Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival 5K Run / Walk and Maple 1 Mile Run / Walk

Sunburst Races presented by KeyBank, will once again kick off summer in The Bend! Race day is officially set for Saturday, May 30, 2026.

We are proud to offer events for all fitness levels, including a half marathon, 10K run, 5K run, and a 5K fitness walk. Strollers, joggers, wagons, and baby carriers are allowed in the 5K Fitness Walk only. No bikes, scooters, skates, rollerblades, or similar items are permitted in any event due to safety/trip hazards.

For kids who want to walk or run, the minimum age for participation in the 5K or 10K is 6 years of age (on race day) and the minimum age for participation in the half marathon is 10 years of age (on race day). All kids, ages 6 and up, who are participating must be registered.

All events start and finish at the Century Center. There will be a beer garden for those 21 and older (ID required) and a family fun zone with activities for our youngest Sunburst-ers.

All race proceeds and donations will continue to benefit Beacon Children's Hospital.

To grow our impact and reach even more children and families, we offer participant fundraising through RunSignup. There is no obligation to raise funds, but if you feel called to the mission, you have an opportunity to do so. With participants able to fundraise, we have the potential to make an incredible impact! With the tools that RunSignup provides, it's a simple and seamless process.

Packet Pickup Information

Participants have 2 options to get their full packets (bib and shirt). These include: picking up in person (or having someone pick up for them) at Packet Pickup on Friday, May 29 at the Century Center from 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. or by selecting the mailing option when registering for the race (the mailing option is available until May 8).

For race morning pickup, ONLY BIBS are guaranteed at the information tent.

Sunburst is a special community event with a rich history; many participants (and volunteers) join us year after year. In 2026, we celebrate the 42nd running of Sunburst Races. Don't miss it!

We look forward to seeing you and celebrating race weekend with you. Best of luck with your training!

***No refunds under any circumstances (please note: If you are concerned about the possible need for a cancellation or refund, race insurance is available for purchase when registering)

***Be sure to check back closer to race day - start times, course maps, etc. could have modest changes to the details currently posted

On June 3, We Run Together.

Global Running Day is our holiday! A celebration of the activity we love and the sport that brings our community together. We invite all runners and walkers to join us for this free event on Wednesday, June 3, to mark the occasion, set a goal, and cross the finish line. We encourage you to bring your family, friends, and neighbors. This year, we will also have an a la carte option to be chip-timed.

This year's event will be happening in-person at Central Park and will be a 5k distance on the beautiful Riverwalk! The race will begin at 7:00 PM. Packet pick-up will be at the Fleet Feet Mishawaka store (3522 Grape Road, Mishawaka, IN) on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 between 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM and day-of-packet-pickup will be available starting at 5:00 PM from the Bendix Pavilion at Central Park.

The Big Run Finisher Medals, Shirts, and Hats can be purchased in the event store.

The Big Run has partnered with Girls on the Run for this event and encourages participants, if able, to donate their registration fee to Girls on the Run. You can donate during your registration or click on the link below for Girls on the Run.

Help Us Give Back: Through our charitable arm, Do the Run Thing™, Fleet Feet has partnered with Girls on the Run and its SoleMates program so we can help more girls cross more finish lines. Why? Because everyone benefits when we support our kids.

Here are two ways you can help:

1. Become a Solemate! Solemates raise critical funds for Girls on the Run while completing a physical challenge. You don't need to be a star athlete to join—you only need to be a champion for the girls in their communities.

2. Donate to your local Girls on the Run council. Your donation will benefit Girls on the Run programs and participants in the Michiana community.

Stay connected:

● Find community at your local Fleet Feet.

● Sign up for our newsletters and join the Fleet Feet Milestones Program and Strava Club

● Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Fleet Feet Mishawaka.

Join the Family Justice Center on Saturday, June 20, 2026 for the 9th annual Bacon Around the Bend 5k! This scenic downtown 5k will once again feature our famous BACON STATION at the halfway point along the route. All finishers are invited to celebrate their achievement with post-race bacon-themed snacks at a finish line party hosted at Corby's Irish Pub. Participants over the age of 21 will also have the opportunity to toast their achievement with festive libations including our signature Bacon Bloody Mary.

Please note that this is family fun run and NOT a timed event; the bacon is the true prize!

