Community Calendar

Let’s get #SweatyforScholarships

Proceeds from the Summer Sunrise Watermelon Series goes towards scholarships for Polk County graduates administered through the Polk Education Foundation. The Lakeland Runners Club has contributed to the PEF since 2012 – the list of scholarship recipients is available on the LRC website.

The Summer Sunrise Watermelon Race Series was born out of a desire to have low-cost local races during the hot summer months when it can be hard to stay motivated. The series has become an established venue for competition and an annual celebration of fitness. It continues to be popular with both experienced and casual runners alike. Many of the local high school cross country teams use it as a tune-up for their season. The series is comprised of three 5K (3.1 mile) races, each race hotter than the last.  All are run around Lake Hollingsworth, which is flat and conducive to fast times.

The Summer Watermelon 5k is run on a certified course.  All races are chip timed.  Cumulative results from the three races are used to determine official results.

The first series was run in 1996.

The Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida will host their live POWer in Pink 5k at Virginia Miller Park in downtown Winter Haven, FL on September 21, 2024! The out and back course will run along Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes Trail. Together we can help breast cancer patients, and their families, pack a POWerful PUNCH to situational poverty stemming from a breast cancer diagnosis!

How many laps can you complete around Lake Hollingsworth in 6hrs or 12hrs?

Ultra Ultras is excited to bring back the Tick Tock 6, 12 hour & team relay race around beautiful Lake Hollingsworth asphalt path in Lakeland, Fl.

Want to ENJOY the event as a team, sign up for a 3-5 person team!

The Leading Edge Take Heart (LETH) 5K is an annual event held in Lakeland, FL that makes a global impact in the lives of orphans and widows in rural Kenya. This year, the majority of funds raised will go towards education and entrepreneurship projects in the Oyuma Village community in rural Kenya. Runners and walkers alike can make a difference together by participating in this family community event around Lake Hollingsworth on Saturday, September 28th!

Save $5 with code LRC24

Please join us for our 3rd St. Joseph Catholic School Nun Run 5k. An exciting 3.1 mile run/walk. It will be a flat course out and back, PR friendly along the chain of lakes trail. All proceeds go to St. Joseph Catholic School. (We also have a virtual option if you cannot join us on October 5.)

Save the Date!

This is our 4th annual run to help raise money for the Polk County Bully Project. We are a non profit dog shelter that provides freedom rides to dogs throughout Polk County. During the month of August we were able to find 40 new homes for dogs who would have otherwise been put down or lived their life in cages. Our goal is to have Polk County stop euthanasia by 2025.

Join us for our 2nd Annual SUN ‘n FUN Pumpkin Dash 5K! All participants will receive a dri-fit tech shirt (Shirt and size guaranteed if pre-registered before Sept 23), custom bib and entry into the Flightoberfest after the 5k event at 11am! Prizes given to the overall and age group winners!

The 10k is the oldest annual race in Polk County and runs through the Lakeland chain of lakes and historic Lake Morton district, encompassing three lakes during the course. The Lake to Lake 10k is run on a certified course (FL19044TY).  The race will be chip timed.

The Lake to Lake 10k was founded in 1977.

Get Ready to ROAR with Color! 🌈 Join ROAR Florida at Holloway Park on November 16, 2024, for a morning packed with vibrant colors, delicious snacks, and endless fun! 🏃‍♂️🍔🎉 Run or walk through a stunning scenic course with color splashes at every turn! 🌳✨ Your participation helps support ROAR Florida’s mission to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 🦁❤️ We will have interactive tents hosted by local non-profits, ensuring everyone can participate, even if they can’t walk or run the course. Have a blast with ROAR and help make this event a success! Don’t miss out on the most colorful event of the year! Bring your friends and family and let’s make unforgettable memories together! 💥👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Discount – LRC5

Join us for a scenic twilight run around beautiful Lake Hollingsworth and then up Buckingham Avenue to finish next to Common Ground Playground (our beneficiary).

Wider start-the first mile will be run in the street before moving onto the Lake Hollingsworth trail. Finisher medals to the first 400. M/F age groups are “under 10”, “over 80”, and all five year groups in between. M/F overall, masters and grandmasters plaques.

Bib chip timing by FitNiche Events. Long-sleeved ladies, unisex and youth tech shirts. Kids fun zone, fun dashes with glo-stick bracelets and more.

Polk Senior Games is a non-profit organization that presents an annual two-week series of Olympic-style sports and games for men and women 50 years of age and over. The Games inspire an active lifestyle, combine an interest in sports and games with fun and fellowship, promote a positive image of seniors and recognize their efforts and achievements, and encourage volunteerism. Polk Senior Games begins on Saturday February 22 and ends on Saturday March 8. Registration begins January 1 and ends February 8.

Competition, held at various locations throughout Polk County, is offered in Road Race 5K, Track, and Walking. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded in each event and age division. $12 for first event; $5 for each additional event up to a maximum $35. Some events have extra facility fees.

Call 863-533-0055 for the entry booklet to be mailed the first week of January.