7 walking events in Gainesville, Florida

The Greater North Central Florida Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is hosting its 2nd Annual 5K Run & Walk, which will take place at Depot Park in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, February 28th from 9 am -12 pm. Check-in begins at 8 am. We anticipate over 100 participants as we encourage health and wellness while also supporting organizations that help our community thrive.

The Pink and Blue 5K Run & Walk was established in 2025. Last year, we raised approximately $6000, donating a portion of the proceeds to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Central Florida. This year, we look forward to increasing our impact by targeting youth literacy development through the non-profit organization, Kut Different—a youth mentorship program. Kut Different provides mentorship to adolescent boys by giving them access to the tools they need to define and achieve their own versions of success. By providing structure, encouragement, and support, Kut Different ensures that every young man they serve has a path to thrive.

There are 3 ways to participate in this event:

1. PINK & BLUE RUN/WALK: Join us in person at Depot Park for the 5K Run & Walk

2. VIRTUAL RUN/WALK: Virtual attendees can register online and complete their walk or run any time leading up to the February 28th event.

3. FUN RUN: Children ages 10 and under can join our Fun Run! Children who participate in the Fun Run do not pay a registration fee to participate, but are required to secure sponsors for each .25K they run or walk. Sponsorships should be documented on this Sponsor Form. Participants' distance will be certified, and they should communicate their distance to sponsors on February 28th. All sponsorship contributions should be submitted by March 6th via the GiveEffect website. Alternatively, payments can be made to the child's parent, who will make out a check to the foundation.

Donations requiring tax deductions should be made via the GiveEffect online platform or a check written to Jack and Jill of America Foundation and mailed to GNCFC Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; P.O. Box 771771; Ocala, FL 34477.

Participants who register for the in-person 5K Run & Walk by Feb. 14th will receive a free t-shirt

Check-in starts at 7:00am; 5K starts at 8:00 am

Please join us for our 3rd Annual Gator Steps for Lung Disease benefiting the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine. This 5K walk/run aims to expedite research that could help with understanding various lung diseases and development of treatments as well as patient education.

The University of Florida Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine and Fowler Lung Foundation are thrilled to collaborate and host this event. We hope our community will join us on March 7, 2026 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the UF Cancer & Genetics Research Complex.

Gator Steps for Lung Disease will include a wide range of activities for friends and families. This event is FREE to attend though there is a small fee to participate in the 5K. Those who cannot run or walk a 5K are still encouraged to attend the community event. There will be speakers and local organizations/vendors that are free and available to everyone.

All proceeds from this event support patients and their families undergoing treatment for pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis at UF Health

Get ready, Gainesville, FL, for 4.3 mile OCR with 23+ obstacles and the monster 140-foot finishers rig set in Gainesville Fl, only 40 minutes from Jacksonville. Your abilities will be tested as you encounter the massive mud holes and 140-foot-plus finisher rig. SOME COW PATTIES in the fields, light swamps, muddy streams, rolling pine forests, and NEW and exciting obstacles for 2025. This course will challenge even the experienced runners and set new standards of family fun.

50-yard timed Ninja run. Start time is 10:45 - 1:45, with the top 10 runners going head to head for the best time for winning placements. This is an OCR Ninja run 100% completion for final placements. Side by side, two lanes starting at 2:00

5-mile trail run/walk starts at 1:15. At the start line, It is going to be run in mostly wooded spots. 2 water stops will be on the course.

National Anthem—I request all first responders, law enforcement, the Department of Corrections, retired and active military personnel, and veterans to meet me at the flagpole at 7:55 and join me personally as we salute the flag for the national anthem.

Packet Pickup - Packet pickup will open at 7:15 a.m. Athletes will receive their custom OCR OVERLOAD bib and timing strap. This strap must be worn on your ankle throughout the race, but will be turned back in as soon as you cross the finish line. Or run the race Friday night ( just no fun rigs till Saturday)

Water Stations - We will have three water stations on the course at the heavy carry obstacles. Please be very respectful of the property and throw your water bottle in the garbage can at the carry.

Elite Wave Obstacle Completion & Wrist Bands

Elite athletes must have 100% obstacle completion to be in the running for any points awarded to the Florida Championship Series in 2026. There is no limit to how many times you can do an obstacle before you choose to give up your band.

The rules of the low rigs.

Your feet cannot touch the ground. You can use the trusses during the transition points from one apparatus to the other.

There are no penalties for failing an obstacle. You must have 100% completion with your band. I suggest you take your time at the rigs and complete them. Because you never know, the person in front of you may not have the wristbands.

Elite Heat Awards for both men and women.

Podium opportunities: 0-50 ELITE RUNNERS

1st place - $200

2nd place - $150

3rd place - $100

100% obstacle completion is required.

Podium opportunities: 51- 100 ELITE RUNNERS

1st place - $400.00

2nd place - $200.00

3rd place - $150.00

100% obstacle completion is required.

Open Wave

RULES: Go out, have fun, and enjoy yourself. The volunteers will be out there to help you along the way. Do not worry about failing and obstacles because we are all there to play in the mud and have fun. There are no penalties for failing an obstacle. No Burpees, no penalty labs or anything like that. OCR OVERLOAD aims to get people and families out to enjoy themselves. We have several signature obstacles as well as base obstacles for everyone to try and enjoy.

T-Shirts & Medals - Race Swag will be available for pickup as you complete the race at the finish line.

Showers - There is a nice water hose station ready.

BBQ, Beer, and Wine- We have a local food vendor company that will be on site. We have a finisher beer and wine for everybody who is over the age of 21. And we have plenty for everyone.

PARKING $10.00 Cash only at Venue !!

Please don't forget about the 2nd lap run/walk benefit for Chain Saw Rick

This is a discounted benefit lap with proceeds going to help Rick, an amazing man who has helped so many people on and off the trails. Please click the link for more info and the discount code.

Volunteer Race

We need Volunteers at each race, 30 of them, yes, 30. We discount the race down to $2.00, which is the cost to race after you volunteer. Or we can donate $40.00 to any group or charity within 7 days of your Volunteer service. Volunteer hours is simple 4 hour blocks.

Join the Lauren’s Kids foundation and thousands of walkers across the state for the 2026 Walk in My Shoes 1,500-mile trek across Florida. April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month — every step counts in the fight to prevent child sexual abuse and help survivors heal.

WALK IN MY SHOES GAINESVILLE

Date: Sunday, April 19th, 2026

Start location: Child Advocacy Centers Inc. (500 E University Ave STE A, Gainesville, FL 32601)

Registration Begins: 11:00 AM

Walk Start: 12:00 PM

Details:

Join us for a 6-mile walk to Gainesville Woman’s Club (2809 W University Ave Gainesville, FL 32607) — with the opportunity to stop or continue walking our full 9-mile route back to the Child Advocacy Center where we started.

An UBER code will be provided to walkers to cover the cost of a ride back from the walk.