Races

Central Kentucky Athletics presents: The Heartland Hustle   Join us for the Heartland Hustle, a premier running event featuring 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon distances along the scenic trails of Freeman Lake in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Open to runners and walkers of all ages and experience levels, this event offers a welcoming, community-centered atmosphere while promoting healthy, active lifestyles. Whether you're aiming for a personal best or simply enjoying a morning outdoors with friends and family, the Heartland Hustle delivers a rewarding race-day experience — all in support of youth athletics in Central Kentucky.  Event Details: Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026Location: Freeman Lake Park, Elizabethtown, KYStart/Finish: Lions Club Pavilion (adjacent to the new playground)Park Access: Please use the Old Freeman Lake Park Entrance for the best access to race staging.Packet Pickup: Begins at 7:00 AM on race morning Race Options: 5K10KHalf MarathonStrollers are welcome, and leashed (n

Please join us for our 9th annual Autism community event, the Autism SpectRUN 5K, at the Elizabethtown Sports Park! All proceeds from this family fun 5K will benefit Camp TESSA of Hardin County. Camp TESSA (Teaching Effective Social Skills to Students with Autism) is a week-long summer day camp provided in Hardin County. Participants engage in various activities to practice social skills, including music, art, mealtime, games, and field trips. Support is provided by multiple community members, teachers, therapists, parents, and peer partners.  Each runner who registers by April 1st  will receive a race t-shirt! T-shirts will not be included in the 9 and under category (unless registered as a paid participant). The deadline to sign up and get a guaranteed t-shirt is April 1st!  Participants must pick up shirts at packet pickup or day of the race. Medals will be awarded to participants at the finish of the race.   Packet Pickup Packet pickup for the race will be held on Friday, April 17t

National Crime Victims Rights Week (NCVRW) 2026 will be observed each year in April. KINSHIP is a state of being with survivors that drives vital connections and increases access to services, rights, and healing. KINSHIP is where victim advocacy begins. The Elizabethtown Police Department Victim Services will be hosting a Community Resource Fair and 5K on Monday April 20, 2026 in support of local crime victims. There will be multiple Community Partners with resources available on day of the event. The 5K is FREE. The resource fair will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The 5K will start at 6:30 p.m. Chief Jeremy Thompson and Attorney General Russell Coleman will speak in support of Crime Victims at 6:10 p.m. Free Shirts and Run bags will be provided to those that sign up by April 6, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Big news this year: Light The Night 5K is now a THREE-race series! CASA of the Heartland will host the Light the Night 5K: Superhero Walk/Run on Friday, May 8, 2026, at the Elizabethtown Sports Park. Our goal is to raise awareness for the most vulnerable children in our community—and use this night to pay tribute to our local heroes who protect and serve. This event is a celebration of those hometown heroes, and a chance for all of us to show up for kids who need someone in their corner. And now, the mission goes even farther with two more races: Meade County — June 5, 2026Grayson County — August 21, 2026Working together across all three events, we’re aiming to provide every child victim in Hardin, Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue, and Meade counties with a CASA volunteer advocate—and hope for a better future.

Gavin’s Gallop 5K isn’t just another race on the calendar. It’s a chance to stand beside families walking through something most of us can’t imagine. All proceeds from this event go to Gavin’s Gifts, a nonprofit helping families affected by Batten Disease, a rare childhood condition. Your registration helps provide financial assistance, home modifications, and care-related support for families who need it.Click Here for more information on Gavin's Gift. Join us on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at the Lions Club Pavilion at Freeman Lake Park. The course follows the scenic trail by the lake on an out-and-back route, with a water stop at the turnaround.  Race Details: Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026Location: Lions Club Pavilion, Freeman Lake ParkStart Time: 8:30 AMPacket Pickup: Race morning only, beginning at 7:30 AM Registration: Adults: $35Kids 12 and under: $20 Every participant will receive a finisher’s medal to mark the day and the difference you helped make. We hope to see you at Freem

Now Officially Managed By Central Kentucky Race Management! Central Kentucky Race Management and The Hardin County History Museum proudly present the 7th Annual "Tim Walker Founders' Day 5K Run/ Walk" on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at the Elizabethtown Sports Park. This historic event is dedicated to one of the Founders' Day organizers Tim C. Walker who also served as mayor from (2011-2013) before his term was cut short by his untimely death on June 14, 2013.  Tim Walker shaped the history of Elizabethtown and Hardin County and made it a better place, so please join us on July 4th! Registration Registration is $25 Each registered runner will receive a Race T-shirt (to be guaranteed a T-shirt, please register by the shirt deadline of June 19, 2026) Kids 9 and Under run for only $10 Packet Pickup Packet pickup will be race morning beginning at 7am at the soccer pavilion located near the back of the park on the right. The race will start at 8 am. The course will remain inside

