Description

LifeSouth Race Weekend 

The 16th Annual LifeSouth Community Foundation Race Weekend on February 19 & 20, 2022 in scenic Gainesville, Florida! 

The LifeSouth Race Weekend is an initiative of the LifeSouth Community Foundation (formerly Five Points of Life), which provides education to K-12 students about the need for blood donation. To meet the needs of patients, it's imperative that we raise a "Donation Generation" of young people who understand and are committed to giving the gift of life. There's no substitute for human blood, and donations provide relief and hope for patients with life-threatening diseases and trauma victims. LifeSouth is YOUR community blood center, and we are the only provider of blood and blood products to the major hospitals in the Gainesville area and more than a hundred other hospitals throughout Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. 

5K

(USATF certification #FL19003JK)

Our 5K takes place on Saturday, February 19 at 8 a.m. The start is also downtown, and the course takes you on a tour of the Bed and Breakfast district, the area south of Depot Park, and on the Hawthorne Connector trail and back to downtown. Runners will be treated to several post-race food options. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in each age group and male/female.

NOTE: Online registration closes for this event on Wednesday 02/16/22 at midnight.  Day of race registration will be available at early packet pick up and on  race morning for an increased entry fee. 

Kids' Marathon 

Our annual Kids' Marathon will be February 19 at 9:00 a.m. Registration is FREE through February 16. Children in grades K-8 are encouraged to participate, and can be joined by one parent or guardian, who must also register as a participating parent. Participants are encouraged to log 25 total miles before race day, either through participation in the "Morning Mile" programs at their schools or by tracking mileage individually.

NOTE:  Online registration closes for this event on Wednesday 02/16/22 at midnight.  Day of race registration will be available at early packet pick up and on race morning, however there will be an entry fee of $10. 

Half Marathon 

The race begins on Sunday, February 20 at 7 am, almost directly in front of Bo Diddley Plaza on E. University Avenue. The half marathon course includes iconic landmarks such as the Hippodrome, views of Depot Park, a run across the Helix bridge, UF Campus and Lake Alice, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the "Bacon Strip" hills of 16th Avenue and the downtown. Run "home to the 'drome" down 1st Street as you cross University Avenue to the finish. A street festival awaits, with post-race food, beer garden, and entertainment!

NOTE: Online registration closes for this event on Wednesday 02/16/22 at midnight.  Late Registration will be available at packet pick up on Friday and Saturday only.  There will be NO DAY OF RACE REGISTRATION available.

Elevated Running & Pacing Company will be providing Half Marathon Pacers for the following goal times:

1:45, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:40, 2:50, 3:00

Packet Pickup Information

Early Packet Pickup (all distances) will be available at Bo Diddley Plaza,  111 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 
Friday, February 18            4:00pm - 7:00pm 

Saturday, February 19       6:30 am-7:45 am (5K)

                                          6:30-9 am (Kids Marathon

                                           9:am - 2:00pm (Half marathon)

Sunday, February 20          5:30am - 6:30am

HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO Saturday, February 19th

9am - 2pm at the Bo Diddley Plaza

You won't want to miss our expo! Join us at the LifeSouth Health and Wellness Expo at Bo Diddley Park on Saturday, February 19 from 9 am-2 pm. We’ll have booths from great vendors for all your running and fitness needs. In addition, check out special offers from gyms and fitness studios. The expo will feature a number of community organizations that can help you and your family meet your fitness and wellness goals, too! Whether you’re cooling down from the 5K, cheering on the Kids Marathon, or grabbing your packet for the half marathon, the expo will have something for everyone. 

DISCLOSURE:  All entries are non-refundable and non-transferable to another person. A deferral option will be available until February 6th, where you can defer your entry to the 2023 event.  After this date, no deferral requests will be accepted.   

T-Shirts: Sizes are guaranteed for registrants through 01/31/22. Registrations after this date are not guaranteed a shirt. However, extra T-shirts are available and will be provided to those who registered 2/1/22 or later on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parking--Plenty of free parking is available north of University Avenue, within blocks of Bo Diddley Plaza. City lots 5,6, 8 and 13 are available, in addition to on-street parking (not metered on weekends) and at the District Offices of Alachua County Public Schools at 601 E. University Avenue. Both downtown parking garages are also available (fee applies) for early arrivals; race road closures will affect last-minute access.