VETERANS DAY 5K - CLAY CO FL

UPDATE: 11/6/2024

No packet pickup on Friday November 8th. Only Thursday, November 7th and day of race.

Registration opens at 6:30 am. Must be registered by 7:15am day of race. Bring ID to packet pick.

Transfers are allowed through Friday evening.

The racecourse is not certified for competition.

Rush Bowl will be selling açaí bowls should arrive by 6:45 am or so.

Big Butt BBQ will be selling bbq should arrive around 10:00 am or so.

Starbucks and Black Rifle are providing free coffee! 

UPDATE: 11/4/2024 

Softball has been changed to whiffle ball after the 5k. Please sign up at https://bit.ly/ClayVeteranDayEvents

133 participants have signed up looking to pass 200. Please share with family and friends! Many Veteran supporting sponsors and vendors on site! Free Black Rifle and Starbucks coffee! 

UPDATES 10/14/2024

Veterans Day 5k Packet pickup times and location: 1st packet pickup opportunity is November 7th from 10 am to 2 pm at the Oakleaf Community Park, 3979 Plantation Oaks Blvd Orange Park. The last packet pickup opportunity is just before the race on November 9th from 6:30 am to 7:15 am. Bring ID to pick up. Looking forward to meeting you all!

Awards for Fastest High School Track Team and Fastest ROTC Team!  Register for the race individually (minimum four runners per team), provide written team names to the registration table, and start and finish the race together to compete for the awards!

Join us at Oakleaf Community Park on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM as we celebrate our veterans with a 5K race and a softball exhibition game! The event will include food trucks, a ceremony, organizations supporting veterans, and more. All ages are welcome. This event is a collaboration between the Veterans Council of Clay County, Florida, and the Clay County Board of County Commissioners. Everyone is welcome to participate in the 5K race. Veterans can sign up for the Veterans' Softball Exhibition Game from August 28 to October 13. Family and friends of veterans can register from October 14 to October 25. To learn more and sign up, click here! Veterans Day Weekend Events

The Veterans Day 5K for Clay is "Tougher than you think!"  Run along the peaceful Plantation Oaks course and experience Oakleaf Community Park and the Hwy 23 overpass! First 250 registrants receive a race t-shirt, custom race bib, chip timing, finisher medal, quality refreshments, and camaraderie in the Clay County community. Static displays, music, food trucks, Veteran supporting organizations, and more!

NOTE FOR REGISTRANTS: Select the appropriate registration button. When you reach the "DONATION" page, press the continue button at the bottom if no donations are planned (other than the race charge). This will take you to the race payment page.

All proceeds will go to the Veterans Council Clay County, Florida, Inc. 

Veterans Council Clay County Florida, Inc (EIN: 86-1868391)  vision is to take care of Veterans and their families, always keeping faith with them. Our mission is to promote unified actions among Veteran-supporting organizations to improve the welfare of Veterans in Clay County, home to over 30,000 local Veterans. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. https://clayveterans.com

Specifically, proceeds from the 5k will support Veterans and their families by funding the Council's efforts to advocate, communicate, and organize on behalf of Veterans.  Additionally, the funds will be used to establish a Center for Veterans that provides the Veterans Resilience and Wellness Program, the Veteran Unity Program, and the Veterans Tech Hub.

Awards: We will award the Overall Fastest Male and Female in each age group category: 12 and younger, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 and older. We will also award the Overall Fastest Male and Female in the wheelchair race. 

Packet Pick-Up Location and Times: Friday, November 8th, 2024, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM at the: to be established location. *Please bring a photo ID to pick up your packet. You can also pick up other people's packets with a copy of their ID.

Parking: Parking will be available on-site at no charge. Carpooling is encouraged. Participants park on the Northwest side.

Race Day Packet Pickup and Registration: If you are picking up your packet, please arrive at least 45 minutes before the race's start time. Day-of registration will be available.

Gift Card Donations for Veterans Council Clay County FL Inc: We are asking participants and spectators to consider donating a gift card on race day.  These cards are invaluable to Veterans struggling to pay bills, food, and gas to get to work. Please take all donations to the registration area. Donations through the registration website are also encouraged and welcome.

Race Day Schedule:
6:30 AM - Registration Opens
7:20 AM - Opening ceremony with Special Guest Speakers 
7:45 AM - Warmup & Stretch
8:00 AM - 5K Run/Walk
10:00 AM - Awards/Recognitions Ceremony 
11:00 AM - Veteran's Day Ceremony

Spectators: We encourage you to invite your friends and family to cheer you on. 

Course Route: The 5k course starts in the east parking lot of the Oakleaf Community Park.  At Plantation Oaks, the course turns right, and then a turnaround is planned at Silver Way.  The following section runs up and over the Hwy 23 overpass to a turnaround at Aubrey Lane, then traveling back over the Hwy 23 overpass (TOUGHER THAN YOU THINK!), back out to the Silver Way turnaround, and finally, completing with the final left turn ending at the starting point. Water stations are planned for along the way!

Sponsorship Opportunities:
We offer various sponsorship levels for businesses and individuals who want to support our cause. For more information, please contact info@clayveterans.com or (904) 658-0105 or https://www.clayveterans.com/fundraisers.

Vendor Opportunities:
We offer vendor opportunities for businesses and individuals who want to support our cause. For more information, please contact info@clayveterans.com or (904) 658-0105 or https://www.clayveterans.com/fundraisers.

Volunteer Opportunities:
Want to help out? We are looking for volunteers to assist with various tasks on the day of the event. Please sign up at https://volunteer.claycountygov.com/need/