UF Homecoming & Gator Growl - Chomp for Charity 5K
About This Event
UF Homecoming & Gator Growl's Chomp for Charity 5K is a race through Depot Park that raises money for the Humane Society of North Central Florida, a Gainesville-based, 501(c)(3) no-kill shelter committed to ending the needless euthanasia of healthy, treatable pets. The Humane Society of North Central Florida serves as a lead agency for reducing local shelter euthanasia through adoption, low-cost veterinary care, and fostering. Students and the Gainesville community will join together to race through Depot Park in Downtown Gainesville, celebrating UF Homecoming & Gator Growl's commitment to charity. Students and families of all ages are welcome and encouraged to participate in the Chomp for Charity 5K!
Join us at First Magnitude Brewing Company for an unforgettable event through one of Gainesville's most beloved locations! Registration IS NOW OPEN** **and closes on September 16th at 4:00 pm.
If you choose to fill out which organization you are running with or for, you and your groups will be paired with animals from the Humane Society to run for. Participants who place in the top 3 in either group (men or women) will receive a prize. Registration will be accepted on the day of, with a $5 price increase for all individuals.
AFTER COMPLETING THE RACE, join us in our first Chomp for Charity 5K reception at First Magnitude Brewing Company. Come and celebrate by watching the student band Petty Theft take the stage at 7:30 pm at First Magnitude while enjoying a free drink, included with your registration purchase.
If you are interested in supporting the Humane Society of North Central Florida in any other way, please consider donating to the cause using the 'donate' page above. To learn more about the Humane Society of North Central Florida, please visit their official website: https://www.humanesocietyncfl.org/
Parking:** **
Please utilize either First Magnitude Brewing or Depot Park parking lots for race day parking.
Starts at First Magnitude Brewing Company (1220 SE Veitch St, Gainesville, FL 32601)
Timeline:
5:00 PM: Check-in begins at Depot Park
**6:30 PM: **The Chomp for Charity 5K Starts in Depot Park!
7:30 PM: Petty Theft Band takes the stage at First Magnitude
Weather
Frequently Asked Questions
When is UF Homecoming & Gator Growl - Chomp for Charity 5K 2026?
Where does UF Homecoming & Gator Growl - Chomp for Charity 5K take place?
How do I register for UF Homecoming & Gator Growl - Chomp for Charity 5K?
Is there a promo code for UF Homecoming & Gator Growl - Chomp for Charity 5K?
Get Race Updates & Training Tips
Join thousands of Florida runners. Weekly updates on races, training tips, and local running news.
Registration
Registration links may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Local Running Stores
Gainesville, North Florida
Fit2Run at Celebration Pointe brings Gainesville runners a full-service specialty running experience in one of the city's most vibrant retail destinations. Staff are trained runners who use video gait analysis to match each customer with the right shoe for their foot type and training goals. The store carries an extensive selection of performance footwear from leading brands including Brooks, Hoka, On Running, and ASICS, alongside technical apparel, hydration gear, and recovery tools. Whether you're prepping for the Gate River Run or logging easy miles around Depot Park, the team here can set you up from head to toe. Fit2Run Celebration Pointe also hosts community group runs and connects local runners with upcoming race events throughout North Florida.
phone (352) 519-4942 language Visit WebsiteGainesville, North Florida
Lloyd Clarke Sports has been a Gainesville institution since 1976, serving the University of Florida community and the broader North Florida running and outdoor population for nearly five decades. Located on NW 13th Street near the UF campus, the store is deeply embedded in the daily life of Gainesville runners, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts. The store carries a curated selection of performance running footwear from brands including Brooks, ASICS, On Running, and Saucony, alongside technical apparel and accessories. Staff bring genuine expertise and a community-first approach that has kept generations of Gainesville runners coming back. As one of the longest-running specialty sports retailers in the region, Lloyd Clarke Sports represents the kind of locally rooted running store that defines a city's running culture — a place where runners of all levels feel at home.
phone (352) 372-7836 language Visit WebsiteUF Homecoming & Gator Growl - Chomp for Charity 5K
September 16, 2026