The Clearwater Beach Sugar Sand Festival 5K for CFY presented by Single Source will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 9 a.m.
This run walk kicks off the final weekend of the globally acclaimed and internationally celebrated, Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival on Clearwater Beach, Florida.
The course will take place on the hard packed sand of Clearwater Beach along the shoreline, but running shoes are recommended. The run course mimics asphalt much more so than the beautiful sugar sand you will see with your free tickets to the festival in one of the greatest Sugar Sand Festival displays of art and sand on the planet.
Registration is limited to 300 in this 5K run/walk open to all ages and levels of ability.
The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival presented by Visit St.Pete-Clearwaters returns March 27 - April 12, 2026. For 17 days, Clearwater Beach takes center as Master sand sculptors from around the world will bring the beach to life in this internationally celebrated event that draws visitors from near and far. The 2026 theme, “United in Sand: Celebrating Sports & Spirit!”, is a dynamic showcase of teamwork, triumph, and tradition paired with live entertainment, fireworks, and unforgettable sunsets at Pier 60. This makes 2026 the perfect year to kick off the all-inclusive and participatory Sugar Sand Inaugural 5k Run, Walk, and Kid’s Single Source Sand Dash, welcoming participants of all ages and levels of ability.
On Saturday, April 11th, The 5K Run/Walk and Kid’s Sand Dash will take place on the hard-packed sand along the shoreline, offering a race setting that is truly unique to Clearwater Beach, Florida. With the gulf as your backdrop, participants are encouraged to bring their cameras along. The Run/Walk begins at 9 a.m. at Pier 60 and follows a scenic north out-and-back course. Participants will receive an exclusive finisher medal only available at this event.
Throughout the 17 days of Sugar Sand Festival, we’ll have some of the best live music on the main stage, performers around the venue, and fireworks at Sunsets at Pier 60. The names still being announced to perform will draw people from all over the state, as we benefit the children and sports programs through CFY Pinellas.
Registration is available ONLY on RunSignUp Included in your 5K registration is the 5 inch finisher’s medal featuring the “United In Sand” sports themed logo, your event t-shirt, one free ticket into the 24,000 square foot sand sculpture exhibit, and a goody bag stuffed by CFY Pinellas who use every dollar they raise in sponsorship dollars for the youth of Pinellas County through its 3 Pillars of Giving, Athletics, Education and Water Safety.
Timeline:
8:10 a.m. participant check in opens in front of Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach, 1 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater, Florida 33767. There is NO race day registration as this event is open to the first 300 registrants through our registration portal at www.RunSignUp.com (there is no race day registration)
9:00 a.m. Kid’s Dash ages 0-12 (children are called to the starting line by size and take part in a race designed especially for them) the children are never out of sight from parents/guardian
9:15 a.m. The run/walk 5K is called to the starting line for the national anthem and the run begins. This race is electronically timed with AMAZING 5-inch finisher’s medal, an event t-shirt, however, non-competitive in nature in our direct attempt to attract all levels of age and ability to participate. No awards will be presented but a great celebration will take place at 10 a.m. to acknowledge ALL runners at the main tent.
10:00 a.m. Sand Sculpture Exhibit is open to the runners and to the public to view this amazing United in Sand Exhibit exclusive to Clearwater Beach, April 11, 2026!
About CFY Pinellas: Established in 1972, CFY proudly supports youth athletics programs and organizations, reaching over 17,000 Pinellas County youth annually and expanding. Funding efforts are aimed at providing the children of Pinellas County the opportunity to participate in their chosen activity unhindered by costs. CFY’s Endowment allows that every dollar that is donated goes 100% to supporting a child. CFY continues to grow as we focus on three core areas: Youth Athletics Grants, Education and Water Safety. For more information, please visit our website at www.cfypinellas.org.