Registration fees:

Adults - $40 includes race shirt, drink ticket and admission to finish line party

Ages 13-20 - $25 includes race shirt and admission to finish line party

Ages 4-12 - $10 includes race shirt and admission to finish line party

Bring your family (strollers welcome and bacon babies age three and under are free)!

Costumes encouraged!

#FJCBacon2026

This bacon-tastic event serves as an opportunity for the FJC to share its mission of providing help, healing, and hope to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and their families. For more information on the services available at the Family Justice Center, please visit www.fjcsjc.org. Our 24-hour crisis number is 574-289-HELP.

Consider sponsoring a survivor to participate in the fun by donating race fees at the link below!

Sponsor a Survivor

Join us for the Ideal Beach Triathlon, an exhilarating event set against the stunning backdrop of Elkhart, Indiana! This triathlon is designed for athletes of all ages and skill levels, offering a variety of race formats to challenge and inspire participants.

Event Types:

Sprint Individual Triathlon: Perfect for seasoned triathletes and newcomers alike, this event features a 400-yard swim, a 12-mile bike ride, and a 3.1-mile run. Test your limits and race against the clock in this fast-paced challenge!

Sprint Relay Triathlon: Gather your friends and form a team for the Sprint Relay! Each member will tackle a segment of the race: one will swim 400 yards, another will bike 12 miles, and the final teammate will complete the 3.1-mile run. It's a fantastic way to experience the thrill of triathlon together!

Kids Competitive Triathlon: Young athletes can showcase their skills in this competitive event, featuring a 25-yard swim, a 1-mile bike ride, and a 0.5-mile run. It's a great opportunity for kids to challenge themselves and enjoy the spirit of competition.

Kids Non-competitive Triathlon: Designed for younger participants who want to have fun without the pressure of competition, this event includes a 25-yard swim, a 1-mile bike ride, and a 0.5-mile run. It's all about participation, enjoyment, and building confidence!

Location:

The Ideal Beach Triathlon takes place in the picturesque setting of Elkhart, IN, where participants can enjoy the beauty of nature while pushing their limits.

Whether you're a seasoned triathlete or a first-time participant, the Ideal Beach Triathlon promises an unforgettable experience filled with camaraderie, competition, and fun. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to challenge yourself and create lasting memories! Sign up today and be part of this exciting event!

Heart of a Warrior Award

This award is meant to honor Toby Deweese’s personality, character, and ability to overcome adversity. If you or someone you know is competing in the triathlon for the first time or has overcome life challenges to get to the starting line of this year’s race, please nominate them!

Click Here to submit a nomination.

Packet Pickup:

Friday, June 25th from 4-6pm

Ideal Beach Waterpark

52256 Ideal Beach Rd, Elkhart, IN 46514

Saturday, June 27th from 6-7:30am

Ideal Beach Waterpark

52256 Ideal Beach Rd, Elkhart, IN 46514

A fun and challenging triathlon for your little ones to compete in! Open to children ages 5-14, kids will swim, bike, and run their way to the finish line. After crossing the finish line, enjoy activities inside the track, support and congratulate fellow racers, and attend the awards ceremony for the top winners of each age division.

The SBVPA 2026 Kids Triathlon promotes a healthy and active lifestyle for children throughout the entire northern Indiana region featuring a 50 yard swim*, 1 mile bike ride, and 1/2 mile run. There will be one swimmer per lane, per wave and lifeguards will be on duty and in the water to ensure the safety of all participants. For ages 5-8, one guardian per swimmer is allowed on the pool deck.

No refunds for this event. Proceeds will benefit South Bend Venues Parks & Arts Youth Scholarship Program.

*Age groups 5 - 6, 7- 8 will be participating in a 25 yard swim.

Scholarships Available

Scholarships for the 2026 Kids Triathlon are available. Please visit sbvpa.org/scholarships for more information about South Bend Venues Parks & Arts Youth Scholarships.

Safety Information

Children of all ages and abilities are able to use flotation devices and training wheels in the 2026 Kids Triathlon. For safety, refrain from using inflatable life jackets and water wings. There will be coastguard-approved life jackets provided by South Bend Venues Parks & Arts.

For the biking portion of the triathlon, helmets will be required for all ages.

Awards

At the end of the running portion, each athlete will receive a medal after crossing the finish line. The top 6 athletes in each age group will receive a trophy.

Please note that early bird registration will end May 31 at 11:59pm and the 2025 Kids Triathlon will cost $30/participant starting June 1.

Rain date is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026.

Deadline to guarantee t-shirt is June 30, 2026.