Watergrass Spring Run 5K

The Dogs Inc's MacDill's Paws for Heroes 5k promises to be a fun event. It features chip timing on an accurate, but not certified 5k course in a scenic Tampa (Gadsden) park. Runners (and virtual runners) will receive both a shirt and finisher's medal.

The cost to provide a guide dog for a veteran with a visual impairment or a service dog for a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder is tens of thousands of dollars, yet veterans receive these extraordinary dogs at no cost. All funds raised will benefit the Paws for Patriots (https://dogsinc.org/get-a-dog/) Program. On behalf of American heroes who have sacrificed so much, this program serves active-duty soldiers and retired servicemen and women with the respect and dignity they deserve.

NOTE: Please register by 29 March 2026 to be guaranteed a race shirt.

FAQs

1. What if the race gets canceled because of weather or another uncontrollable event? In the event that we are unable to conduct the event live, everyone will be converted to a virtual runner and we'll distribute your finisher medal and shirts.

2. Can I register the morning of the race? No. The city doesn't allow sales in the park so there will be no race day registration.

3. When is packet pickup? We will have packet pickup on-site at Gadsden Park on race morning beginning at 7 AM.

4. Can I run/walk with my dog? If you will be participating with your service dog, yes! Other dogs will not be allowed on the course due to our insurance requirements.

5. Is there a finisher's medal? Yes, all participants receive both a race shirt and a finisher's medal.

6. Are there age group awards? Yes, awards will be given to 1st through 3rd in ten-year age groups.

7. How does the virtual run work? It is done on an honor system. You can run your 5k at any time and don't have to report your finish. We'll send out your shirt and finisher's medal the week after the race.

8. What is the race course? The race course is about two and a half loops at Gadsden Park. You can preview the route at https://youtu.be/Ggi-WpyOXj4. We'll provide a course map in race day emails and have copies available for viewing during packet pickup.

Who We Are: Healthy Kids Running Series is a five (5) week running program in the spring and fall for kids Pre-K through 8th grade. Each HKRS Series takes place once a week and offers age-appropriate running events including the 50 & 75 yard dashes, the 1/4 mile, the 1/2 mile and the 1 mile run. Kids will earn points for each race they complete based on their finish.

Pricing: The registration fee covers the entire five (5) weeks of the Series which includes race bibs for each week, a runner shirt, a finisher medal and any sponsor giveaways. Registration is non-refundable and non-transferable. Online Early Bird registration increases three weeks prior to the first race event.

Challenger: This Series offers a Challenger Division which is an adaptive 75 yard race for children with disabilities and/or special needs. This allows for parents, siblings, and friends to be on the course with runners to provide support as well as bringing their own supportive devices such as crutches, braces, wheelchairs, etc. to be used by runners.

Single Day Racing: Single day race registration opens one hour prior to the start of each race. The registration fee covers one single race to be run on the day of registration. ALL single day registrations should be completed onsite at the race location. Single day racers will have the option to upgrade to the full series (see tab on the left side of the page for instructions). There is a strict no-refund and no-transfer policy.

Awards: All participants receive a medal on Week 5! Trophies will be awarded to the overall top finishers in each of the divisions listed below (broken out by boys and girls respectively):

Kindergarten & 1st Grade

2nd & 3rd Grade

4th & 5th Grade

6th to 8th Grade

Challenger

Share your running photos with our community! Find us on Facebook @HealthyKidsRunning or Instagram @healthykidsrs!

#GetUpandGo

Join us for the First Annual Tampa Sister Cities 5K Run/Walk, a special community event celebrating 60 years of sisterhood between Tampa and Barranquilla, Colombia. This exciting inaugural race will take place at Gadsden Park in Tampa, Florida, bringing together runners, walkers, families, cultural organizations, and community leaders for a morning of fitness, friendship, and international celebration.

More than just a race, the Tampa Sister Cities 5K is a vibrant celebration of global connection and cultural exchange. The event commemorates this historic milestone while highlighting the important role the Tampa Sister Cities program plays in fostering people-to-people diplomacy, cultural understanding, and international collaboration.

Participants of all ages and fitness levels are welcome. Whether you are a competitive runner, casual walker, volunteer, or enthusiastic supporter, this event offers a fun and meaningful way to engage with the community while celebrating Tampa’s global partnerships.

This inaugural 5K also serves as a community gathering for Tampa’s Sister City committees and cultural organizations, with opportunities to showcase the traditions, culture, and programs that make each international partnership unique. Cultural booths and community engagement activities will create a festive and welcoming environment for participants and spectators alike.

By participating in the Tampa Sister Cities 5K, you help:

• Celebrate six decades of international friendship between Tampa and Barranquilla

• Strengthen cultural connections across Tampa’s Sister City network

• Support Tampa Sister Cities, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

• Promote cultural exchange, education, and global understanding

• Help establish a sustainable fundraising platform for future cultural programs, exchanges, and international initiatives

The Tampa Sister Cities 5K transforms celebration into action, creating a family-friendly event where our community can come together in unity, pride, and global friendship.

We invite runners, walkers, families, volunteers, and supporters to be part of this historic first event as we celebrate the past 60 years and stride confidently into the future. Come run, walk, and celebrate with us as we honor 60 years of sisterhood between Tampa and Barranquilla.

The 5k will be a chip-timed event. All 5k participants will receive a BEAUTIFUL custom medal and T-shirt. All 1 Mile Run/Walk participants will receive a BEAUTIFUL custom T-shirt.

Registrations after April 16, 2026, will not be guaranteed a T-shirt.

Awards & Recognition

Overall Awards

Top 3 Male Finishers

Top 3 Female Finishers

Age Group Awards

1st Place male and female in each age group

(10 & under, 11–19, 20–29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+)

Note: The fastest male and female finishers in each age category will receive an award.

(Overall finishers are excluded from age category awards)

Group / Team Awards

Largest Crew on the Course – team with the most participants to finish

Best Dressed / Best Team Spirit – standout creativity, energy, and enthusiasm

Fastest Group / Team — Requires a minimum of 4 runners; based on the group’s overall average time