Events
Ages 12 and under FREE!!
Twins Tot Run/Walk 5K
Price:
$25
($0:
Ages 0 - 12)
($20:
Ages 13 - 18)
Time:
7:30AM EST
- 11:59AM EST
Price increases after October 31, 2026 at 11:59pm EDT
Ages 12 and under FREE!!
Twins Tot Vigil Walk
Price:
$27
($0:
Ages 0 - 12)
($20:
Ages 13 - 18)
Time:
9:45AM EST
- 11:59AM EST
Registration ends March 6, 2027 at 9:45am EST
VIRTUAL RUN OPTION
VIRTUAL WALK OPTION
Place
670 Cooper St
Punta Gorda, FL US 33950
Punta Gorda, FL US 33950
Description
Join us March 6, 2027 at South County Regional Park, 670 Cooper St, Punta Gorda, FL 33950, for a high-energy, heartwarming morning celebrating children, families, and community and standing together to prevent child drowning. Be part of Movement, Remembrance, and Action.
Why We Gather:
Founded by Paul DeMello in loving memory of his twin sons, Christian and Joshua, the Twins TOT Walk/Run now honors all children while raising funds and awareness for Just Against Children Drowning to provide life‑saving swim lessons and water‑safety education.
Who Can Participate:
Family-friendly and welcoming to all ages. Dogs on leash and strollers are allowed (for safety, they will start at the back). Can’t be there in person? Register as a Virtual Participant and join the cause from anywhere.
How to participate:
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Chip‑timed 5K run/walk timed by Beach Bum Timing.
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Vigil Walk, a gentle, reflective tribute to remember children lost and promote water safety.
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Virtual participation: Complete your 5K wherever you are and support the mission.
Perks:
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High‑quality race shirt, register by February 15, 2027 to guarantee yours.
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Raffle prizes, sold on race day.
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Finish‑line fare: Healthy, replenishing snacks and Pancakes & Sausage from IHOP!
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Kids 14yrs and under are free.
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Local running club discounts.
Early Packet Pickup: Thursday, March 4, 2027, from 5 PM to 7 PM at South County Regional Park, 670 Cooper St, Punta Gorda, FL 33950.
Race Day Schedule:
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Race day packet pickup & on‑site registration: 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM
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5K start time: 7:30 AM
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Awards & presentations start at 9:00 AM.
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Moment of silence and guest speaker at 9:30 AM
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Vigil Walk begins at 9:45 AM
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Raffle prize announcements: 10:15 AM
Awards:
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Overall Awards: M/F Overall, Masters, Grand Masters, Senior Grandmaster, Veterans Grandmaster.
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Age Group Awards: M/F 1st- 3rd place awards in the following age groups: >6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+
JUST AGAINST CHILDREN DROWNING FOUNDATION:
JACD, a 501 (C)(3) non-profit foundation, was incorporated on April 1, 2010, after the tragic drowning of 13-month-old twins Joshua and Christian DeMello. Our hope is that through spreading awareness and being able to financially help when needed, we can prevent similar events from happening. At JACD, we strongly believe and recommend that every home with a pool needs to have a child barrier (even if you don’t have children yourself ), along with proper supervision at all times. We also promote swimming lessons and CPR.
Surprisingly, 58% of parents report that they don’t consider drowning a risk to their children, yet statistics show that a swimming pool is 14 times more likely to be involved in the death of a child, aged 1 — 4 years old, than a motor vehicle. In fact, while most parents worry about things like a hot stove, iron, sharp objects, a fall from tall surfaces, perhaps animals, or even a loaded gun in the house, the most dangerous thing is something that is always around us in some way: water. And the worst part is that we don’t tend to think much about this. Whether it be the toilet, sink, pool, bathtub, a puddle outside, a pot or pan, there is a constant need to protect your child from becoming a victim. Please take the time to check out the information offered here, it could save a life!
4-19 pool safety abc 9am interview
Child Safety Source Interview With Paul Demello
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Course Video
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