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 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.