31st Summer Sunrise Watermelon Series | Lakeland, FL
About this race
This race is held by the Lakeland Runners Club, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to promote running and fitness for people of all ages and abilities in the community.
Summer Sunrise Watermelon Series
📅 Saturday, June 13, July 11, August 8, 2026
🕢 7:00 AM
📍 Lake Hollingsworth | Lakeland, FL
The Summer Sunrise Watermelon Race Series isn’t just a race—it’s a celebration of summer, competition, and community. Whether you're an elite runner chasing a personal best or a walker soaking in the morning sunshine, this three-race 5K series welcomes everyone to embrace the challenge. Run a single 5k or sign up for the three race series.
Held at Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland, FL, each race brings fast times, fierce competition, and a vibrant atmosphere. The event has long been a proving ground for top local athletes while remaining an inviting experience for casual runners and walkers alike.
Beyond the finish line, the Watermelon 5K Series fuels scholarship funding for Polk County students—a tradition that started in 2011 and has grown to over $123,000 awarded to deserving high school seniors. So lace up, hit the pavement, and #GetSweatyForScholarships!
Walkers are welcome at this event. The Watermelon 5k is held on a USATF-certified course (FL21019JK). The race is chip-timed.
We are unable to mail 🔢bibs, 🎽shirts, 🏅finisher medals, or 🏆awards.
If you are not able to attend, please make arrangements for in-person pickup. A friend or family member may collect your packet during the scheduled packet pickup window or retrieve your award during the awards ceremony. Please refer to the race info for specific times and locations.
Any shirts not picked up before the race begins will be available for exchange after the race.
Please see our menu for details on:
• FAQ
• How to Participate
• Race Details
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• How to Support the Event as a Donor or Sponsor
• Volunteer Information
Join fellow runners on June 13, 2020 for the 31st Summer Sunrise Watermelon Series | Lakeland, FL. It's a fantastic 5K featuring a flat and fast course in Lakeland.
Pick your distance
Running
5k Race Series - Jun, Jul & Aug
Your entry includes • Three Chip-timed 5ks • Participant Shirt • Three Finisher Medal • Post Race Celebration
June 5k
Your entry includes • Single Chip-timed 5k • June Finisher Medal • Post Race Celebration
July 5k
Your entry includes • Single Chip-timed 5k • July Finisher Medal • Post Race Celebration
August 5k
Your entry includes • Single Chip-timed 5k • August Finisher Medal • Post Race Celebration
Weather Overview
These values reflect historical conditions on the race dates in Lakeland in 2020, from Open-Meteo archive data.
About Lakeland
31st Summer Sunrise Watermelon Series | Lakeland, FL takes place in Lakeland, Florida, United States. The local timezone is America/New_York.
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Race information has been sourced from the event's official website and other publicly available resources. For the most up-to-date details, please refer to the official website directly. If you notice any incorrect or missing information, don't hesitate to reach out to us by email.