CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — Registration is officially open for the 12th Annual Save a Heart 5K, hosted by the Florida Department of Health in Citrus County. The event, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, offers both in-person and virtual options for community members looking to participate.
Organizers are inviting residents to run, walk, cycle, or swim as part of the annual event. The in-person portion of the 5K will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Whispering Pines Park, located at 1700 Forest Dr. in Inverness. Attendees are asked to meet at the park pavilion at least 15 minutes prior to the start time.
Participants choosing the virtual route have the flexibility to complete their distance at their own pace, location, and time, either individually or in teams.
Virtual participants can submit their activities, times, and distances through the official race website between Sept. 13 and Sept. 19.
Online registration for both the in-person and virtual formats is open now and will close at midnight on Sept. 13.
The first 200 people to sign up for either option will receive an event t-shirt and swag bag. Pickup for these items will be held at the UF IFAS Building, located at 3650 W. Sovereign Path in Lecanto, during three designated time slots:
- Monday, Sept. 14: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 15: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 17: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The event aims to encourage local residents to find creative ways to meet the health guideline recommendation of 150 minutes of physical activity per week. According to health officials, regular exercise supports cardiovascular health, cognitive function, bone and muscle strength, and weight management.
READ: Citrus County Traffic Alert: FDOT Schedules Overnight, Daytime Lane Closures For Aug 2–8
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