11 running events in Manatee County, Florida
From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find running events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
Manatee County
11 events in Manatee County-
Sat, Jan 10, 2026 at 8:00 AMSee full details
Get ready, Twin Rivers!
This year, we’re bringing the community together for an exciting 10-part 5K Run/Walk series designed to inspire, connect, and give back to our local charities in Parrish, FL! Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a casual walker, or just looking for a fun way to support meaningful causes, this series is for YOU!
Participate in the whole series and earn a Twin Rivers 10- Series Medal to showcase your dedication to health, community, and giving back!
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Sat, Jan 31, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
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ONCE AGAIN OFFERING THIS YEAR!
The Mills Mountain Lion 1-Mile Family Fun Run/Walk!
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Virgil Mills Elementary is hosting a FAMILY FRIENDLY 5K Run-Walk for all to participate. Proceeds will benefit the Virgil Mills Elementary PE department. 5K participants will be chip-timed.
All paces are welcome! We encourage runners, walkers, and strollers; our aim is to help everyone achieve their own personal goal. Just come out and move your body, we want to see you! Al...
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Sat, Mar 28, 2026 at 7:30 AMSee full details
Dodging cow patties as you run through cow pasture, into a trail system, along a river, navigate through a wooded section and back to the finish through a big open field.
We want to make this a fun gathering of families and friends for years to come. Come and run, hangout, get outside with us for the first year of this race and lets make some fun memories together. The goal of this event is to "fill the tin" for an orphanage in Nairobi Kenya that we have known and supported over the past almost 20 years. https://www.morningstarorphanage.com/
The race will start at 7:30am. It is a family even so we want to see everyone out there running.
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Sun, Apr 12, 2026 at 3:30 PMSee full details
Who We Are: Healthy Kids Running Series is a five (5) week running program in the spring and fall for kids Pre-K through 8th grade. Each HKRS Series takes place once a week and offers age appropriate running events including the 50 & 75 yard dashes, the 1/4 mile, the 1/2 mile and the 1 mile run. Kids will earn points for each race they complete based on their finish.
Pricing: The registration fee covers the entire five (5) weeks of the Series which includes race bibs for each week, a runner shirt, a finisher medal and any sponsor giveaways. Registration is non-refundable and non-transferable. Online Early Bird registration increases three weeks prior to the first race event.
Makeup Date Information: 5/17/2026
Challenger: This Series offers a Challenger Division which is an adaptive 75 yard race for children with disabilities and/or special needs. This allows for parents, siblings, and friends to be on the course with runners to provide support as well as bringing their own supportive devices such as crutches, braces, wheelchairs, etc. to be used by runners.
Single Day Racing: Single day race registration opens one hour prior to the start of each race. The registration fee covers one single race to be run on the day of registration. ALL single day registrations should be completed onsite at the race location. Single day racers will have the option to upgrade to the full series (see tab on the left side of the page for instructions). There is a strict no-refund and no-transfer policy.
Awards: All participants receive a medal on Week 5! Trophies will be awarded to the overall top finishers in each of the divisions listed below (broken out by boys and girls respectively):
Kindergarten & 1st Grade
2nd & 3rd Grade
4th & 5th Grade
6th to 8th Grade
Challenger
Share your running photos with our community! Find us on Facebook @HealthyKidsRunning or Instagram @healthykidsrs!
#GetUpandGo
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Sat, Jun 13, 2026 at 7:20 AMSee full details
Join us at Buffalo Creek Park to celebrate Flag Day! All entries receive a PatrioticT-shirt and a Custom Bigfoot Finishing Medal. 250th year PatrioticTshirt design is here! Sign up early to be guaranteed a shirt. You will not want to miss out!
Little Foot race 12 and under: Entry fee $15 Little Foot, $20 Day of race. Starts at 7:20Am. Includes a cool medal and a T-shirt. Run a short out and back sprint with Bigfoot! See if you can beat him!
Results: 5k race includes live chip timing. Live results provided online and via text/email. The race will be professionally timed by the J3 Timing.
Age Group Awards (5k): Bigfoot Trophies to Overall and Masters (40+). Top 3 in each age group: 12 & under, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+. Age group awards presented live during the race!
