Community Calendar

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.  Your mission is to get faster with each race.  So ask yourself:  #CanYouBeatTheHeat

The Summer Watermelon 5k is run on a certified course (FL15070EBM).  All races are chip timed.  Cumulative results from the three races are used to determine official results.

The first series was run in 1996.

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, and funded ten $1,500 scholarships for May 2019 graduates. Lakeland Runners Club, Inc. has donated $67,000 for scholarships since 2012.

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.  Your mission is to get faster with each race.  So ask yourself:  #CanYouBeatTheHeat

The Summer Watermelon 5k is run on a certified course (FL15070EBM).  All races are chip timed.  Cumulative results from the three races are used to determine official results.

The first series was run in 1996.

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, and funded ten $1,500 scholarships for May 2019 graduates. Lakeland Runners Club, Inc. has donated $67,000 for scholarships since 2012.

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.  Your mission is to get faster with each race.  So ask yourself:  #CanYouBeatTheHeat

The Summer Watermelon 5k is run on a certified course (FL15070EBM).  All races are chip timed.  Cumulative results from the three races are used to determine official results.

The first series was run in 1996.

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, and funded ten $1,500 scholarships for May 2019 graduates. Lakeland Runners Club, Inc. has donated $67,000 for scholarships since 2012.

Join us at 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., to support the work of Red Tent Initiative: Creating a Culture of Empowerment to End Abuse and Exploitation in our Communities. #AdvocateSupportEmpower

Check-in 7:30 am

Race start at 8:00 am

More details and registration information to come.

Join the Lakeland Runners Club for an evening 5k road race and walk which routes around Lake Mirror and Lake Morton, a scenic and certified course (FL09122EBM) through Lakeland’s historic district and views of the city’s beautiful lakes. The race will be chip timed. Post-race refreshments, live music, and fireworks are part of the annual Mayfaire by the Lake. A portion of the proceeds from the Lakeland Runners Club’s Mayfaire 5k will benefit Polk Museum of Art.

The first Mayfaire 5k was held May 5, 1980.

Conquer four races in 24 hours! All races will be chip timed. Cumulative results from the four races are used to determine official results.  All courses are on pavement or sidewalk and are generally flat. The two-mile course does reward participants with a tough little hill near the finish. The first 5k is around Lake Hollingsworth. The one-mile race is around Lake Morton. The two-mile race is around Lake Hunter. The final 5k repeats the course around Lake Hollingsworth. Can you run the Saturday 5K faster than you did the Friday 5K?

There is a post-race party and awards ceremony at the Lake Mirror Center.  8:15 PM – 10:00 PM

The Aching Quad Four Race Challenge was established in 2006.

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.

See race information for seeded athlete entry requirements.

The Lake to Lake 10k was founded in 1977.

A portion of the proceeds from the Lake to Lake 10k will benefit the YMCA of West Central Florida.

Presented by Duke Energy, the Fa,La,La,La PHEEL GOOD 5k is the perfect way to start the holiday season with family, friends, and others who enjoy sharing the holiday spirit. Put on your festive attire and walk or run 3.1 miles along a segment of the beautiful, paved Fort Fraser Trail in Bartow, FL. Long-sleeved, gender specific holiday tech shirts for all participants registered by November 23rd, special Finisher Ornament Medal for all finishers, Overall-Master-Grand Master Male & Female Awards, and Top 3 Male & Female Awards in each Age Group. ALSO… trophy awarded to the “Most Fa,La,La,La Festive Participant” so break out your Santa hats and Reindeer Antlers and prepare for some holiday fun! This 5k is the 4th Annual Phil Brown Memorial 5k, celebrating the life of Phil Brown and benefiting the non-profit founded in his memory, PHEEL GOOD Foundation, as well as benefiting his alma mater, Williamson College of the Trades.

The Mean & Green 5 Mile Trail Race will be held on the grass and dirt trails at Holloway Park, a private park in the middle of Lakeland. This event will be low-key and environmentally friendly. We’re going retro with no finisher medals, and awards for male and female overall, masters and grandmasters only. You’ll need to bring your own bottle or cup for to refill during and after the race.  With your help, we can host an event with minimal trash going to the landfill. For your effort, you’ll receive a banana and a 50/50 blend long sleeve unisex T.

This event expands the LRC lineup of races to include trail running and will be held during Florida’s cool season. The race will be chip timed. The Mean & Green 5 Mile Trail Race supports Holloway Park and cross country running in Polk County.