Run for Their Lives 5k

Ready. Set. Save Lives.

Register now for our annual SPCA Florida’s Run for Their Lives 5K on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the beautiful Peterson Park located at 3700 Cleveland Heights Blvd, Lakeland, FL. Runners will enjoy a chip timed 5K race and will be saving lives with every step they take. Complimentary continental breakfast will be provided. Award ceremony will be conducted after the race. Race Time 7:00AM.

Course will run most of the 3 Parks Trail. Walkers and leashed dogs welcome!

Registered participants will receive a race bib and a choice of a race short sleeve T-shirt or race tank top (Guaranteed if pre-registered before May 8th, 2026! Don't wait to register!) All finishers will receive a exclusive race medal after crossing the finish line. 

Awards: Overall male & female and top three male & female in age groups: 0-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39,up to 80+, and Largest Team

Friday, May 22nd, from 4 PM – 7 PM

- Early Packet pick-up - Fleet Feet - Lakeside Village - 1523 Town Center Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33803

Saturday, May 23rd

- 6:00 AM - 6:45 AM - Day of packet pick-up at Peterson Park, Late registration $45 Dollars, NO SHIRT OR TANKS available on this day. 

- 7:00 AM - 5K Race Starts

- 7:15 AM - Continental Breakfast begins at the Eagles Nest

- 7:45 AM - Top Overall Female and Male Winners (approx. time)

- 8:15 AM - Approx time for Awards Presentation (1st Place F/M in all age groups and Largest Team)

Since this is a fundraiser for the SPCA Florida, there will be NO Refunds tendered. The event will be held rain or shine. In the event the live event does cancel due to inclement weather including lightning, tornadoes or hurricanes, or if you cannot attend due to health issues, your live event registration will transfer over to a virtual option, and you will still be able to pick up your bib, shirt and finisher medal.

For information about becoming a sponsor or information about the event, please email Melanie Vadzemnieks at mvadzemnieks@spcaflorida.org or call 863-577-4643.

We look forward to seeing you at the event!

~ Your SPCA Florida Run for Their Lives Team

Finisher Medals:

All Finishers will receive a finisher medal

Awards:

Overall male & female

Top three male & female in age groups: 0-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, up to 80+, and Largest Team

(Top Male and Female Overall and Top Male and Female in each age group will be presented at ceremony. 2nd and 3rd male and female age group winners can pick up awards at ceremony time. There will be a table near the awards ceremony after the race concludes. Must be present to pick up awards. No awards will be mailed.)

1. Can we walk the course? Yes, we love our walkers. 
2. Can we walk with strollers? Absolutely! We just ask that strollers start in the back of the crowd at the Start Line. 
3. Can we walk with our dogs? But of course, the event is all for them and their homeless friends! We just ask that all dogs are well behaved, not dog or people reactive, leashed at all times, with their owners at all times, and up to date with all their vaccines. Please pick up after your pets. All this is VERY IMPORTANT so that everyone has a safe and enjoyable event. Oh, and don't forget to bring your pups swim trunks as their will be a Doggy Pool Area at the Eagles Nest Pavilion. 
4. Will there be restrooms near the Start Line? Yes. 
5. Can we park at the YMCA, Animal Hospital, and Apartments? NO, you will get towed.  There is plenty of parking on the grassy area when you enter the park. There is more parking a little further into your right by the baseball field. 
6. Is there Handicap Parking? Yes. Handicap Parking is located at the Eagles Nest, the area where the baseball field is at, as well as where the boat ramp is. 
7. Will you hand out water? YES, at the 1 1/2-mile marker, the Finish Line, and the Eagles Nest Pavilion. Please be courteous and use the garbage bins throughout the park. 

For any further question you might have, please email Lisette at leljaiek@spcaflorida.org. 

Rules for Top Individual Fundraiser Award - Two - 2 Park- One Day passes to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. 

Please note these tickets are personally donated to SPCA Lakeland, Fl by a Universal Orlando™ Team Member. Tickets are not distributed by Universal Orlando™ or NBCUniversal and have no official corporate affiliation with the donation or benefiting charity. Tickets are not redeemable for cash and are non-exchangeable. Voucher is not transferable and has no cash value. All unclaimed and/or unused vouchers cannot be sold, bartered or exchanged or used for promotional purposes, or as sales or trade incentives for employees of any certificate holder, its agencies or clients.