Packet Pick Up: 6:00Am At Buffalo Creek Park (Playground area)
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Sat, Jul 11, 2026 at 5:30 PMSee full details
The RUN Manatee 5k series offers THREE adventures to celebrate ONE community. Participants will discover Manatee County's parks, beaches and preserves... on the run! The second event of the series will be held on Saturday, July 11th at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach, FL. The 5K run/walk presented by RWP Runs includes a scenic route along Coquina Beach asphalt trail under the trees with a gulf breeze. *New this year: Splash Zones to keep cool along the route!
Warm up will be provided by Ray Gardner of Prosper Bradenton and yoga cooldown provided by a local yoga studio at dusk. Participants of all age and activity levels are welcome to this day of fitness, food and family fun! Grab a healthy snack/dinner, shop local vendors in the marketplace or stay to enjoy a beverage during sunset.. there’s plenty to do even if you're not running!
SCHEDULE:
Please plan to arrive for the 5K run by 6:00pm
5:00-6:00pm Packet Pick Up
6:00pm National Anthem
6:05pm Warm Up with Ray Gardner of Prosper Bradenton
6:15pm Fun Run .25km
6:30pm 5k Run presented by RWP Runs
7:30pm Run Awards, Top 3 male & female, Top 3 kids 12 and under.
Donation Check to The Center Anna Maria Island
8:00pm Yoga with local yoga instructor
Event entry, warm up, yoga and fun run are all free but PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for the 5K portion of the event.
This event series is supporting local non-profits who enable children of all abilities to get outdoors and live an active lifestyle! 10% of registration fees will be donated to The Center Anna Maria Island.
PACKET PICK UP:
July 8th and 9th 8am to 4pm @ Run With Purpose Nutrition, 8319 Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota FL
July 10th 4pm to 7pm @ G.T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave Dr W, Bradenton FL
Saturday/Race Day 5:00-6:00pm: Packet pick up tent at Coquina Beach South Event Space
Included in 5K registration is a dri-fit event T Shirt*, a custom medal and complimentary beer. Shirt sizes are guaranteed to participants who sign up by midnight on 6/19/26. Thereafter shirts will be available in a limited quantity on a first come, first served basis.
Those who accept the challenge of all 3 events in the RUN Manatee series will piece their 3 medals together to create one 2026 series medal!
Other events (registration required):
4/11/26 7:30-10:00am Tom Bennett Park - REGISTER NOW!
11/21/26 7:30-10:00am Rye Preserve - REGISTER NOW
FOLLOW THE BUZZ ON SOCIAL:
Tag @manateeexploreandplay and #RUNMANATEE
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Sat, Oct 17, 2026 at 6:00 PMSee full details
Can you outrun all the zombies?! This will be a fun run you won't want to miss! As you are running weary of the zombies lurking around, for if they take all 3 of your flags that you will be wearing around your waist, you turn into one of them and do not get to come across the finish line! Make no mistake, they are fast!!
Each runner will receive...that comes across the finish line:
Snacks and refreshments
A stylish t-shirt
Recognizing Top Performers:
We will honor the top three male and female finishers in each age group, so lace up those shoes and give it your best!
FREE BREAKFEST
Categories:
Age Group Awards (10-year)
<12, 13-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+
Enjoy the Atmosphere:
Important Pre-Race Details:
Stretch Session:
Join us 30 minutes before the race for a guided stretch session.
Meet the Race Director:
Take the opportunity to meet your new race director, who is excited to welcome you and support you throughout the event
Let’s Make It Fun!
We can’t wait to see you for a day filled with excitement, community spirit, and great memories.
Thank you for being part of the Independence 5K!
Happy Racing! 🏅🎉
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Sat, Nov 21, 2026 at 7:00 AMSee full details
The RUN Manatee 5k series offers THREE adventures to celebrate ONE community. Participants will discover Manatee County's parks, beaches and preserves... on the run! The final event of the series will be held on Saturday, November 21st at Rye Preserve in Parrish, FL. The 5K run/walk presented by Run with Purpose Nutrition will allow runners to explore this beautiful slice of old Florida on mixed terrain. The preserve's trail system leads visitors through four distinctive ecosystems, including sand pine scrub, xeric oak scrub, oak hammocks and the river community. Look closely for a glimpse of the variety of interesting creatures that can be seen in these areas including the rare gopher tortoise and Florida scrub-jay.
