MacDill's Paws 4 Heroes 5K (Formerly Paws for Patriots 5k)

It's Time For Take off!

TPA's 5K on the Runway

April 11, 2026

This event is like no other in the Tampa Bay area

Participants get the rare opportunity to run on a real airport runway - a truly one-of-a-kind experience!

Amazing food from our own WayPointeTPA.

Spectators are welcome at no additional cost.

Registration includes a race shirt.

Free parking is available.

This race is limited to the first 2,000 participants. There is no onsite registration.

Registration opens January 15, 2026 at 12:00am

Race Fee: $60

Gates Open @ 6:00AM

Runners Move To Start Line @ 7:20AM

Race Starts Promptly @ 8:00AM

Bib/Shirt Pickup Dates:

Tuesday, April 7th (9am - 5pm)

Wednesday, April 8th (9am - 7pm)

Race Day, April 11th (6am - 7am) not available after 7:00am!

Not in Tampa? Sign up for our Virtual 5K.

You pick the path and run when it's convenient for you. We will mail you an awesome TPA 5K shirt with our new finisher medal in April.

The run benefits United Way Suncoast, an organization that supports community outreach programs and provides direct and significant impact to improve the lives of thousands of people in the Tampa Bay area. For more information, visit www.TampaAirport.com/5K

NOTE: All children must be able to complete the course on their own. No strollers or baby carriers permitted.

Join us for our 5th Annual Race for Education 5K on Saturday, April 18, 2026!

The Race for Education 5K is a run/walk to benefit Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS). HCPS and the Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF) proudly partner for the event. The 2026 Race for Education is April 18, 2026.

Let's pick up the pace for public education as we prepare students for life in Hillsborough County Public Schools! Runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels are invited for fun-filled miles in Tampa to support our schools. Participants will enjoy music performances by students throughout the miles!

In addition to the 5k, there is an untimed 1-mile race option. Both the 5k and 1-mile events can be run or walked.

Registration includes a swag bag with a race-day bib, freebies from our partners in education and a shirt.* All finishers receive a medal.

• Race shirt* for all participants

• Post race food and drink

• Goodie bags for all participants

• Finisher medals to all participants 5K/1 Mile

• Awards to Overall 5k Male/Female

• 5k Awards: 1st, 2nd, 3rd place (five-year age groups)

*Close to race day, shirt size choices are available on a first come, first served basis.

Our post-race celebration is like non other in the area! We have giveaways, snacks, and refreshments.

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5k Registration

• $35 Thru January 31st

• $40 from February 1st to March 31st

• $45 Race Day

1-Mile Registration

• $20 Thru Race Day

Packet Pickups:

• Wednesday, April 9. Spurlino YMCA. 9650 Old Big Bend Road, Riverview, FL 33578. 12 - 2 pm/ 6 - 8 pm

• Thursday, April 10. Fit2Run International Plaza. 2223 N Westshore Blvd, Tampa, Fl 33607. 12 - 2 pm/ 6 - 8 pm

• Friday, April 11. Blake High School. 1701 N. Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607. 4:30-7:30 pm

• Saturday, April 12 (Race Day!) Blake High School. 1701 N. Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607. 6:30 a.m.

Race Start Times:

5K - 8:00 a.m. (chip timed)

1 Mile Run/Walk - 9:15 a.m. (running time clock)

Awards (5K only) - approximately 9:15 am

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PARKING

Parking is available for free at Blake High School in the parking garage, as well as Stewart Middle Magnet School and Riverwalk STEM Academy at Just Elementary. We recommend all participants access these three parking options via Spruce Street.

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