The RUN Manatee 5k series offers THREE adventures to celebrate ONE community. Participants will discover Manatee County's parks, beaches and preserves... on the run! The 2026 series kickoff event will be held on Saturday, April 11th at Tom Bennett Park in Bradenton, FL. The 5K run/walk presented by RWP Runs includes a scenic route around ponds and along mixed terrain such as grass, crushed shell and asphalt. Warm up will be provided by Nick Nolting Training and yoga cooldown is by Kayla McCarthy-Asha of Akasha Yoga Room.
Participants of all age and activity levels are welcome to this day of fitness, food and family fun! Grab a healthy breakfast/lunch, shop local vendors in the marketplace, climb on the Bradenton Kiwanis Playground, or cool off in the new splash pad.. there’s plenty to do even if you're not running!
SCHEDULE:
Please plan to arrive by 7:30am
6:30-7:30am Packet Pick Up
7:40am National Anthem
7:45am Warm Up with Nick Nolting Training
8:00am Fun Run .25km
8:15am 5k Run presented by RWP Runs
9:15am Run Awards, Top 3 male & female, Top 3 kids 12 and under.
Donation Check to Bradenton Kiwanis
9:30am Yoga with Kayla McCarthy-Asha of Akasha Yoga Room
Event entry, warm up, yoga and fun run are all free but PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for the 5K portion of the event.
This event series is supporting local non-profits who enable children of all abilities to get outdoors and live an active lifestyle! 10% of registration fees will be donated to Bradenton Kiwanis.
PACKET PICK UP:
April 8th and 9th - 8am to 4pm @ Run With Purpose Nutrition, 8319 Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota FL
April 10th 4pm to 7pm @ G.T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave Dr W, Bradenton FL
RACE DAY April 11th 6:30-7:30am @ Tom Bennett Park, 400 Cypress Creek Blvd, Bradenton, FL
Included in 5K registration is a dri-fit event T Shirt* and finishers will earn a custom medal. Shirt sizes are guaranteed to participants who sign up by midnight on 3/20/26. Thereafter shirts will be available in a limited quantity on a first come, first served basis.
Those who accept the challenge of all 3 events in the RUN Manatee series will piece their 3 medals together to create one 2026 series medal!
Other events (registration required):
7/11/26 5:30-8:30pm Coquina Beach - REGISTER NOW!
11/21/26 7:00-10:00am Rye Preserve - REGISTER NOW
FOLLOW THE BUZZ ON SOCIAL:
Tag @manateeexploreandplay and #RUNMANATEE
