May 17, 2026 | Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields
Come celebrate the bison at Belwin Conservancy! Join us for Belwin's annual 5k "Run with the Bison" Fun Run! This family friendly, untimed run is open to runners and walkers of all skill levels. The 5k "Run with the Bison" Fun Run is part of our annual Belwin Bison Festival including live music, activities in the tent, food trucks, interactive eco-arts, prairie activities will be open to the public from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The bison herd are released onto the prairie around 12:30 PM.
The Belwin Bison Festival celebrates the bison's critical ecological role in restoring and maintaining our prairie. Come celebrate the return of the Bison to the prairie with us!
Be prepared for the weather – event is rain or shine.
Course
The 5k will start on Division Street and run you through two of Belwin's beautiful restored prairies: the Bison Prairie, that has been maintained by bison for the past 15 years, and Tallgrass Trails.
**Note: The bison will be released into the prairie after the 5k fun run has finished.
**Check-in begins at 9:00 am at Belwin's Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields, 15601 Hudson Road N, Lakeland. There will be a station for check in and same day registration within the tent.
**Line-up at the starting line starts at 9:45 am – starting line is a 10 minute walk from the check-in station.
Be prepared for the weather – the event is rain or shine.
Registration
Register by March 27, 2026 to receive a bandana!
5k "Run with the Bison" Fun Run
$20.00 online registration (available through May 15th, 12:00 pm)
$25.00 same day registration (in person, payable with cash, credit card, or check)
Registration fee for runners includes entrance to the festival.
* Youth 12 years and under run for FREE! They still need to register by a parent or guardian through the online system, or sign a waiver on the day of the race *
Schedule
- 9:00 AM – Check-In Starts at 9:00 am
- 9:45 AM – Line-Up starting line starts at 9:45 am – the starting line is a 10 minute walk from the check-in station.
- 10:00 AM – Run Begins!
- 10:00 – 11:30 AM 5k Run
Belwin Bison Festival including live music, activities in the tent, food trucks, interactive eco-arts, prairie activities will be open to the public from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The bison herd are released onto the prairie around 12:30 PM.
Proceeds
All proceeds and donations support native habitat restoration and environmental education at Belwin Conservancy.
For more information visit: https://belwin.org
Parking
Parking is available at Belwin's Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields, 15601 Hudson Road N, Lakeland. Entrance fee is waived for runners.
(No parking on Division Street)
Refund Policy
The Race Organizers reserve the right to cancel this event at any time due to inclement weather and/or safety concerns. In any instance the event WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED.
No Refunds. Substitutions may be considered upon request.