Hope Starts Here

The 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 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 20 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!

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 AMENTIES INCLUDE: 
- Fun Hope Starts Here 5K Run & Walk t-shirt!
- Finisher Medal for all 5k Fun Run participants
- Water and post-race snacks 
- Sponsor/Vendor booths
- Awards for Top 3 Overall male & female finishers

Hope Starts Here 5K FUN RUN & WALK REGISTRATION FEES - 13 & Older:
-$30.00 through 9/16/23
-$35.00 from 9/17/23 - 9/29/23
-$40.00 Day of the race (if not sold out)*

Hope Starts Here 5K FUN RUN & WALK REGISTRATION FEES - 12 & Under:
-$25.00 through 9/16/23
-$30.00 from 9/17/23 - 9/29/23
-$35.00 Day of the race (if not sold out)*

*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 16, 2023.

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 male and female finishers in the 5K Fun Run & Walk.This is an electronically scored event. All other participants will get their time recorded in order of finish separated by gender. 

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.

WEATHER: 
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 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 will take place at Fleet Feet Orlando in SoDo on Friday, September 29th from 11am to 4pm. 

Fleet Feet Orlando Address - 25 W Crystal Lake St, Orlando, FL 32806. 

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.