Heroes & Holidays "Tougher Than You Think" Clay County Veterans Day 5k 2026

***Join us on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM as we celebrate our veterans with a 5K race! ***The event will include food trucks, awards 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.  The racecourse is not certified for competition.

**HEROES & Holidays "Tougher Than You Think" Clay County Veterans Day 5k 2026! ** First 200 registrants receive a race t-shirt, bib, chip timing, finisher medal, quality refreshments, and camaraderie in the Clay County community. Static displays, music, food trucks, Veteran supporting organizations, and more!  YES: strollers, wheelchairs, & walkers!

**Santa's Family Fun Run! **November 14th: 10:30 am - 11:00 am Outside, near JCPenney. Get ready for a holly, jolly adventure at Santa's Family Fun Run! This festive, non-competitive event is perfect for kids and families looking to add a little extra holiday magic to their day during Heroes & Holidays. Santa will officially kick off the Fun Run at 10:30 AM, then cheer participants on from the sidelines alongside a cast of beloved holiday characters as families make their way through the course. Costumes, holiday spirit, and lots of smiles are encouraged! Registration is just $5 per family, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Veterans Council of Clay County, helping support local veterans and their families. As a special holiday bonus, every registered participant will receive a $10 coupon toward a Santa photo package, making it easy to continue the fun with a memorable visit to Santa after the race. Please note: Registration for the Family Fun Run is separate from the Tougher Than You Think 5K.

**Packet pickup times and location: **1st packet pickup opportunity is November 13th from 10 am to 2 pm at the Orange Park Mall, 1910 Wells Road, Orange Park. The last packet pickup opportunity is just before the race on November 14th from 6:30 am to 7:15 am. Bring ID to pick up. Transfers are allowed through Friday evening.

**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!

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: **Clay County will be recognized as a model community that unifies, informs, and advocates effectively for its veterans and their families through coordinated leadership and a strong coalition of veterans’ organizations. 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 sustain the Clay Veterans Center that provides the Open-Door, VetTech, & Support Services Programs, as well as hosting the www.ClayVeterans.com Connection Programs.

**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. 

**Parking: **Parking will be available on-site at no charge. Carpooling is encouraged. 

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 9:30 AM - Awards, Recognitions & Veterans Day Ceremony 

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

**Course Route: **Adjacent to the Orange Park Mall

Sponsorship and Vendor Opportunities: We offer various sponsorship and vendor levels for businesses and individuals who want to support our cause. For more information, please contact info@clayveterans.com or (904) 658-0105 https://www.clayveterans.com/heroes-and-holidays-veterans-day-5k

Volunteer Opportunities: Want to help out? We are looking for volunteers to assist with various tasks on the day of the event. For more information, please contact info@clayveterans.com or (904) 658-0105