William R. Gaines Jr. Freedom Run 5K
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Event details
The William R. Gaines Jr Freedom Run is scheduled for Saturday, December 27, 2025, at William R. Gaines Jr. Veterans Memorial Park, 20414 Edgewater Dr, Port Charlotte, FL 33952. The event includes these distances:
- 5K
- FUN 1 Mile-ish walk
Entry fees listed on the event page are $35 for the 5K ($20 for ages 1-18) and $30 for the FUN walk. Race-day registration is available online only; participants are required to register using a phone and no cash will be accepted. Packet pickup is available the day before at Charlie Foxtrot and on race morning at the park. A veterans discount is available. All proceeds go to the William R. Gaines Jr. Veterans Memorial Fund.
Course and amenities
The course starts and finishes at the veterans memorial park, beginning near the Beirut Peacekeepers Memorial Tower Plaza. The route passes athletic courts, a military-themed playground, the Charlotte County Liberty Tree, and reaches Port Charlotte Beach before returning to the park. Runners receive event t-shirts; top finishers in age categories receive dog tag shaped medals. The event is family and dog-friendly. Fruit, energy bars, and water will be available after the run. Per event policy, gun time is used for prize-money and time bonuses, while tag (chip) time is used for all age-group placements. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
