Lace up your athletic shoes and join the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County for the 11th Annual Heroes For Education 5K, presented by UnitedHealthcare and Optum, on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at John Prince Park in Lake Worth. This exciting and inspiring event promotes health and wellness, while also raising money and support for the A-rated School District of Palm Beach County!
DATE: Sunday, October 5, 2025
LOCATION: John Prince Park (4756 South Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, FL 33461)
RACE DAY SCHEDULE:
- 6:00 AM: Race Day Registration
- 7:15 AM: Kids 1-Mile Fun Run (Ages 12 and Under)
- 7:30 AM: Warm Up
- 7:45 AM: 5K Run/Walk (Chip Timed)
- 8:45 AM: School Mascot Race
- 9:00 AM: Kids 100-Yard Dash (Ages 7 and Under)
- 9:15 AM: Awards Ceremony
PRICING:
5K Run/Walk
- $35 – General Registration (before Sept. 21)
- $25 – School District Employees (before Sept. 21)
- $40 – General Registration (Sept. 21 – Oct. 5)
- $30 – School District Employees (Sept. 21 – Oct. 5)
Kids Events
- $20 – Kids 1-Mile Fun Run
- $15 – Kids 100-Yard Dash
NOTE: Discounted pricing available for School District of Palm Beach County students, teachers, and employees with valid ID. No other coupons apply.
AccuChip Timing | Finisher Medals | Race Event Shirt & Goodies | Tons Of Awards
HEROES AWARDS (Palm Beach County Public Schools):
- $1,250 – Top Participating Team (Overall)
- $1,000 – Top Participating Team (Elementary School)
- $1,000 – Top Participating Team (Middle School)
- NEW THIS YEAR: $1,000 – Top Participating Team (K-8 School)
- $1,000 – Top Participating Team (High School)
- $1,000 – Top Participating Team (Alternative School)
NOTE: All Heroes Awards prize money will go directly to the winning schools for educational supplies. Even if separate groups have been created at a school — sports teams, clubs, etc. — the prize money will still go to the school for educational supplies, and not the individual groups.
FASTEST TEAM:
- $500 – 1st Place
- $300 – 2nd Place
- $200 – 3rd Place
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place prizes will be awarded for Elementary School, Middle School, K-8 School (NEW THIS YEAR), and High School. Each award will be presented to a school district-operated Palm Beach County public school of the registered team. Private and charter schools are not eligible. Fastest Team awards are based on the results of the 5K Run. One award per school.
AGE GROUP AWARDS:
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place awards will be presented to male and female participants in the following categories:
- Top 3 Overall
- Masters
- Age Groups: 9 and Under, 10–14, 15–19, 20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70 and Over
NOTE: All children who compete in the Kids 1-Mile Fun Run and Kids 100-Yard Dash will receive a finisher medal!
SCHOOL MASCOT DASH:
It’s a dash to the finish line for our Palm Beach County public school mascots to claim the School Mascot Dash title. Will your school be there?
$250 for the fastest mascot on the move! $100 just for participating in the race. REGISTRATION IS FREE!
Schools that win a Heroes Award can also win the School Mascot Dash. This race is only for costumed School District of Palm Beach County mascots!
Race results will be posted on the morning of the race and updated every 5 minutes until all runners are finished. The final race results will be posted on the AccuChip Timing website after 2:00 p.m. on the day of the race.
PACKET PICKUP LOCATIONS:
To Be Determined — Check Back For Updates
NEW THIS YEAR: HEROES FOR EDUCATION 5K TRAINING PROGRAM
The Education Foundation of Palm Beach County wants you to be race ready for the Heroes For Education 5K! For the first time, we’ve launched a special 5K Training Program, which runs for six weeks and will help you cross the finish line with pride and confidence, no matter your fitness level. You can download the training guide by clicking here.
If this is your first time participating in or training for a 5K, the American Council on Exercise offers this guidance:
- Complete a medical exam with a licensed physician to make sure it’s safe for you to begin a running program
- Set attainable goals and don’t push your limits
- Start with a walk/run program to ease into your training, and always take off at least two days a week from training to recover
- Make sure you have proper running shoes that offer good cushioning and support
- Never run on an empty tank. Have a light carbohydrate snack 90 minutes to 1 hour before your runs
- Drink plenty of fluids, at least 16 ounces of water 2 to 3 hours before your run. Then, plan to drink 7 to 10 ounces of fluids every 15 minutes during your run
- Eat a light carbohydrate and protein snack soon after your run
- Familiarize yourself with the race course and always keep enough space between you and other runners to avoid accidents
For more information about 5K training and fitness, contact the School District of Palm Beach County’s Wellness Team at staffwellness@palmbeachschools.org.
NOTE: The Heroes For Education 5K raises vital funds and awareness for public education in Palm Beach County. Therefore, no refunds are available. Thank you for supporting students and teachers in Palm Beach County public schools!
For more information about the Heroes For Education 5K, contact Race Director Matt Papaycik at matthew@educationfoundationpbc.org.
Interested in becoming a sponsor for the race? Contact teresa@educationfoundationpbc.org or rita@educationfoundationpbc.org.
