3rd Annual Hope Starts Here 5K Run & Walk

🏃‍♂️ Event Overview

The 3rd Annual Hope Starts Here 5K 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 will benefit Operation New Hope, where we believe that we are all better than our worst mistake, worst day, or worst decision. For over 25 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! To learn more about Operation New Hope, please check out our website!

🕒 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 Amenities

• Shirt: Fun Hope Starts Here 5K Run & Walk t-shirt!
• Medal: Finisher Medal for all 5k Fun Run participants
• Refreshments: Water and post-race snacks
• Awards: Awards for Top 3 Overall Adult male & female finishers AND the top 3 Overall Youth male & female finishers!

💰 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)*

👶 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)*

⚠️ Important Notes

*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 Policy

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 the 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.