Fall 5K Running Events on the Panhandle

Here is my guide to some of the Fall 5K running events in Northwest Florida for 2009, from Destin to Pensacola.

Loop the Lake

Lake Defuniak - Defuniak Springs

Saturday, Sept 12 2009 at 8am

Loop the Lake 5K will take place at 8am on Circle Drive around Lake Defuniak. The run will take you around the Lake and through the lake's historic neighborhoods. At 9am, there will be a kid's 1-mile run. The proceeds of this event benefit the American Heart Association, and its being sponsored by CHELCO and CSI. After the races there will be prizes for top kids, women, and men walkers, runners, and wheelchairs. There will also be an after-party. The entry fee is $15 before Sept 4, $20 on Race Day. Kids Fun Run entry costs $10. For more info you can call Kathy Morrow at (850)892-2111 or email her at kmorrow@chelco.com.

Panhandle Charitable 5K

Marcus Pointe Country Club - Pensacola

September 12 2009 at 7:30am

The Panhandle Charitable 5K benefiting the Hadji Shrine Patient Transportation Fund will take place on the Marcus Pointe Country Club Golf Course. This 5K event helps
the Shriners care for children at all the hospitals. Registration fees are $20 early, $25 late, and $16 for school teams. You can mail your check payable to Hadji Shrine to:
Gary Bunde
8237 Lyric Drive
Pensacola, FL 32514

You may also register on www.Active.com. Long sleeve shirts will be given to the first 300 runners. Awards will be given to top men and women runners and walkers.

Twin Cities Relay for Life 5K and Fun Run

Lewis Middle School, Valparaiso
September 19, 2009 at 8am

The Twin Cities Relay for Life will take place on Mississippi Avenue, Grandview Avenue, to Bayshore Drive in Valparaiso. This 5K event benefits the American Cancer Society. Early registration is $15, $10 for the 1-mile kids Fun Run. Late registration is $5 more. Student's registration cost is $5. T-shirts will be given to the first 300 participants. Awards will be given to top male and female finishers, both runners and walkers.

Run for the Reef

Gulf Blvd - Navarre

October 10 2009 at 7:30am

Run for the Reef, sponsored by Navarre Press, will benefit Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary, Snorkeling and Diving Reefs. Earlyregistration is $18, late is $22, Race Day Sign-up is $25. The kid's Fun Run costs $10. The run will take place along Gulf Blvd, starting at the Pier's parking lot. The Fun Run starts on Park Nature Trail at 8:30am. Awards will be given to top male and female finishers. There will be door prizes to. You can mail your check to:

Navarre Chamber Foundation
Run for the Reef 5K
P.O. Box 5430, Navarre, FL 32566