Race to Conserve 5K Run (Timed) or 1K to 5K Walk

PRE-RACE PACKET PICK-UP: Feb 16, 2024, 3-7:00pm. Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, 6968 Reisterstown Road, North Port, FL  34271 - drive into the park, turn left and drive to the end of the parking lot, you see the pavilion area on the right. . 

RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP/CHECK-IN: 6:45-7:45am at check in tent.

RACE DAY REGISTRATION: 6:45-7:45am.  We will have race QR codes posted for same day registrants who are paying with a credit card at check in tent.

RACE DAY REGISTRATION FEE: 5K - $25.00, Non-timed 5K & 1K - $20.00. Pavilion area. PLEASE BRING EXACT CHANGE - CHANGE WILL NOT BE PROVIDED.

WALKERS: Please sign in at the check-in tent upon arrival so we know you arrived and bring your own water to enjoy along your walk.

SHIRT CUTOFF DATE: 1/24/24 - NOT 1/31/24 AS IS STATED ON THE ORIGINAL RACE EVENT FLYERS, SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS AND NEWSLETTERS THAT ARE CIRCULATING. THIS DEADLINE WAS IMPOSED BY OUR SHIRT VENDOR TO MEET THE RACE DATE ON TIME.  WE DID NOT GET A T-SHIRT SPONSOR FOR THIS EVENT SO NO ADDITIONAL INVENTORY WAS PURCHASED - ONLY THE EXACT NUMBER OF SHIRTS ORDERED ON 1-24-24 WILL BE AVAILABLE TO REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS.

Welcome to The Environmental Conservancy of North Port And Surrounding Areas 5K Timed Run or 1K to 5K Walk at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port!

The Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park was acquired by the City of North Port in 1989 with two Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grants. The name Myakkahatchee comes from the Seminole language: "miarca" meaning "big water" and "hatchee" alluding to "river".  A true “Blackwater Creek,” the water in the Creek is stained a brown color by the leaves, roots, and detritus decaying in and around it, making a transparent water that is darkly stained resembling black tea (aka tannin-stained).

The 5K timed run will take you through through the Yellow Trail, White Trail and Red Trail.

A 1K walk route will be marked; however walkers are free to choose their distance between the 1K or 5K routes. WALKERS PLEASE SIGN IN AT THE CHECK-IN TENT UPON ARRIVAL.

Leashed dogs are permitted in accordance with park rules; NON-retractable leashes are preferred please for the safety of both pets and people in and around the event area and start/finish line.

Runners/Walkers under age 8 can participate in the run/walk FREE of charge.  

Timing provided by Beach Bum Timing (www.beachbumtiming.com). 

CAUTION: trails are maintained but preserved in their natural state.  You may find uneven surfaces, leaves, branches, roots and other elements typical of this type of environment. "Caution-Tree Roots" signs will be posted along the trails as a reminder. Please wear appropriate closed-toe footwear and exercise outdoor-activity caution.  

Food, water, and tables by some of our like-minded environmental colleagues will be open PRE-race/walk and POST-race/walk for your enjoyment and learning. 

Visit the Event Sponsors tab of this website to view the sponsors who registered to support this event for us!

A water station will be located at the 1.25 and 2.75 miles of the 5K run and water will also be available at the Finish Line.  Walkers, please bring your own water to enjoy along your walk route.

PARKING: Parking is available within the park or along Reisterstown Road/Estates Drive. Please refrain from parking on the residential side of Reisterstown Road/Estates Drive.

DIRECTIONS: Take Exit 182 from I-75 and head East. Follow Sumter Blvd. to Tropicaire Blvd. Turn left on Tropicaire Blvd. and turn right on Reisterstown Road.  The park is at the curve of Reisterstown Road on the right.

We truly ARE in a race to conserve. More than 1,000 people are now moving to Florida each and every day and hundreds to thousands of acres of land are being completely cleared not just locally in our neighborhoods, but Statewide, to accommodate our growing population daily; this displaces and threatens the very being of our wildlife, endangered species, flora and trees at the same time, to include Gopher Tortoises such as those pictured in our race website banner.

All of the trees and plants you will see in the park are the same as those being removed in our neighborhoods daily to make way for development. Few to none are saved/protected or planted back.

We hope that in visiting this natural park you will be inspired to learn more about the natural environment in your neighborhood and how to protect it or improve it.  Plant back local native trees and plants that once grew on your land, conserve native trees or plants if you are planning to build a home, volunteer with us and attend our events.  

As of 12-29-2023 we have acquired and permanently protected 37 parcels across Sarasota/Charlotte Counties. See our website for all parcel details. Proceeds from this event will be utilized toward future land acquisition purchases. If you'd like to provide the gift of a donation in support of our mission as well, please visit the Donate tab of this website.

The Environmental Conservancy of North Port, Inc. dba The Environmental Conservancy of North Port And Surrounding Areas is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation. Tax ID Number 84-4132468. To learn more about us visit our website www.ecnorthport.com find us on Instagram @npconservancy or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ECnorthport.