Matanzas 5000

Race to the Taste 5K

WHERE

A course through the beautiful Anastasia State Park and surrounding neighborhoods! It all starts at the St. Augustine Amphitheater.

WHEN

SUNDAY, April 12, 2026 - 10:30AM

Enjoy the "Taste of St. Augustine!" after the race!

WHAT IS THE RACE TO THE TASTE

A 5K race for both runners and walkers! We encourage strollers and families to join in on the fun! As always, the race is rock and roll themed and dressing up is ALWAYS encouraged! Our event is chip timed by Hasselmania Productions: Chip Timed Event, CERTIFIED Race Course, "Out and Back" Race

WHO BENEFITS

All proceeds benefit EPIC Behavioral Healthcare, allowing us to continue helping people on their recovery journey and those dealing with the disease of addiction.

AWARDS

• Top Overall Male & Female

• Top 3 in each age group: 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 and above.

RACE PACKET PICK-UP OPTIONS

Friday, April 10, 2026, 4-6 pm

EPIC Behavioral Healthcare

1400 Old Dixie Hwy., St. Augustine, FL 32084

(904) 829-2273, x 4002

COST- $25 until January 31

$30 February 1 - February 28

$35 March 1 - March 31

$40 April 1 - April 11

$45 day of Race

DAY OF THE RACE

April 12, 2026 8:30 - 10:00 AM

St. Augustine Amphitheatre

(at the START/FINISH line)

1340C A1A South | St. Augustine, FL 32080

COST- $45

In-Person Registration is available during packet pickup at 1400 Old Dixie Hwy., St. Augustine, FL 32084 as well as prior to the Race Sunday morning.

Register for the Race to the Taste & receive 1 Free admission into The Taste of St. Augustine! Runners will enjoy free admission for themselves and a 1/2-off coupon for a guest to The Taste of St. Augustine! (Regular Taste admission is $10 so a runner's guest will be able to pay $5 to get into the Taste.) Relax after the race and enjoy live music on the Amphitheater Backyard stage, along with sampling over 25 local restaurant's signature dishes! ("Taste Tickets" available for purchase at the event)

Sunday, April 19, 2026, 8:00 a.m.

River to Sea Preserve Trails, St. Augustine, FL, Town of Marineland

Lace up your shoes for marine science and join us for this year’s Whitney Lab 5K! Run, walk, or jog with us at the beautiful River to Sea Preserve trails (or anywhere with our virtual option) to celebrate marine science. This year's featured animal - the hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria)!

All 5K proceeds will go to the Whitney Laboratory gift fund, a fund that powers the lab's programming including community lectures, public education, facilities improvements, public events, and critical student experiences at the lab. It is essential to operating all the programs at the lab!

5K Registration

Race limited to only 200 in person participants!

Registration opens February 20.

Shirt and medal provided to all participants (in person and virtual); proceeds support the UF Whitney Lab for Marine Bioscience

February 20 - March 10: $35

March 11- 31: $40

April 1- April 17: $45

April 19, Day of Race Registration (in-person at packet pick-up only 6:30-7:30 AM): $45

Virtual: $45

Preferred shirt size only available to those registered by March 22.

March 23 - April 19 Registrations will receive a large shirt size.

If virtual option is chosen your shirt and medal will be mailed out after April 19. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.

Race Information

Race Start

Sunday, April 19, 2026

8:00 AM

River to Sea Preserve - 9805 Ocean Shore Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32137

Post race refreshments.

Race Course

The course will include 3 loops on the Matanzas Hammock Loop and South Hammock Loop entirely on trails and is around a 5K length (approximately 3.2). There will be a sign at the start of the loop but not at mile distances.

Course Map

Parking

Free parking is available at the River to Sea Preserve near race start, River to Sea Preserve Parking lot near beach, or DEP Marineland Field Station. Carpooling encouraged as spots are limited. Public parking area available also at the Whitney Laboratory (Approximately 1/2 mile away from the race start).

Packet Pick Up

Race Day Packet Pick Up: Sunday, April 19, 2026, 6:30 - 7:30 AM – River to Sea Preserve 9805 Ocean Shore Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080

Awards

Top Overall Male & Female, Top 3 in each age group: 10 and under, 11-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and above.

Kids Fun Run

Free kids fun run will be after the 5K.

Contact Us

Questions - Wh-whitneylab@ufl.edu

Join us as a Sponsor!

