16th Annual Superhero 5K and Fun Run

DESCRIPTION
The 16th Annual Superhero 5K & Fun Run will be held on February 6, 2027, at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota. The start/finish line will be ON THE ISLAND near the rowing finish tower!

This is a Foster Care Awareness Event. In-person and virtual racing options are available.

The Kids' Fun Run starts at 8:30am. The 5K will be on a CHIP START between 9-9:10am. You will receive an official chip time and place. Master and Overall timed at gun time 9am. USATF Rules.

More than just a race, the Superhero race brings together child welfare agencies and the community to highlight the approximately 700 youth who are in local foster care in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto Counties, while providing a family-friendly event with music, a kiddie zone, food, and giveaways. 

We believe that kids in foster care and those who care for them are some of our community's most incredible heroes, which is the reason we have chosen a superhero theme. So don't be shy... come dressed as your favorite hero and get ready for an awesome race and cause! Participation medals will be awarded to the first 700 5K runners to cross the finish line!

--Event Awesomeness:

An amazing venue at Nathan Benderson Park in beautiful Sarasota, FL. Close to everything University Town Center has to offer!

--Trophies: Best Superhero Family, Best Male & Female Superhero Costumes, Team Spirit (Team With Most Runners), Best Pet Superhero Costume.
MEDALS for those who wear a costume!!

5K AWARDS
Overall- Male and Female
Master- Male and Female (fastest over the age of 40)
Grand Master- Male and Female (fastest over the age of 50)
Senior Master- Male and Female (fastest over the age of 60)
Veteran Master- Male and Female (fastest over the age of 70)
Youth Overall- Male and Female (fastest under the age of 13)
--Awards for 1st-3rd Male and Female in the following age groups:                                                                                 
9 and under, 10-12, 13-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 
40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 
85-89, 90+

--Youth*/Adult 5K Registration Fee Schedule: (5K youth price is for under 18 years old)

$20/30 June 1  -- Nov 30, 2026
$25/35 Dec 1 -- Dec 31, 2026
$30/40 Jan 1 -- Jan 31, 2027
$35/$45 Feb 1 -- Feb 6, 2027 (online registration will end on 2/6/26 at 11:59pm). You can register in person on race day after that time.
--5K REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE ON SITE THE MORNING OF THE RACE $50 (cash, check, or credit)

--FUN RUN Registration Fee Schedule:
$15 June 1 -- Nov 30, 2026// $20 Dec 1, 2026 -- Jan 31, 2027 // $25 Feb 1 -- Feb 6, 2027 (online registration will end on 2/5/27 at 11:59pm). You can register in person on race day after that time.                                         
 --FUN RUN REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE ON SITE THE MORNING OF THE RACE FOR $25 (cash, check, or credit)

(QR codes will also be provided for Race Day registration / Packet Pick up.)

--PACKET PICK-UP: Wednesday, February 3th and Thursday, February 4th from 4-6:30pm at New Balance UTC 315 N Cattlemen Rd Suite 1, Sarasota, FL 34243

Event Schedule:
6:45-7:45a Race Day Registration (6:45-8:30a Day of Packet Pickup)

8:20 National Anthem
8:30 Fun Run start
9:00-9:10 CHIP START 5K
OVERALL/MASTERS are GUN TIME
[Children, strollers, and slower runners fill the back, please]

10:00 Awards Ceremony. Runners who do not want to stay to claim their medals will be provided pick up options at BaL's Office @ 9015 Town Center Parkway, Suite #126 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202. We apologize, but medals will not be handed out early.

The course is an out-and-back. The 5K race will begin near the finish tower on the island (same location as 2025 race).

Parking will be on the island near the rowing finish tower. Bridge a Life and race signage will be posted for clarity. Parking location and a course map will be posted to our Facebook page (search for Bridge a Life).

NOTE: Registrations after 1/2/27 are not guaranteed a shirt. 

Looking for more opportunities to race AND make a difference? Join the ‘Hope on the Run’ 5K series- every step helps children heal! Bridge A Life, the Child Protection Center, and The Twig are joining forces with a 5K race series, each of which supports local children in foster care and survivors of child abuse.

Superhero Fun Run/5K (Bridge A Life)

Feb. 7 2026 in Sarasota 

Learn more and register!

Runaway Pumpkin 5K & Family Fest (Child Protection Center)

Oct. 31 2026 in North Port

Learn more and register!

Turkey Trot 5K (The Twig)

Nov. 21 2026 in Venice

Learn more and register!

Everyone who registers for all three races in the series will be given a special Hope on the Run finisher medal at the final race on November 21st of 2026.

Please note that these are three individual races, each with their own registration, details, and participation items and medals. Participants can register for one, two, or all three races, with Hope on the Run medals being specially reserved for individuals who register for all three races.

Looking for more opportunities to race AND make a difference? Join the ‘Hope on the Run’ 5K series- every step helps children heal! Bridge A Life, the Child Protection Center, and The Twig are joining forces with a 5K race series, each of which supports local children in foster care and survivors of child abuse. Everyone who registers for all three races in the series will be given a special Hope on the Run finisher medal at the final race on November 21st of 2026.

Feb 7, Sarasota | Oct 31, North Port | Nov 21, Venice

Superhero Fun Run/5K | Runaway Pumpkin 5K & Family Fest | Turkey Trot for The Twig

Visit runsignup.com/Race/cpc5k/Page/hope-on-the-run-series to learn more!