Run For The Chorus 5KSaturday, August 8, 2026Race starts at 9 AM | Packet pickup & race day registration opens at 8 AMSeverns Valley Baptist Church – Elizabethtown, KY This isn’t your typical Saturday morning 5K. Join us for the Run For The Chorus 5K—a fun, music-filled run that supports the Heart of Kentucky Chorus, a local nonprofit community chorus right here in Elizabethtown. We’ll kick things off with a few songs from the chorus to set the tone, and as you make your way through the course, you’ll be cheered on by live singers stationed along the route. Seriously—live music while you run! It’s the kind of motivation you didn’t know you needed. The race starts and finishes in the Severns Valley Baptist Church parking lot, and you’ll be supported every step of the way by our chorus members and volunteers.  If you love running, live music, or just want to support a great cause in a fun way, we’d love to have you there. Come run (or walk) with us and be part of something truly one-

Join us Saturday, September 5, 2026, for a 5k to promote health and celebrate 90,000 nurses across Kentucky!    The Kentucky Nurses Association 2026 5K Fun Run/Walk is a vibrant and purposeful event dedicated to promoting health, wellness, and community engagement. This walk brings together individuals to support the Kentucky Nurses Association (KNA) and nurses across Kentucky who serve as leaders to promote positive healthcare in the Commonwealth.   The walk provides a unique opportunity to network with fellow community members, raise awareness about the critical role nurses play in healthcare, and support the future of nursing through essential fundraising efforts. Together, we can make a difference for nurses and the communities they serve!   The Kentucky Nurses Association 2026 5k Fun Run Walk will take place at Freeman Lake Park on Blue Heron Way in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The 5k route provides a view of the beautiful lake. This 5k is for all fitness levels to walk or run—join nu

The Ride Welcome to The Cameron Ponder Cycling Classic. The "CPCC" provides funding to the KSP Trooper Ponder Memorial Scholarship. For more information on the memorial fund please visit Trooper Cameron Ponder Memorial Scholarship Fund This year we are excited to be part of the Kentucky Cycling Challenge led by BikeWalk Kentucky and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. For more information visit: https://bikewalk.ky/kentucky-cycling-challenge Cycle through the lightly traveled and scenic rural roads of Central Kentucky. The ride will be escorted out of Elizabethtown by KSP. Join us as we honor hometown hero and Kentucky State Trooper Ponder along with first responders everywhere. Trooper Ponder’s badge number is 954; therefore, $9.54 from every registration will be donated to the memorial fund. We are proud that for each of the first three years of this event, we have been able to donate at least one scholarship annually to the Cameron Ponder Scholarship Fund. The SAG stops wil

The Tails & TaTas Breast Cancer Awareness 5k Run/Walk in partnership with Swope Family of Dealerships will be held in a hybrid format allowing both virtual and in-person participation. The start/finish line for the dog-friendly run will begin at the Swope Toyota Dealership and wind through Freeman Lake Park. We have also added a 1-mile fun run for the 12 and under group. As in the past10 years, all funds will be given to the Baptist Health Foundation Hardin.  For the 5k Run - Awards will be given to the overall 1st place finisher male & female runners.  For the 1 mile fun run - Awards will be given for the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place male & female runners. Everyone else in the 1-mile fun run will be presented with a medal.  Remember this is a dog-friendly run/walk with 3 costume contests: cutest dog, best costume, and dog/owner look-a-like held 30 minutes prior to the start of the run/walk. Be sure to follow us for more information and updates on Facebook – Tails & Tatas B

Join us for an unforgettable endurance challenge at the scenic Nature Park in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. This ultra-distance race takes you on a stunning loop course that winds along the lake’s tranquil shoreline, through shaded woodland trails, and across rolling terrain that will test both your speed and your stamina. Whether you’re chasing a personal record, looking to conquer your first ultra, or simply soaking in the beauty of Kentucky’s countryside, the Nature Park delivers an experience like no other. Runners will enjoy fully stocked aid stations, enthusiastic volunteer support, and the camaraderie that only the ultra community can provide. With every lap, you’ll take in sweeping water views, peaceful natural surroundings, and the satisfaction of pushing yourself farther than you thought possible. Cross the finish line and celebrate your achievement with post-race refreshments and well-earned bragging rights. Distances: 5K, 8 hour solo, 8 hour teamsTerrain: Mixed surface – paved p