5K races near San Carlos Park

The Fueled by Fire 5K & Challenge begins and ends at Tarpon Point Marina and The Westin Cape Coral Resort on Silver King Boulevard in Cape Coral, Florida. This is an annual 5K run/walk organized by the Cape Coral Fire Department Community Foundation. The event starts at 7:00 AM, and a virtual 5K option is available for those unable to attend in person. The course for the in-person event guides participants through sections of Cape Coral. Timing and scoring are managed by Lin-Mark Sports, a local timing service. The race supports the fire department foundation’s community initiatives, with proceeds funding CPR courses and resources, fire and life safety education, and a local firefighter memorial. The event welcomes families, walkers, runners, and fire department supporters, functioning as a community fundraiser rather than a competitive race weekend.

The Naples Rocktoberfest Half Marathon & 5k is an October race held at North Collier Regional Park in Naples, Florida, offering both a half marathon and a 5k on the same morning. It combines running with music and Gulf Coast scenery, and has been held for over ten years as part of the Elite Events race calendar. The course begins and ends at the park area on Livingston Road, with interactive maps and course flyovers provided for runners who wish to preview it. The event includes numerous race-day extras: finishers receive a shirt, medal, finish video, free photos, and post-race food, while competitive runners can compete for top-five age-group awards and onsite medal engraving. Live tracking, push notifications, splits, results, and lifetime stats allow friends and family to follow along.

The Shop Dine & Dash 5K is a 5K run held at Miromar Outlets in Estero, Florida. The start and finish lines are located at 810 Entertainment. This event is designed as a relaxed community run that includes shopping benefits: all participants receive a finisher’s medal and special store discounts. The first 200 runners will also get a finisher’s pint glass. The course winds through Miromar Outlets, offering a different setting than a typical road race. Participants aged 21 and older can claim a complimentary beer from 810 Entertainment post-race. A portion of each registration fee benefits RMHC SWFL. Miromar Outlets, Vaccaro’s Enterprises LLC, and 810 Entertainment are event partners.

The Partners Pink Run is a 5K run and 1-mile fun walk at Bell Tower in Fort Myers, Florida, held in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Presented by Worthington Realty, it is a Fleet Feet Running Race focused on raising money for Partners for Breast Cancer Care, a Southwest Florida nonprofit that keeps funds local for patients and families dealing with breast cancer. Both distances traverse the Bell Tower Shops area, with the 5K starting before the 1-mile walk. Runners can compete for overall and age-group awards, while walkers and supporters can join at a more relaxed pace. Participants are encouraged to wear pink, and the morning continues after the finish with music, entertainment, refreshments, and family activities. Proceeds support breast screening, diagnostic testing, and treatment for underserved women and men in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties.

The Gator Chase 5K begins at 7:30 a.m. at Ave Maria's Town Center, located at 5068 Annunciation Circle in Ave Maria, Florida. This event is a 5K run/walk, accommodating both runners and walkers. Registration pricing is tiered, offering lower rates before the final deadline and a higher fee on race day. An optional premium race shirt can be selected during registration. The course guides participants through the Ave Maria communities. Both a course map and a race-location map are available for planning. Group discounts can be arranged through Footloose Running, and this race is part of that organizer's event schedule. The event also seeks volunteers via an Adopt a Spot program. Race information is available on a downloadable flyer, through external app directions, and on a Facebook page for sharing with friends.

Seaside Strides 5K is a professionally timed 5K held at North Collier Regional Park in Southwest Florida, coinciding with Halloween weekend. It is structured as a local charity race, not a large destination event, allowing participants to receive an official time while supporting a children-focused charity. The course is a 5K within the park. Additional funds raised after covering race expenses are donated to Seaside Travels, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Lee and Collier Counties. This organization offers therapeutic community outings for children, linking a short, accessible race distance with a specific local mission.

The Fast & The Furriest is a Rochester pet and running event held at Brown Square Park, located across from Rochester Animal Services on Verona Street. Participants can choose between an in-person or virtual 10K and 5K race, a half-mile kids race, and an in-person or virtual dog walk. A pet festival also takes place throughout the morning and early afternoon. The 10K and 5K races commence on Verona Street, with the dog walk starting within the park. The event attracts runners, children, dog owners, families, animal advocacy groups, and individuals fundraising for pets in need. The festival features live music, food trucks, vendors, sponsor giveaways, pet contests, an adoptable dog showcase, a silent auction, and a clinic providing rabies and DAPP vaccines along with microchipping on a first-come, first-served basis. Now in its 20th year, the event serves as a fundraiser and public pet-care day, closely connected to the city shelter situated next door.

The Cool Down 5K/10K is a community run and walk in Ave Maria, Florida, offering both 5K and 10K distances. It begins and ends at the Town Center on Annunciation Circle, providing a central location for check-in, the finish line, and post-race activities. The course winds through the neighborhoods of Ave Maria. The event is designed for broad participation, not solely for competitive racing. Participants can select either distance as a run or walk, opt for a race shirt during registration, and take advantage of group discounts for multiple sign-ups.

The Mullets & Mustaches Run begins at Bell Tower Shops on a Movember morning, with the 5K starting at 8:00 AM. Participants can choose from three options: a chip-timed 5K, a 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, and a Pizza Mile. The Pizza Mile is the unique attraction: runners eat pizza before completing short loops outside Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, the race partner. The event focuses on men's health, supports those affected by men's health issues, and welcomes men, women, children, and families, not just serious runners.

The Cape Coral Police Athletic League Turkey Tag 5K is a Thanksgiving-season 5K and 1-mile fun run held at Rotary Park in Cape Coral, Florida. The 5K begins at 8:00 AM, followed five minutes later by the 1-mile run, which is intended for families and beginners. Apex Promoz and Cape Coral PAL organize the event as part of the Cape Coral PAL Race Series; proceeds benefit PAL youth programs. The race incorporates a tag-game element into the standard run. Two participants are designated as "Turkeys," given a head start, and equipped with flag football belts. Other runners have one lap to catch them. Each Turkey wears only one flag; pulling a flag earns a prize. The 5K is chip-timed, with awards presented to the top overall male and female finishers, as well as age-group winners from 0-9 to 70+. All finishers receive a custom medal and race shirt. The event also features music, family activities, packet pickup prior to race morning, and complimentary parking at Rotary Park.

The Cooper YMCA Turkey Trot takes place Thanksgiving morning at Lincoln Memorial Park, located on South 14th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska. Participants can select either a 5K run or a 1-mile fun run. A virtual option is also available for those who prefer to participate remotely. The event is designed for both families and competitive runners. The 1-mile option provides an accessible choice, while the 5K awards the top male and female finishers, as well as age-group winners at the in-person race. Funds raised benefit the YMCA Annual Campaign-Strong Kids, aiding Lincoln families in accessing YMCA wellness programs.