Join us for an evening 5k and Run for the Boo-lies! Support the Polk County Bully Project and their mission to help save the Bully Breeds. Come run, jog, or walk! All levels welcome. Your Puppies are welcome (friendly ones please!), they must be on a leash. Be a good human, pickup after your dog. We will be doing our dog costume contest again this year! Dress your dog to impress and enter them in our free contest! Prizes will be awarded for the top three. Dogs wishing to participate will need to be lined up for judging at 5:30. Contest will be behind the country club parking lot next to the registration tent! Don't Wait to Register! Shirts sizes are guaranteed if Pre-Registered before Sept 14. (After this date, shirts and sizes are available while supplies last.) Pricing $30 - Now through Aug 31 $35 - Sept 1 - Sept 27 $40 - Sept 28 -Oct 2 $45 - Oct 3 Day of Race (If Event is still Open) Early Packet pick up - Friday, October 2, 2026 4:00-7:00 pm - Fleet Feet Lakeside Village - Lakeland, FL Day of Race - Saturday, October 3, 2026 5:00-5:45 pm - Packet Pickup and Day of Race Registration 6:00 pm - 5k Start (No Late Starts) 7:15 pm - Awards Ceremony (Approx Time) Awards Overall Male & Female Overall Masters (40+) Male & Female Age Group Awards - Top Three Male and Female in the standard 5 year age groups (9 and Under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24 through 80+) Please avoid long lines on race day! There is limited parking at the Lakeland Country Club Public Parking. We highly suggest pre-registering and picking up your packet on Friday. If you can not make it Friday's packet Pickup, please arrive early and give yourself plenty of time to park, pick up your packet and get back to the start line (.2 mile from the packet pickup tables). Packet pickup line will close at 5:45pm and race will start promptly at 6:00 pm. This race will be chip time and start on the path (at Jonila Ave). Anyone not starting at 6:00PM will default to Gun start time. (No Exceptions)
Course & Travel Notes
Run for the Boolies takes place at just 131 feet of elevation in Lakeland, Florida, so altitude won't be a factor in your pacing strategy. Since the race starts at 6:00 PM, you'll be running well after the 7:21 AM sunrise, meaning the entire event occurs in darkness or low light conditions. Early October weather in the area typically brings highs around 86°F and lows near 67°F, with about a 24% chance of measurable rain on any given day. Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) is conveniently located just 4.9 miles from the venue for easy arrival and departure.
⛰️ 131 ft elevation☀️ Typically 86°F / 67°F · 24% chance of rain✈️ Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) — 4.9 mi
Hotels Near This Race
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Race Travel Insurance
Don't forget travel insurance for October 3.
You've trained for months and booked a trip to Lakeland, FL.
A pre-race injury, a delayed flight, or a family emergency can derail the whole thing.
Travel insurance can help cover your race entry fee, hotel, and flights if you can't make it,
and may cover medical costs if something goes wrong on the course. Plans typically only run
5-7% of your total trip cost — and running events are covered under standard plans with no
additional coverage needed.
Trip cancellation up to 100% of prepaid costs
Running events covered under standard plans — no add-ons needed
Trip interruption up to 150% of non-refundable costs
Run for the Boolies 2026 — Lakeland, FL takes place on October 3, 2026. The race is held in Lakeland, Florida.
Where is Run for the Boolies 2026 — Lakeland, FL held?
Run for the Boolies 2026 — Lakeland, FL is held at 929 Lake Hollingsworth Dr in Lakeland, Florida.
Where can I find hotels near Run for the Boolies 2026 — Lakeland, FL?
RaceHotelFinder shows hotels sorted by distance from the race venue in Lakeland. Use the map or list view on this page to compare options and book race weekend accommodation.