How to redeem your tickets
Reservations must be made at least five (5) days in advance.
Please contact Universal Orlando™ Community Relations at CharitableDonations@universalorlando.com and provide the following information:
•Voucher Number (noted on the bottom right of this voucher)
•The first and last name of the Primary Guest (must be present and entering the park on date of pick up)
•Date of park visit (order can be placed no more than thirty (30) days prior to visit). Tickets must be used on the date that they are printed.
•Email address where you want the Ticket Confirmation sent (Confirmation email will include pick-up instructions.)
•Primary phone number for identification purposes.

Please consider the following when planning your trip:

Each ticket is valid for one (1) day. It will grant admission to Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ and Universal Studios Florida™. Tickets do not include parking.

Tickets are subject to blockout dates listed (see chart), and additional blockout dates may be added prior to your visit (dates are subject to change, and typically occur during peak periods). To confirm blockout dates, please contact Universal Orlando™ Community Relations at CharitableDonations@universalorlando.com.

Tickets do not include admission into Universal CityWalk™ clubs.

Tickets are not valid for separately ticketed events including, but not limited to, Halloween Horror Nights™ or Rock the Universe™.

Tickets must all be used on the same day; please review the listed expiration date.
Tickets are not valid during select dates including, but not limited to, the following:
Universal Studios Florida™ & Universal’s Islands of Adventure™

• All Concert Dates Please check universalorlando.com for specific concert dates.
• January 1 – 5, 2025
• April 7 – 26, 2025
• June 7 – August 10, 2025
• December 20 – 31, 2025

The 2-Park 1-Day Park-to-Park Ticket entitles one (1) guest admission to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure on any one (1) calendar day. Blockout dates apply. The ticket will expire in full on the expiration date printed on ticket. The above Admission Media is non-refundable, non-transferable, and must be used by the same person on all days. Standard entry includes biometric scan. Valid only during normal operating hours. Parks, attractions, or entertainment may: close due to refurbishing, capacity, weather or special events; change operating hours; and otherwise change or be discontinued without notice and without liability to the owners of Universal Orlando Resort (‘Universal’). Unless otherwise stated, does not include admission to separately ticketed events at any of the Universal theme parks or within any of the CityWalk venues, Universal Cinemark, or Hollywood Drive-In Golf™, and parking or discounts on food or merchandise. Some CityWalk venues require ages 21 or older for admission. Valid Photo ID required. Additional restrictions may apply and benefits are subject to change without notice. 

Dear Friend,

SPCA Florida invites you to become a sponsor of our upcoming Run for Their Lives 5K, a community event dedicated to saving the lives of homeless and at-risk animals right here in our area.

This annual race brings together runners, families, animal lovers, and local businesses who share a common goal: giving pets a second chance at life. Proceeds from the event directly support SPCA Florida’s lifesaving programs, including medical care, shelter, rehabilitation, and adoption services for thousands of animals each year.

By becoming a sponsor, you are not only helping animals in need—you are also demonstrating your commitment to compassion, community involvement, and making a meaningful local impact. Sponsors receive valuable recognition before, during, and after the event, while knowing their support is making a real difference for pets who have nowhere else to turn.

We offer several sponsorship levels to fit a variety of budgets, and every contribution—large or small—helps save lives. Together, we can turn every step taken in this race into hope, healing, and happy endings for animals in need.

We would be honored to have you join us as a sponsor of the Run for Their Lives 5K. Thank you for considering this opportunity to stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

For more information, please reach out to Melanie Vadzemnieks, Director of Development • Philanthrophy at mvadzemnieks@spcaflorida.org.

With gratitude,

SPCA Florida

Join Us in Helping Animals at SPCA Florida! 🐾

Hi friends! At SPCA Florida, we rescue, care for, and find loving homes for Polk County's homeless dogs and cats — but we can’t do it without you. This year, we’re inviting you to create your own fundraising page and help us save lives!

By signing up as an Individual Fundraiser, you can rally your friends, family, and community to support the animals who rely on SPCA Florida every day. Every dollar you raise provides food, medical care, shelter, and hope to our Polk County animals who need it most.

And here’s a little extra motivation:

The Top Individual Fundraiser who raises the most money will WIN *TWO - 2 Park - One Day Passes to Universal Studios / Islands of Adventure! 🎢 

It’s easy to get started:

• Sign up and register for the 5k event.

• Under the donation screen, click the "Become a Fundraiser" Button.

• Customize Your message to your friends and family (Or use the default copy).

• After you register, Share your page with your friends, family, and network.

• Raise money and help animals in need.

• Whether you raise $10 or $1,000, your efforts make a real difference — and together, we can rescue, heal, and find loving homes for even more animals.

Sign Up Today Because Together, We Can Save Even More Lives.! 🐶🐱💛

*Valid until November 8, 2026. For Rules and Block Out Dates please visit our FAQ's page.