Fit2Run Holiday Race Challenge Series at Benderson Park will be presented by Brooks Running

3 Races. 3 Holidays. 3 Courses. All inside Nathan Benderson Park. (Photo credit: Fit2Run)

The Fit2Run Holiday Race Challenge is back for 2020. Run 3 races, for 3 different holidays, on 3 different courses — all held at beautiful Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.

The Holiday Challenge includes:

• Lucky Leprechaun 5K on March 14
• Fireworks 4 Miler on July 3
• Florida Turkey Trot on November 26

Run, jog or walk each event and you'll earn an extra medal for completing all three races. Don't worry if you won't be in town for all three events. You can register to run a virtual race and earn your race medals!

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March 14: Lucky Leprechaun 5K ​and St. Patrick's Day Festival

Grab your lucky green running gear for this race. Runners loop around and across the lake for a festive 5K. First one to the finish line wins the Lucky Leprechaun's pot of gold!

Timed 5K + Kids Rainbow Dash

Runners and walkers are invited to run or walk with the Lucky Leprechaun around the Lake at Nathan Benderson Park. The 5K race is chip-timed.

Commemorative prize award for top 100 male and femail finishers. Every finisher recives a medal and race shirt, plus admission into the festival, a free beer, and a free Acai Bowl from Bowled Life.

There's a Kids Rainbow Dash for the coins in age-bracketed rainbow dashes. 

St. Patrick's Day Festival After the Races

​Runners and walkers get festival entry with race registration. Festival-only tickets are available for spectators.

The festival includes live music, food trucks, a Beer Garden and Irish Bar, Kids Zone, and more. Bring blankets and chairs so you can relax and enjoy the live music.

Race and Festival Schedule:

4:00 PM - Race Day Registration; Packet Pick Up
5:30 PM - Festival Opens
6:00 PM - Kettle of Fish Performs
6:15 PM - Kids Rainbow Dash
6:45 PM - 5K Warm Up
7:00 PM - 5K Starts
8:15 PM - Costume Contest
8:30 PM - The Adam Duss Experience Performs
9:45 PM - Last Call; Food and Drinks 
10:00 PM - Event Ends

There's an awesome Kid Zone featuring the Let’s Jump Events Inflatable area, magicians, face painting and more! All activities are included with admission.

Adult (21+) Festival Admission ($20) includes free Acai Bowl from Bowled Life and 1 free beer.
Kids (ages 4-20) ($10) includes free Acai Bowl from Bowled Life and admission into Kid Zone. 

Prices increase at midnight on March 12. 5K is currently $35.  

Click to Register for the Lucky Leprechaun 5K on March 14, 2020

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The Fireworks 4 Miler is the 2nd of 3 races in the Holiday Race Challenge at Nathan Benderson Park. 

July 3: Fireworks 4-Miler

​Sunset 4-miler around the lake for runners and walkers! All participants receive a chip-timed bib, race shirt, finisher's medal, and glow gear!

4-Miler Price Schedule:
Dec 27 – May 31: $30.00
Jun 1 – Jun 30: $35.00
Jul 1 – Jul 2: $40.00 

Kids Dash Price Schedule:
Dec 27 - Jul 2: $20.00

​Kids' Dash Distances (by age):
100 Meters (3-4 years old)
200 Meters (5-6 years old)
400 Meters (7-9 years old)
800 Meters (10-12 years old)

Kids 12 and under who participate in the 5K run the Kids Dash for free!

Kids Dashes start at 6:30 pm, followed by the 4-Miler at sunset. Top 100 male and female finishers receive a commemorative prize. All runners receive race shirt, finisher medal, food, and beverage.

Finish the race and stay for the fireworks over the lake! Race participants get a front row seat in the park. Bands perform on the island from 7 pm-10 pm. Fireworks start at 9pm.

All race participants get a ticket for a free drink and free food. Spectators and non-runners can buy food and beverages.

Click Here to Register for the Fireworks 4-Miler on July 3, 2020

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Nov. 26: Turkey Trot 5K

Add the Florida Turkey Trot 5K race to your Thanksgiving tradition!

Race through the park and finish after running the floating final mile over the lake. Finishers get a tasty sweet treat to start their Thanksgiving feast.

All race participants receive a race shirt and finisher medal. Top finishers receive a special commemorative prize.

​Price goes up July 18, 2020.

Proceeds from the race benefit The Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates, Inc. (SANCA), a not-for-profit 501c3 business created to manage Nathan Benderson Park, a community/public asset and world class, multi-use sports venue. SANCA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for our community and be an economic generator for our region.

Click to Register for the Florida Turkey Trot on November 26, 2020

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