Runaway Pumpkin 5K & Family Fest

Get ready to lace up and bring spirit to the starting line of the Runaway Pumpkin 5K & Family Fest—a vibrant mix of community connection, fun costumes, and meaningful impact. Benefitting the Child Protection Center (CPC), this event takes place at CPC’s Campus of Healing in North Port and supports the vital mission of protecting children and strengthening families. 

Join us for the race, the family festival, or both! Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a brisk walker, have a little one who wants to join the children's dash, or are coming for the Family Fest, this event welcomes everyone and encourages community fun. 

At 9 a.m., the Family Fest kicks off with food trucks, trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, a bounce house, a puppy pit with PAWS therapy dogs, a kids' costume contest, community partners and vendors, and tons of kid-centric fun! It’s a celebratory circle of community, compassion, and athletic spirit. The Family Fest is open to all with free admission. You do not need to participate in the Runaway Pumpkin 5K or the kids' Mini Monster Dash earlier in the morning to gain entry- though we do encourage all runners to join in the festivities and refuel once they cross the finish line!

Kids’ costume contest:

• 0 to 2yrs: 11AM
• 3 to 5yrs: 11:15 AM
• 6 to 8yrs: 11:30 AM
• 9 to 12yrs: 11:45 AM

Proceeds from the race and festivities help the CPC deliver trauma-informed care, forensic services, and child-safe advocacy for families in Sarasota County. We’re also welcoming donations of non-perishable food items at the event, which will be distributed to local families facing food insecurity this upcoming holiday season.

Whether you’re racing the pumpkins, chasing a personal best, or simply gathering with friends and family for a meaningful morning, join us and let your stride contribute to support, healing, and joy. See you at the finish line! 🎃

COSTUME GUIDELINES: For both the 5K and the Family Fest, participants are welcome to wear costumes if they choose. All costumes must be child friendly. Weapon props and face coverings will not be permitted- children participating in the costume contest may wear face coverings during their age group’s contest only. We will not permit clothing with objectionable material (including obscene or violent themes, graphics, or language), excessively torn clothing, or clothing that exposes excessive portions of skin that may be viewed as inappropriate in a child-friendly environment.

Join us for a Fall Family Fest! 

From 9AM-1PM, get in on the fun with food trucks, community partners & vendors, trick or treating, pumpkin painting, a puppy pit with our PAWS therapy dogs, family friendly activities, a photo station, a bounce house, and more! All ages are welcome!

The Family Fest is open to all with free admission. You do not need to participate in the Runaway Pumpkin 5K or the kids' Mini Monster Dash earlier in the morning to gain entry- though we do encourage all runners to join in the festivities and refuel once they cross the finish line!

Kids’ costume contest:

• 0 to 2yrs: 11AM
• 3 to 5yrs: 11:15 AM
• 6 to 8yrs: 11:30 AM
• 9 to 12yrs: 11:45 AM

We will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items at the Runaway Pumpkin 5K as well as the Family Fest. All items will be distributed in time for the holidays to local families facing food insecurity through partnering organizations.

The Runaway Pumpkin 5k & Family Fest will be held at the Child Protection Center's Campus of Healing in North Port, located at 5600 Peace River Rd. 

For both the 5K and the Family Fest, participants are welcome to wear costumes if they choose. All costumes must be child friendly. Weapon props and face coverings will not be permitted- children participating in the costume contest may wear face coverings during their age group’s contest only. We will not permit clothing with objectionable material (including obscene or violent themes, graphics, or language), excessively torn clothing, or clothing that exposes excessive portions of skin that may be viewed as inappropriate in a child-friendly environment.

Looking for more opportunities to race AND make a difference? Join the ‘Hope on the Run’ 5K series- every step helps children heal! Bridge A Life, the Child Protection Center, and The Twig are joining forces with a 5K race series, each of which supports local children in foster care and survivors of child abuse. Everyone who registers for all three races in the series will be given a special Hope on the Run finisher medal at the final race on November 21st of 2026.

Feb 7, Sarasota | Oct 31, North Port | Nov 21, Venice

Superhero Fun Run/5K | Runaway Pumpkin 5K & Family Fest | Turkey Trot for The Twig

Visit runsignup.com/Race/cpc5k/Page/hope-on-the-run-series to learn more!

Looking for more opportunities to race AND make a difference? Join the ‘Hope on the Run’ 5K series- every step helps children heal! Bridge A Life, the Child Protection Center, and The Twig are joining forces with a 5K race series, each of which supports local children in foster care and survivors of child abuse.

Superhero Fun Run/5K (Bridge A Life)

Feb. 7 2026 in Sarasota 

Learn more and register!

Runaway Pumpkin 5K & Family Fest (Child Protection Center)

Oct. 31 2026 in North Port

Learn more and register!

Turkey Trot 5K (The Twig)

Nov. 21 2026 in Venice

Learn more and register!

*Registration for the Turkey Trot opens May 1st

Everyone who registers for all three races in the series will be given a special Hope on the Run finisher medal at the final race on November 21st of 2026.

Please note that these are three individual races, each with their own registration, details, and participation items and medals. Participants can register for one, two, or all three races, with Hope on the Run medals being specially reserved for individuals who register for all three races.

Thank you for supporting the Child Protection Center (CPC) and the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse. To learn more about how you can make a difference in the fight against child abuse, CPC's other upcoming events, or to view our library of resources with free personal safety information, please visit www.cpcsarasota.org.