FITniche Fresh Start 5k

Get excited for 2021! We're making a Fresh Start in 2021 with a new race for a new year! Join us New Year's Morning at Lake Hollingsworth for the Fresh Start 5K by FITniche!  Participants receive a true "live" race experience, a GREAT shirt and a FRESH pair of our new FITniche private label socks--because we want everyone to start the year off on the right foot!  We'll be mitigating crowds with extended start windows, and a virtual awards ceremony afterwards!

The course runs along the paved path at Lake Hollingsworth, starting at the Lakeland Country Club (located at 929 Lake Hollingsworth Dr, Lakeland, FL 33803) close to the boat ramp in the main parking lot and running clockwise around the lake, finishing downhill just past the tennis courts in the large grassy field down by the lake.

Participants will receive a tri-blend shirt (guaranteed if pre-registered before Dec. 20, 2020), custom bib and a FRESH new pair of FITniche private label technical socks!

 START TIMES:  There are currently 3 hour-long time slots that you can select from - 7am, 8am and 9am. This will allow for social distancing at the start and around the lake. This is a chip timed event, so your time starts when you cross the starting line and ends when you cross the finish line. You can start any time during the time slot you choose. (We will add additional time slots if the 1st three blocks fill up.) There is also a virtual option for those that want to run a Fresh Start 5k at their own time and place!

 RACE RESULTS & UPDATES:  Since there are multiple waves, a link to Finish Results will be sent out via email during race week, and a QR code will be available after the event to scan and check results as they come in. Please check this link several times before 2PM to know how you are doing overall, in your gender, age group, Masters or Grand Masters.  A virtual awards ceremony will be held on Facebook Live at 2PM!

 AWARDS:  Live race participants will be eligible for awards in both Male and Female divisions - Overall, Masters (40+), Grand Masters (50+) and age groups (5 yr increments) starting at 9 & under, 10-14, 15-19... up to 80+. (Sorry but virtual runners will not be eligible for awards .) Virtual runners will be able to submit their times to see how they placed against other virtual runners. Since the race is held over the course of 4-5 hrs, a results email will be sent out with final results and awards will be available after 2PM on Jan 1, 2021 at FITniche Lakeland.

 EARLY RACE PACKET PICKUP:  will be held at FITniche - Lakeside Village location on Wednesday, Dec 30 from 4-7PM and Thursday, Dec 31 from 2-5PM.

 DAY OF RACE REGISTRATION AND PACKET PICKUP:  Will be available but shirts will not be guaranteed. Packetswill be available to pick up, starting at 6:15am on race day. It is encouraged that you to pickup your packet before race day, so you can just come to the event and start your run.

 PARKING:  There are a limited number of parking spots at the Lakeland Country Club.  Street parking is available in the neighborhoods close to the race site and up at Common Ground Park, about a quarter mile away. Please give yourself plenty of time to reach the race site during your selected time block.

 COVID REQUIREMENTS:  We ask that runners please wear masks while within 6 feet of other runners not living in the same household, both before and ffter the race. You are not required to wear a mask during the event.