Haines City Mayor’s 5K Sells Out and Applications are Open for Trunk-or-Treat
The Mayor’s 5K Run/WalkÂ
Anyone still thinking about signing up for the Haines City Mayor’s 5K is too late. The event sold out ahead of Saturday’s start. Neighbors who still want to be involved can cheer along the race path during the early morning run.
A race update posted Sept. 29 on the city’s registration page announced the 2026 Mayor’s 5K is completely sold out. Organizers had added a few more spots after the original field filled, and those went quickly.
The run-walk is set for Saturday, Oct. 3, at Lake Eva Park, 555 Ledwith Ave. The city says the race benefits Haines City’s Relay for Life.
An employee at Haines City Parks & Rec confirmed there is no onsite registration on race morning, but participants should check in at 6:00 am for the 7:30 am start.
Registered runners get a t-shirt, and every finisher will receive a medal. Trophies go to the top three male and female finishers in both the adult and youth divisions.
The course starts and ends at the park, looping Lake Eva by way of 3rd Street, Wood Avenue, South 1st Street, Peninsular Avenue, Peninsular Drive, Alta Vista Drive, South 10th Street, Johns Avenue and South 9th Street before rejoining the Lake Eva Park Trail and finishing on the Great Lawn.
The city has not posted a start time for the 2026 race, but the course information advises that runners should be past the route by roughly 7:45 a.m., so drivers and residents along those streets should expect a brief early-morning interruption and neighbors who want to cheer should plan accordingly.
The race is presented with AdventHealth Heart of Florida, Soni Family Practice and Duke Energy. The city’s announcement casts the morning as an invitation from Mayor Vernel Smith to get some early exercise while supporting a local cause. The event page says the proceeds from the Mayor’s 5K will help support various local organizations, making a positive impact throughout the community. Find it on The Citrus Tea News events calendar.
Trunk-or-Treat Applications Are Open
The next thing on the Lake Eva calendar is the annual Trunk-or-Treat. Haines City is accepting applications to host a trunk, with the event set for Saturday, Oct. 24, at Lake Eva Park. The city says businesses, clubs, and other organizations can participate at no cost, and the 2026 application is posted and available now on the Haines City Special Events page.
Presented by the city and Miracle Toyota, the event pairs trick-or-treating with a lineup of vehicles children can get close to, including construction equipment and emergency vehicles. For more information, contact the city directly. Find it on The Citrus Tea News events calendar.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Haines City Mayor’s 5K sold out?
Yes. A race update posted Sept. 29, 2026, on the city’s registration page says the 2026 Mayor’s 5K is sold out. Organizers added a limited number of extra spots after the original field filled, and those filled as well.
Can runners register on race day for the Haines City Mayor’s 5K?
No. The city’s race update states that on-site registration will not be available on race morning.
What does the Haines City Mayor’s 5K support?
The city says the Mayor’s 5K benefits Haines City’s Relay for Life. The race is presented with AdventHealth Heart of Florida, Soni Family Practice and Duke Energy.
Which streets does the Haines City Mayor’s 5K route use?
The course starts and ends at Lake Eva Park and runs along 3rd Street, Wood Avenue, South 1st Street, Peninsular Avenue, Peninsular Drive, Alta Vista Drive, South 10th Street, Johns Avenue, and South 9th Street before returning to the Lake Eva Park Trail and finishing on the Great Lawn. The city’s course information advises that runners should be past the route by roughly 7:45 a.m.
How can businesses join Haines City’s Trunk-or-Treat?
The city has posted its 2026 Trunk-or-Treat trunk application and says businesses, clubs, and other organizations can take part at no cost in the Oct. 24 event at Lake Eva Park. Haines City Parks and Recreation handles applications at 863-421-3700.
Sources: “Mayor’s 5k,” City of Haines City, https://www.hainescity.com/409/Mayors-5k , Aug. 18, 2026; “Trunk-or-Treat,” City of Haines City, https://hainescity.com/354/Trunk-or-Treat, Sept. 9, 2026; “Special Events,” City of Haines City, https://hainescity.com/531/Special-Events.
