Nearly 1,900 participants showed their school spirit at the 12th Annual Heroes For Education 5K, presented by the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, UnitedHealthcare, and Optum, on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at John Prince Park in Lake Worth.
The family-friendly fitness event raised more than $142,000 — the most ever in the 12-year history of the race — to support public education in the School District of Palm Beach County.
A grand total of 1,894 participants took part in the 5K Run/Walk, Kids 1-Mile Fun Run, Kids 100-Yard Dash, and the super popular School Mascot Race.
Palm Beach County School Board Member Marcia Andrews, who represents District 6, served as the Honorary Chair of the 12th Annual Heroes For Education 5K.
A record-breaking $18,350 in prize money was awarded to 35 public schools in the School District of Palm Beach County for their performance and participation in a variety of categories. Thank you to the School District’s Wellness Promotion Task Force for generously contributing to the Heroes Awards (largest participating school teams).
Congratulations To The 2027 Award Winners
TOP PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT TEAMS:
- Largest Overall School Team: Saddle View Elementary School (265 Team Members)
- Largest Elementary School Team: Binks Forest Elementary School (80 Team Members)
- Largest Middle School Team: Polo Park Middle School (60 Team Members)
- Largest K-8 School Team: South Olive School (50 Team Members)
- Largest High School Team: Forest Hill Community High School (71 Team Members)
- Largest K-12 Or Alternative School Team: Royal Palm School (30 Team Members)
- Largest School District Department Team: Multicultural Education (34 Team Members)
TOP FINISHERS:
- Top Overall Male: Doug Schnittger (17:28)
- Top Overall Female: Emily Harrison (21:44)
- Top Masters Male: Duniel Viera (17:57)
- Top Masters Female: Sara Cino (22:52)
- Top Grand Masters Male: John Reback (18:23)
- Top Grand Masters Female: Nina Montez (24:52)
- Fastest Principal: Moody Fuller – Boynton Beach Community High School (22:26)
- Fastest Teacher: Duniel Viera – Wellington Community High School (17:57)
- Fastest School Mascot: Christa McAuliffe Middle School
FASTEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEAMS:
- 1st Place: Lighthouse Elementary School
- 2nd Place: Saddle View Elementary School
- 3rd Place: Allamanda Elementary School
FASTEST MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAMS:
- 1st Place: Christa McAuliffe Middle School
- 2nd Place: Roosevelt Community Middle School
- 3rd Place: Palm Springs Community Middle School
FASTEST K-8 SCHOOL TEAMS:
- 1st Place: South Olive School
- 2nd Place: The Conservatory School At North Palm Beach
- 3rd Place: Hidden Oaks K-8 School
FASTEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS:
- 1st Place: Park Vista Community High School
- 2nd Place: Forest Hill Community High School
- 3rd Place: Palm Beach Gardens Community High School
LARGEST CORPORATE TEAMS:
- 1st Place: Gold Coast Federal Credit Union (27 Team Members)
- 2nd Place: American Medical Response (18 Team Members)
- 3rd Place: Niagara Bottling (17 Team Members)
