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.

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.

Join us for the Walk/Run 5K “Que Vivan los Niños”, a special event dedicated to supporting children battling cancer in Guatemala. This race is not just about crossing the finish line—it’s about giving hope, strength, and a fighting chance to kids receiving life-saving treatment. Participants of all ages and fitness levels are welcome to run, walk, or simply show their support. Every step you take helps raise crucial funds to ensure that these children receive 100% free treatment, care, and support.

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.

Runners and walkers alike can make a difference together by participating in this family community event around Lake Hollingsworth on Saturday, September 13th!

The event will be held in downtown Lakeland and will include a 10k option for 2025.

The TICK TOCK ULTRA is your 12-hour and 6-hour lake-lapping challenge. You will start at 7:00 a.m. traveling along a paved walkway that frames beautiful Lake Hollingsworth as you challenge yourself to log as many 2.84-mile laps as possible before the race concludes.

HOT GRILLED FOOD @ The Runners Village! Starting with pancakes then hotdogs & hamburgers then quesadilla’s and smoked/grilled chicken! Starting about 3pm is smoked Pork Butt and Brisket! Also all the normal treats you’d see at any Ultra, soda/pop, pickles, snack bars etc!
This unique event is limited to the first 200 entrants! This is a hard cap! 200 max runners so reserve your spot by registering TODAY!
REGISTER BY SEPT 1ST 2025 TO GUARANTEE SHIRT SIZE AND HAVE YOUR NAME PRINTED ON YOUR BIB!

Want to Try It as a Team? — Register for the TickTock Ultra RELAY! For those who want the challenge and experience of participating in an 12-hour ultra marathon event, but don’t want to log the miles alone, the Tick Tock Ultra Relay allows teams of 3 to 5 to log as many laps as they can as a TEAM. One runner per team is allowed on the course at a time. Teams compete to see how many laps they can log cumulatively in 12 hours. Each member of teams completing at least 10 laps receives a Tick Tock Ultra Award. Each member of the overall winning team and 2nd place team ALSO wins a trophy. RELAY IS LIMITED TO 20 TEAMS ONLY

AWARDS:
Top 3 of the 6 & 12 Hour races male & female will receive Overall Awards
The next over 40 male & female runners will receive the Master awards
Each runner or relay team finishing 10 laps will receive finisher awards
Top 2 relay teams will receive Overall Relay Awards

Portions of every entry will go to the Pheel Good Foundation, the creators of this race!

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.

Running Zone Foundation and Space Coast Runners welcome you to the 54th running of the Space Coast Marathon & Half Marathon – Florida’s oldest marathon. We invite runners and walkers alike to experience one of the most beautiful USATF certified waterfront courses on the east coast of Florida.

Our event starts in the historic and quaint Cocoa Village, and finishes along the river in Lee Wenner Park and Cocoa Riverfront Park where family and friends can cheer and watch your finish.

Location/Course

The inaugural Peace River 100 miler will be at Mosaic Peace River Park
2200 CR 640 Bartow FL

On a beautiful trail with a couple of challenging areas!
Some of the course is on the equestrian trails, some on sandy paths, some on rolling grass, some on limestone road!

PRIZE MONEY

The 100 miler has $10000+ of prize money spread out through:
Male & Female Top 5 Overall
1st place of each age group 20-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
A $500 drawing to a participant that didn’t win any other prize!

Pricing

Price increases for the 100 miler based on registrations!
0 – 25 = $200 plus taxes & UltraSignup fees
26 – 50 = $225 plus taxes & UltraSignup fees
51 – 100 = $250 plus taxes & UltraSignup fees
100+ = $275 plus taxes & UltraSignup fees

LOOT!

BUCKLE for all 100 mile finishers!
Long Sleeve Shirt + race socks + stickers, etc etc etc

Food & Aid stations

Ultra Ultras races always provide HOT GRILLED FOOD!
We will have at least 30lbs of BACON! Smoked Brisket, Chicken, Quesadillas, Griddle Cakes and more!
Available throughout and after the race!
We also have all the normal ultra foods and drinks: snack bars, pickles & pickle juice, soda/pop, bananas etc
Aid Stations within each 3 miles!

Awards

Awards for male and female.
1st thru 5th Overall
Then the next finisher over 40 for Masters
Then the next over 50 for Grandmasters
Then the next over 60 for Senior Grandmaster
Awards for the oldest male and female finisher!
BUCKLE for all 100 mile finishers!

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 28 and ends on Saturday March 14. Registration begins January 1,

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.

Polk Senior Games is an annual two-week series of 33 Olympic-style sports and games for men and women 50 years of age and over. Registration begins January 1. 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. Competition, held at various locations throughout Polk County, is offered in Archery, Bag Toss, Basketball Shooting, Billiards, Bocce, Bowling including Team Bowling, Bridge, Chess, Cribbage, Ballroom and Social Dancing, Darts, Euchre, Field Events, Fishing, Golf 18 Hole Singles, Mixed Doubles & Putt & Chip, Horseshoes, Pepper, Pickleball, Punt Pass Kick, Road Race 5K, Scrabble, Senior Smarts, Shooting – 5-Stand, Pistol, Rifle, Skeet, Sporting Clays & Trap, Shuffleboard, Softball, Sudoku, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track, and Walking. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded in each event and age division.