The Annual Cake by the Lake 5K and One Mile Cakewalk will take place on Saturday, April 4, 2026 on the Withlacoochee State Trail! Both events start at Liberty Park in Inverness. 5K Runners will take off as the sun rises over the lake, with "5 K Race Walkers" starting just three minutes behind them. Another 3 minutes later, the 1-mile walkers will enter the fray. Both the 5K and 1 mile routes travel along the beautiful shores of the Tsala Apopka chain of lakes. As all participants return to Liberty Park, they’ll get their finisher’s medals, which come with an elegant neck ribbon unique to 2026 and enjoy great music, festivities, and the signature cake served by the classically beautiful Lake Henderson! Unique cake plate age-level awards will be three-deep in five-year age increments for the combined 5K races. These event do NOT have T-shirts, but a specially designed WST Cake By The Lake edition T-shirt will be available for purchase online before the race. The race swag is sure to please! Free photos will be available online.
This is a wonderfully flat, straight, and well maintained course that has produced many new PR's over the years!
Once again, we're offering $10 registration for kids up to 12 years old, and $15 registration for teens 13-17. Those 18 and older are considered adults. 17 and under will receive different swag than adults, but it will still be "top shelf swag" including a heavy 3" full-color medal. Of course, youth athlete participants are eligible to win our special cake plate age group awards, as well as overall race awards.
See updates and sneak peeks on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-the-Withlacoochee-State-Trail-Inc-1485120831710155 or visit FOTWST.org.
Packet pickup: 6:30 a.m. Race Day
Race Starts at 7:30 a.m. SHARP!