Whitney Lab 5K Sponsorship - https://www.whitney.ufl.edu/media/wwwwhitneyufledu/images/files/5K-Sponsor-Levels-1.pdf

Contact Karen Romas at 904-201-8401 or email Wh-whitneylab@ufl.edu

Just Tri It! Kids Triathlon

Location:

Solomon Calhoun Community Center

1300 Duval Street, Saint Augustine, FL 32084

Date & Time:

• Sunday, April 26, 2026

• Packet pick-up and bike check-in starts at 7:00 AM and closes as 7:45 AM

• Race starts at 8:00 AM

Road Closures:

All roads closest to the facility will be closed at 7:45 AM – please do not be late!

Event Description

Get ready for an exciting swim, bike, and run adventure at the Just Tri It! Kids Triathlon! This chip-timed event is a great way for kids ages 5-14 to experience a real triathlon in a fun and supportive environment.

Age Group Distances

Ages 5-8: Swim: 50 meters (2 pool lengths)

Bike: 1 mile

Run: 0.5 mile

Ages 9-11: Swim: 100 meters (4 pool lengths)

Bike: 1 mile

Run: 1 mile

Ages 12-14: Swim: 150 meters (6 pool lengths)

Bike: 1 mile

Run: 1.5 miles

NEW for 2026! The Tri4Fun division:

Do this event WITH your Child! Totally Fun, Non-Scored or Timed Division. Open to Children and Adults Ages 5 & Up! You must purchase One Entry each for Adult or Child.

Swim: 50 meters (2 pool lengths)

Bike: 1 mile

Run: 0.5 mile

Participants must bring their own bikes and helmets – no training wheels allowed!

Race Fees & Inclusions

Race Fee:

$40 January 22nd - April 18th

$50 April 19th - 26th

Includes

• Race bib

• Just Tri It! Kids Triathlon T-shirt

• Finisher’s medal

• Event photo

• Official results posted online

Race Day Information

Arrival & Parking: Park in the designated area between the baseball fields and Osceola Rd. Look for signs upon arrival.

Check-In: Visit the registration tent at the front of the facility upon arrival.

Opening Ceremony: Begins at 7:55 AM – we will go over the race-course and event details.

Swimming:

• Athletes should arrive wearing their swimsuits

• Athletes exit the pool and transition to the picnic table area where their shirts, towels, socks, and shoes will be placed.

Biking:

• Kids will run to their bikes (which should be labeled with their name) and put on their helmet.

• They will complete a marked bike loop before transitioning to the final run.

Running:

• It is recommended that the athletes wear running or tennis shoes to participate in

Results & Photos

Finishing times will be recorded using race bibs – bibs must be worn on the front of shirts.

Results and photos will be posted on The DRC Sports Results Page

What to Bring for Each Athlete

• Bicycle (no training wheels)

• Bicycle helmet (required)

• Shirt (with race bib pinned on the front)

• Socks & Running shoes

• Towel

• Optional: Swimming goggles & swim cap

Follow Us for Updates!

Facebook & Instagram: @sjcparksandrec

Join us for an unforgettable experience and encourage your child to Just Tri It!

See you Sunday, April 26!

Lace up and kick off your day at the Fit Street Market 5K Run/Walk – a fun, welcoming race for all paces and fitness levels.

This 3.1-mile course will take participants through the streets surrounding Francis Field in St. Augustine, FL, offering a lively atmosphere to get moving, sweat, and celebrate community. Whether you are a seasoned runner chasing a new personal record, a casual jogger, or walking with friends and family, this 5K is for you.

After crossing the finish line, stick around and enjoy the full Fit Street Market experience:

• Local health and wellness vendors

• Fitness activations and mini-classes

• Food trucks and refreshments

• Music, photo ops, and community vibe

The 5K is a great way to:

• Jump-start your wellness journey

• Support local businesses and fitness professionals

Enjoy an active day outdoors in a positive, encouraging environmentCome run, jog, or walk – just show up and move with us at Fit Street Market.

Join us for the Waves of Hope 5K, a community run benefiting the Tidal Resilience Foundation, a Northeast Florida nonprofit supporting children and families who have experienced the loss of a parent or caregiver. Your participation directly funds our ocean‑rooted resilience programs, including Resilience Kits, Resilience Weeks, and our upcoming Resilience Rides paddle‑based healing experiences.

All runners will receive a race shirt and finisher medal.

After crossing the finish line, head over to Back 40 A1A for the official post‑race celebration, where participants can enjoy live music, great food, community, and redeem their race ticket for their first drink on the house.

Run with us, support local families, and help bring hope and healing through the lessons of the ocean.

We will be awarding our fastest runners based on age and gender. This event will be proffessionally chip timed by Florida Race Day