The RUN Manatee 5k series offers THREE adventures to celebrate ONE community. Participants will discover Manatee County's parks, beaches and preserves... on the run! The final event of the series will be held on Saturday, November 21st at Rye Preserve in Parrish, FL. The 5K run/walk presented by Run with Purpose Nutrition will allow runners to explore this beautiful slice of old Florida on mixed terrain. The preserve's trail system leads visitors through four distinctive ecosystems, including sand pine scrub, xeric oak scrub, oak hammocks and the river community. Look closely for a glimpse of the variety of interesting creatures that can be seen in these areas including the rare gopher tortoise and Florida scrub-jay.
Warm up will be provided by a local fitness trainer, and yoga cooldown by a local yoga instructor. Participants of all age and activity levels are welcome to this day of fitness, food and family fun! Grab a healthy breakfast/lunch or shop local vendors in the marketplace.. there’s plenty to do even if you're not running!
SCHEDULE:
Please plan to arrive for the 5K run by 7:30am
6:30-7:30am Packet Pick Up
7:35am National Anthem
7:40am Warm Up with a local fitness instructor
8:00am Fun Run .25km
8:15am 5k Run presented by RWP Runs
9:15am Run Awards, Top 3 male & female, Top 3 kids 12 and under.
Donation check presentation to Foundation for Dreams
9:30am Yoga with a local yoga instructor
Event entry, warm up, yoga and fun run/walk are all free but PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for the 5K portion of the event.
This event series is supporting local non-profits who enable children of all abilities to get outdoors and live an active lifestyle! 10% of registration fees will be donated to Foundation for Dreams who operates Dream Oaks Camp within Rye Preserve.
PACKET PICK UP:
November 18th and 19th 8am to 4pm @ Run With Purpose Nutrition, 8319 Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota FL
November 20th 4pm to 7pm @ G.T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave Dr W, Bradenton FL
Race Day 6:30-7:30am: Packet pick up tent at Rye Preserve
Included in 5K registration is a dri-fit event T Shirt* and finishers will earn a custom medal. Shirt sizes are guaranteed to participants who sign up by midnight on 10/30/26. Thereafter shirts will be available in a limited quantity on a first come, first served basis.
Those who accept the challenge of all 3 events in the RUN Manatee series will piece their 3 medals together to create one 2026 series medal!
Other events (registration required):
4/11/26 7:00-10:00am Tom Bennett Park REGISTER NOW!
7/11/26 5:30-8:30pm Coquina Beach REGISTER NOW!
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Tag @manateeexploreandplay and #RUNMANATEE