4 running, walking, fun run, and other events in Lima, Ohio

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.

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.

Makeup Date Information: 5/24/2026

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):

Pre-K 50 Yard Dash

Pre-K 75 Yard Dash

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

This family friendly event will be a true dedication of Amy Market Jorgensen by combining her love of running and cooking. This event will be used to raise funds to aid others escape a life of domestic violence, that unfortunately took Amy’s life in 2023.

Check in and the start/finish line will be at the amphitheater/pavilion area at Faurot Park. Parking is available at "the bowl" next to the Bradfield Center.

The food truck will accept cards, but everything else is cash only.

Same day registration is available until the race starts at 9am.

Open to the public - do not need to be a participant to visit the food truck or participate in the raffle.

This family friendly event will be a true dedication of Amy Market Jorgensen by combining her love of running and cooking. This event will be used to raise funds to aid others escape a life of domestic violence, that unfortunately took Amy’s life in 2023.

CountryFest 5k Run/Walk

Saturday, June 27, 2026 - 9:00am

Come try out our NEW 5K course!

This year we will also be hosting a FREE mile fun run for kids 10 & Under at 8:30am! Registration will be available only on the day of the event

Location

This chip timed, loop course, 5K starts and finishes at the CountryFest grounds in Maria Stein, OH.

Entry Fees

Pre-Registration is $15.00 if registered by June 26th, 2026

Race-Day Registration is $20.00 7:30am-8:30am at the race!

14 & Under are free for 2026!

Awards

Awards to the top three in each division: Male & Female 10 & Under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+

Registration only available online

Be a Part of the Mercer Health 5k Challenge

• The Challenge will be made up of 7 events.

• Online registrations will be available for all races, with the opportunity to save money by preregistering for all 7 events

• The Challenge season will begin with the Zuma 5k on June 20th and end at the Buzzard's Glory 5K on August 1st

• Challenge shirts and awards will be available at the Buzzards Glory 5k on August 1st

• Use the "Bundle" Option at registration to sign up for all 7 races at a discounted price!

2026 Mercer Health 5K Challenge Schedule

Zuma – June 20th

Country Fest - June 27th

Redskin Classic – July 5th

Shane’s Crossing – July 11th

St. Clair – July 18th

Lake Festival – July 25th

Buzzard’s Glory 5k– August 1st

32nd Annual Star Spangled Spectacular 5K

July 4, 2026 9:00 a.m.

The event begins at 9:00 a.m. when over 1,000 runners take off in the area’s largest run/walk – the Freedom 5K . The Lima Area Concert Band will perform at 8:00 p.m. in the Rotary Pavilion in Faurot Park and the areas largest fireworks display will follow around 10:00 p.m. Medals will go to the top three finishers in each age category.

Race Location:

Race starts in Faurot Park on S Cole St near the intersection of Lakewood Ave.

Registration Cost:

Freedom 5K: $20 through June 4th and $25 after June 4th, includes t-shirt if registered by June 15th

Packet Pick Up:

Race day registration is 7-9am with the race starting at 9.

Awards will be given for the following age groups: 9 & Under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+