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.

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.