4080 Lakewood Ranch Blvd N, Sarasota FL
Saturday, February 28th, 2026
📍 Event Overview:
Our 2nd Annual Stride to Thrive is Suncoast STARS Community’s family-friendly fundraising walk/run benefiting our innovative Work & Enrichment Program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The new 5k run added this year is chip starting.
Following the run/walk, participants will enjoy our Family Fun Fest, including food trucks (Purple Bol and Ryan's Coffeehouse :), bounce houses, music by DJ Mike, face painters, a vendor village, nonprofit booths, the Bradenton Marauder's batting cage and more! This year we are adding a Silent Auction!
Location: Grace Community Church, 4080 Lakewood Ranch Blvd N, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240
5k Course: The 5k course loop will take you from the Grace Community Church campus parking lot, on to Communications Pkwy, around Professional Pkwy to Lakewood Ranch Blvd N, finishing back at the Grace Community Church campus parking lot.
1 mile Course: The 1-mile course is a paved path, accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, that will go out from the Grace Community Church parking lot, immediately after the 5k runners have left, and travel along Communications Pkwy with a turnaround at the half-mile mark and end back at the church.
Packet Pick-Up:
Thursday, February 26th, 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. @ Grace Community Church. Race Day: 7:15 to 8:15 a.m.
WHO WE ARE
Suncoast STARS Community is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to provide a work, enrichment, and educational community where adults with developmental disabilities and other special needs are empowered to live full, productive, and satisfying lives in a God-centered and nurturing environment. Visit us at www.suncoaststars.org.
WHAT WE DO
Adults with Down Syndrome, Autism and other special needs often face a future of isolation, boredom, and depression. At Suncoast STARS we are developing special enterprises where they can enjoy meaningful work and a sense of pride in their accomplishments. In our greeting card studio, we train our friends in making beautiful, handcrafted greeting cards. We also offer classes in dance, culture & cooking, sign language, life skills, cardio drumming, Bible study, safety and much more. We call the folks we serve STARS - Specially Talented Adults Raising Standards.
Come join us on the journey to empower the lives of adults with special needs!
Course Map
Suggested Races
Find The Run Newsletter