16th Aching Quad Challenge - presented by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union

This race is held by the Lakeland Runners Club, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to promote running and fitness for people of all ages and abilities in the community.

These are LIVE, in-person events.  There are no virtual options.

Join us for the 16th annual Aching Quad Challenge and conquer four races in 24 hours!

This year’s Aching Quad is going to be a true challenge for our runners by incorporating both road and trail. The challenge begins with a  5k at 6:30 PM on Friday evening, Oct. 8th, on the path at Lake Hollingsworth, followed on Saturday morning, Oct. 9th, with a 1-mile trail race beginning at 7:30 AM and a 2-mile trail race beginning at 9:00 AM both at Holloway Park, with the final race on Saturday evening, Oct. 9th, on the Lake Hollingsworth path for another 5k beginning at 5:30 PM.

All races will be chip timed. Cumulative results from the four races are used to determine official results.

The Aching Quad Challenge - Four Races in 24 Hours was established in 2006.

There will be one finisher medal for the 4-race challenge.  Medals will be given at the finish of the Saturday 5k. 

RACE START:         Race #1 – Friday (Oct. 8th) 6:30 PM at Lake Hollingsworth
                                 Race #2 – Saturday (Oct. 9th) 7:30 AM at Holloway Park
                                 Race #3 – Saturday (Oct. 9th) 9:00 AM at Holloway Park
                                 Race #4 – Saturday (Oct. 9th) 5:30 PM at Lake Hollingsworth

REGISTRATION: 4-Race Series registration will close on Tuesday, Oct. 5th. Walk-up registration will be available during packet pick up on both Thursday evening and Friday morning. Please note: Registration is for the 4-race series only. There are NO single race options.

SHIRTS AND FINISHER MEDALS: Shirts and/or shirts in your preferred size are not guaranteed for anyone registering after the close of early registration (Sept. 24th). Finisher medals will be given to all series participants after the end of the final race.

PACKET PICK UP: Early packet pick up will be held on Thursday, Oct. 7th, from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the Cleveland Heights Golf Clubhouse. Race day pickup will be 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM in the parking lot of Lake Hollingsworth. Please note: You will use the SAME BIB for all 4 races.

COURSE MAP:  Both the Friday evening 5k and the Saturday evening 5k will take place on the Lake Hollingsworth path. Both Saturday morning trail races will take place at Holloway Park. Course maps will be provided at a later date.

AWARDS:  Awards for the 4-race series will be based on the cumulative time over the four races based on your age at the first race. If you miss a race, you are not eligible for awards. Overall male and female winners will be based on gun time. All other awards will be based on chip time: the elapsed time between crossing the start and finish timing mats. Awards will be presented after the Saturday evening race around 9:00 PM.

REFUND POLICY: If the Lakeland Runners Club would need to cancel the race, participants will be refunded their race entry fee.

SAFETY PLAN: The Lakeland Runners Club is committed to creating a safe and exciting race experience for our participants, volunteers, timing contractors, community partners, and everyone else who makes race day possible. Thank you for your cooperation and we are looking forward to racing with you in 2021!  You can read our 2021 Safety Plan HERE.

The first Aching Quad Challenge was held in 2006.