Warm up will be provided by a local fitness trainer, and yoga cooldown by a local yoga instructor. Participants of all age and activity levels are welcome to this day of fitness, food and family fun! Grab a healthy breakfast/lunch or shop local vendors in the marketplace.. there’s plenty to do even if you're not running!
SCHEDULE:
Please plan to arrive for the 5K run by 7:30am
6:30-7:30am Packet Pick Up
7:35am National Anthem
7:40am Warm Up with a local fitness instructor
8:00am Fun Run .25km
8:15am 5k Run presented by RWP Runs
9:15am Run Awards, Top 3 male & female, Top 3 kids 12 and under.
Donation check presentation to Foundation for Dreams
9:30am Yoga with a local yoga instructor
Event entry, warm up, yoga and fun run/walk are all free but PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for the 5K portion of the event.
This event series is supporting local non-profits who enable children of all abilities to get outdoors and live an active lifestyle! 10% of registration fees will be donated to Foundation for Dreams who operates Dream Oaks Camp within Rye Preserve.
PACKET PICK UP:
November 18th and 19th 8am to 4pm @ Run With Purpose Nutrition, 8319 Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota FL
November 20th 4pm to 7pm @ G.T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave Dr W, Bradenton FL
Race Day 6:30-7:30am: Packet pick up tent at Rye Preserve
Included in 5K registration is a dri-fit event T Shirt* and finishers will earn a custom medal. Shirt sizes are guaranteed to participants who sign up by midnight on 10/30/26. Thereafter shirts will be available in a limited quantity on a first come, first served basis.
Those who accept the challenge of all 3 events in the RUN Manatee series will piece their 3 medals together to create one 2026 series medal!
Other events (registration required):
4/11/26 7:00-10:00am Tom Bennett Park REGISTER NOW!
7/11/26 5:30-8:30pm Coquina Beach REGISTER NOW!
FOLLOW THE BUZZ ON SOCIAL:
Tag @manateeexploreandplay and #RUNMANATEE
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Sat, Dec 19, 2026 at 8:00 AMSee full details
Race Information
The race starts at 8:00 AM.
Packet pickup starts 30 minutes before the race and ends 10 minutes before the race starts.
All runners must register on RunSignup.
No on-site registration.
Additional Information
Park next to the playground in the big parking lot.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tR9gN2aDTZaWW8PS7
5K & 10K Course (1.56M)
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/3423331954
The course is an out-and-back (3.11M)
The 5K does the out-and-back one time.
The 10K does the out-and-back two times.
Half Marathon Course (1.64M)
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5504167654
The course is an out-and-back (3.28M).
The Half Marathon does the out-and-back four times.
Course Time Limit
3 hours and 30 minutes.
Finisher Medals
https://usroadrunning.com/FinisherMedals.php
Shirt and Gear Shop
https://usroadrunning.com/Gear.php
Best Costume
https://usroadrunning.com/BestCostume.php
Series Points
https://usroadrunning.com/S.php
Awards
https://usroadrunning.com/Awards.php
Frequently Asked Questions and Information
https://usroadrunning.com/FAQ.php
US Road Running
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Sat, Dec 19, 2026 at 8:00 AMSee full details
🎉 Welcome to Santas 5k and 1 mile run!
We’re thrilled to have you join us for an unforgettable race in Bradenton. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your experience:
📍 Event Overview:
Race: Santas 5k and mile run
Location: 1200 Glory Way Blvd, Bradenton, FL 34212
Packet Pick-Up: Race morning starting at 6:30 AM
Race Start Time: 8:00 AM
🎽 Runner Perks:
A stylish race t-shirt
Post-race snacks & Grilled refreshments
A fun, festive atmosphere
Age group awards and recognition
Age Group Categories:
<24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69,70+
🎶 Race Day Fun: Music to keep the energy high and create a great, holiday-spirited atmosphere. 🧘 Pre-Race Stretch Session: Join us 30 minutes before the race for a guided group stretch to warm up and get ready to run. Thank you for being part of this fun run experience! We’re so excited to see you at the start line! Let’s make this a race to remember!
Happy Racing! 🏃♀️🏃♂️
5k run through the Christian Retreat