The 3rd annual Hope Starts Here 5K in Orlando is a great race for runners and walkers of all levels looking for a beautiful route and benefitting an amazing cause. A lovely trek around Lake Baldwin in the heart of Orlando, the Hope Starts Here 5K helps build safer communities, stronger economies, and more stable families.
Proceeds from the 3rd annual Hope Starts Here 5k in Orlando will benefit Operation New Hope, where we believe that we are all better than our worst mistake, worst day, or worst decision. For over 26 years, we have worked to build a stronger community by creating opportunities for people with a record to realize second chances by reconnecting to the workforce, their families, and our communities. Funds raised will be used to provide career readiness training, mental health services, and job placement to help people become successful and self-sufficient after involvement with the criminal justice system.
We hope you will join us for this great community event!
Sponsoring the Hope Starts Here 5k not only supports Operation New Hope’s mission to reconnect people to the workforce to break the cycle of incarceration and poverty, but also is a great opportunity to show your company believes second chances matter. At this year's race Hope Starts Here 5k, we expect over 300 socially conscious members of Orlando’s community to join us on race day. We will promote the event to our 25,000+ contacts and followers on social media and will invite news media to broadcast from the event. Don’t miss the opportunity to show Orlando that your organization is helping make our neighborhoods safer and our economy stronger.
EVENT TIMELINE:
6:45am – Race-day Registration and Packet Pickup opens
8:00am – 5K Fun Run/Walk begins
9:00am - Awards
9:15am – FREE Kids’ Dashes begin
5K FUN RUN/WALK RACE AMENTIES INCLUDE:
- Fun Hope Starts Here 5K Run & Walk t-shirt!
- Finisher Medal for all 5k Fun Run participants
- Water and post-race snacks
- Sponsor/Vendor booths
- Awards for Top 3 Overall Adult male + female finishers AND the top 3 Overall Youth male + female finishers!
3rd Annual Hope Starts Here 5K FUN RUN & WALK REGISTRATION FEES - 13 & Older:
-$35.00 through 9/14/25
-$40.00 from 9/15/25 - 9/26/25 until 6pm
-$45.00 Day of the race (if not sold out)*
3rd Annual Hope Starts Here 5K FUN RUN & WALK REGISTRATION FEES - 12 & Under:
-$30.00 through 9/14/25
-$35.00 from 9/15/25 - 9/26/25 until 6pm
-$40.00 Day of the race (if not sold out)*
*RACE DAY REGISTRATION PAYMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED VIA CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS THROUGH RUNSIGNUP ONLY!
**** ALL ENTRY FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND RACE REGISTRATIONS ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE ****
****************** THIS IS A RAIN OR SHINE EVENT******************
********NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER********
RACE T-SHIRTS:
All participants who register for the 5K event will receive a unisex Hope Starts Here 5k color t-shirt. Sizes are guaranteed through September 14, 2025.
FINISHER MEDALS:
All PAID 5K Fun Run participants will receive a custom Hope Starts Here 5K Fun Run & Walk themed finisher medal. Children participating in the FREE Kid’s dashes will receive a finisher ribbon.
5K FUN RUN AWARDS:
Awards will go to the top 3 overall adult male + female finishers and the top overall youth male and female finisher in the 5K Fun Run & Walk. This is a FUN RUN and we will only be manually recording the above award times. If you would like to see your finish time, there will be a clock at the finish line for everyone to see their finish times.
FREE KIDS DASHES:
We will host a free kids’ dashes following the 5k event. All children ages 7 & under must be registered on race day at the Registration table. All children participating must be accompanied by an adult and will receive a Finisher Ribbon. Distances will vary by age group, ranging from 50 yards up to 200 yards. Registration will be available on-line on race day beginning at 5am!
WEATHER:
Races will be held rain or shine, however, if there is severe weather in the area the race start may be delayed or cancelled. As a reminder, registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
SAFETY RULES:
In order to ensure safety of all runners, roller skates and in-line skates are prohibited from the race course. It is VERY important for you to stay alert throughout the race, stay inside cones and obey all race signage. Jogging strollers are permitted but must start in the back.
STROLLERS:
Strollers are allowed. Nurturing future generations of runners/walkers is a priority as is demonstrating healthy lifestyles to our children. We do ask those registrants participating with a stroller to line up after the runners & walkers at the start line. Please listen for directions on where to line up on the day of the race. Only paid registrants of the 5K Fun Run/Walk will receive a finisher medal. If you would like your child to receive a medal, please register for them to participate in the Run/Walk.
PACKET PICKUP INFORMATION:
EARLY Packet Pick-Up - TBD
Race Day Packet Pickup will take place at Harbor Park @ Baldwin Park beginning at 6:45 am. However, please do allow additional time to pick up your packet on race day due to parking and potentially long lines.
