Proceeds go to F.I.S.H. OF SANCAP, which provides islanders with social services and educational assistance. fishofsancap.org
Nov 23
In its 44th year, the Turkey Trot 5K starts and ends at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers. The race includes a Tot Trot for kiddos 6 and under. runsignup.com
Nov 23
Break a sweat before the feast at the Thanksgiving Day 5K at Hertz Arena in Estero. The national anthem kicks off the race. runeliteevents.com
Dec 9
Don your festive garb for Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department’s Reindeer Run 5K & Family Fun Run at Coral Oaks Golf Course. After the race, head to Santa’s Workshop for a free holiday photo with Old Saint Nick. capereindeerrun.com
Jan 6
Support the United Way at the 12th annual LCEC Resolution 5K Walk/Run (aka The Resolution Run) at Jaycee Park in Cape Coral. runningintheusa.com
Jan 13
Soak up the scenic sights at Kiwanis Club’s Pine Island Calusa Trail 5K Run & Walk in Bokeelia. pineislandkiwanis.org
Jan 19-21
The 33rd Annual Tour De Cape kicks off with a celebration at Rotary Park on Friday, followed by the 5K Run and Mini Kids’ Ride Saturday. Sunday’s bike tour includes 15-, 30-, 62- and 100-mile courses across the city. Breakfast is served on Saturday and Sunday. tourdecape.net
Jan 27
Trot along the scenic Caloosahatchee River during the Busey Bank Run for Prevention at Cape Coral’s Jaycee Park. Proceeds benefit Lee County Coalition’s drug-free initiatives. Pets and strollers are welcome. runsignup.com
Feb 4
Held in conjunction with ArtFest Fort Myers, the Publix Run to the Arts 5K includes a post-race breakfast, live music and a preview of artists’ booths before the festival opens on Sunday. runtothearts.com
Feb 17
Celebrate Fort Myers’ most famous resident during the Edison Festival of Light 5K throughout downtown. Stick around for the Grand Parade right after. edisonfestival.org
Mar 2
Florida Gulf Coast University hosts the Fort Myers Half Marathon & 5K, with runners racing across campus, enjoying serene views of Lake Como as they dash to the finish line in front of Alico Arena. fortmyershalf.com
Mar 16
Jaycee Park in Cape Coral hosts the Scope for Hope 5K, 2-Mile Walk, and Kids’ Fun Run, benefiting Partners in Care Foundation. runningintheusa.com
Mar 23
Bring your pets and family to Cape Coral Animal Shelter Rescue Walk, Wiggle, Wag & Run, with music, food trucks, and a pet costume and talent contest. capecoralanimalshelter.com
May 24
Girls on the Run 5K at Laishley Park in Punta Gorda celebrates graduates from the nonprofit’s 10-week program, which teaches girls in third-to-eighth grades to be healthy and confident through physical activity. gotrswfl.org
