4 events in Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Central Kentucky Athletics presents: The Heartland Hustle

Join us for the Heartland Hustle, a premier running event featuring 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon distances along the scenic trails of Freeman Lake in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Open to runners and walkers of all ages and experience levels, this event offers a welcoming, community-centered atmosphere while promoting healthy, active lifestyles.

Whether you're aiming for a personal best or simply enjoying a morning outdoors with friends and family, the Heartland Hustle delivers a rewarding race-day experience — all in support of youth athletics in Central Kentucky.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026

Location: Freeman Lake Park, Elizabethtown, KY

Start/Finish: Lions Club Pavilion (adjacent to the new playground)

Park Access: Please use the Old Freeman Lake Park Entrance for the best access to race staging.

Packet Pickup: Begins at 7:00 AM on race morning

Race Options:

5K

10K

Half Marathon

Strollers are welcome, and leashed (non-retractable) pets are permitted on the course. The event is designed to be family-friendly and inclusive.

Participant Perks:

High-quality finisher’s medal

Professionally timed race with results posted live

Support a Great Cause

All proceeds benefit Central Kentucky Athletics and its mission to develop and support youth sports programs across the region.

Registration & Pricing:

5k: $25 (early bird through 1/22/26) - Regular Rate: $35

10k: $35 (early bird through 1/22/26)- Regular Rate: $45

Half Marathon: $65 (early bird through 1/22/26)- Regular Rate: $75

Register early to secure the best rates and guarantee your race swag!

Join Us

Experience the Heartland Hustle—where community, competition, and cause come together. We look forward to seeing you at the start line!

Gavin’s Gallop 5K isn’t just another race on the calendar. It’s a chance to stand beside families walking through something most of us can’t imagine.

All proceeds from this event go to Gavin’s Gifts, a nonprofit helping families affected by Batten Disease, a rare childhood condition. Your registration helps provide financial assistance, home modifications, and care-related support for families who need it.

Click Here for more information on Gavin's Gift.

Join us on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at the Lions Club Pavilion at Freeman Lake Park. The course follows the scenic trail by the lake on an out-and-back route, with a water stop at the turnaround.

Race Details:

Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026

Location: Lions Club Pavilion, Freeman Lake Park

Start Time: 8:30 AM

Packet Pickup: Race morning only, beginning at 7:30 AM

Registration:

Adults: $35

Kids 12 and under: $20

Every participant will receive a finisher’s medal to mark the day and the difference you helped make.

We hope to see you at Freeman Lake Park on Saturday, June 13, 2026.

Now Officially Managed By Central Kentucky Race Management!

Central Kentucky Race Management and The Hardin County History Museum proudly present the 7th Annual "Tim Walker Founders' Day 5K Run/ Walk" on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at the Elizabethtown Sports Park. This historic event is dedicated to one of the Founders' Day organizers Tim C. Walker who also served as mayor from (2011-2013) before his term was cut short by his untimely death on June 14, 2013.

Tim Walker shaped the history of Elizabethtown and Hardin County and made it a better place, so please join us on July 4th!

Registration

Registration is $25

Each registered runner will receive a Race T-shirt (to be guaranteed a T-shirt, please register by the shirt deadline of June 19, 2026)

Kids 9 and Under run for only $10

Packet Pickup

Packet pickup will be race morning beginning at 7am at the soccer pavilion located near the back of the park on the right. The race will start at 8 am. The course will remain inside the sports park and travel along the asphalt walking trail surrounding the park. Each loop will be 1.55 miles long. There will be a water stop after the first loop. Bathrooms will be open for the runners at the Sports Park.

This race is a fundraiser for the Hardin County History Museum and is in honor of our late Mayor Tim Walker, who created Founders' Day. The event moved last year to the Sports Park he loved and helped create, making the day even better.

About Tim Walker

Tim was a history lover and an outstanding leader at the museum, in the local community, and in his church. As a leader, he shared his faith and his vision to improve the quality of life for all. This 5k is dedicated to his memory and was created to honor his legacy by bringing families together in downtown Elizabethtown to celebrate our city's birth.

Robert F. Kennedy once said, "It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an idea or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope."