CARA RUN For Their Lives! 2026
- Date
- August 22, 2026
- Distance
- 5K · 10K · 15K
- Price
- $10–$40
From the Organizer
Join us for our 18th Year !!! as we RUN For Their Lives! on Saturday August 22, 2026 In-Person Option OR Virtual/ SLEEP Option!
Run for Their Lives! has become one of CARA's biggest fundraisers to keep our shelter in operation. Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption is a no-kill, non-profit Animal Shelter in Sanford, NC. In operation since 2004, dedicated volunteers and animal advocates took over the rescue from the San-Lee Humane Society. Since that time, CARA has been growing and helping more and more unwanted, stray, abandoned dogs and cats find their FURRR ever homes! Since CARA does not receive any public funding or assistance, every penny raised goes right to the care and well being of the animals! We're fueled completely by these events and the generosity of our supporters! CARA helped to find homes for over 350 animals in 2025!!
RUN/Walk /Jog/ our beautiful (maaaaybe a few hills!) 5k or 10k through Historic Sanford and our Greenway on Saturday August 22nd. We will again offer our "Challenge" and you can RUN BOTH courses! (Special Medal for Challenge Finishers! PLUS award for top Male &Female ) Overall Winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and Age Groups awarded for 5k and 10k or run VIRTUALLY ! Run the CARA course at your own time/schedule (course maps on this site) OR find your own 5k/10k course to RUN ! * KIDS (12 and under) FUN RUN! 1/2 Mile begins at 8:30am $20 w/ t-shirt, $10 no shirt
Leashed Dogs and Strollers are Welcome!!!
**You are welcome to walk the 5k! A brisk walk pace or walk/run for the 10k is encouraged (keeping an overall 14 min/mile pace is fine)!
OR if Running is not your cup of tea, and you would like to support CARA and get a great race t-shirt, enjoy the comfort of your bed and SLEEP for Their Lives! (your T-shirt will be mailed to you! ) Whichever option you choose, you will know that you are helping to provide better lives for the many unwanted animals here in Central North Carolina.
The 5k Run/Walk will begin at Kiwanis Park at 7:30am, The 10k will begin at 8:15am (For those running the "Challenge" and are running both courses, you would start at 7:30 with the 5k group, come back and wait until 8:15am to start with the 10k group).
Your registration for the 5k or 10k will also include the option to add a T-shirt for an additional $5 (No additional charge for Virtual/Sleep and Challenge Registrants!)
***Register by August 1st to Guarantee your T-Shirt Size! ***
***There will be no advance Packet/ BIB Pick UP*** All BIB Pick ups and New Registrations will begin Saturday morning at 6:30am!
***10k Participants can pick up their BIB anytime from 6:30am- 8:10am
Thank you for your ongoing support of Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption ; Where Pets become family!!
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
88°
Typical Low
66°
Chance of Rain
29%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Sanford 8 Ne, 8 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Sanford, NC
City Elevation
434 ft
Nearest Airport
RDU
Raleigh-Durham International Airport · 36 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at CARA RUN For Their Lives! 2026, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
66
Days to train
- Race
- CARA RUN For Their Lives! 2026
- Date
- August 22, 2026
Coming Up
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Miles 4 Moore Pinecone 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run
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From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the CARA RUN For Their Lives! 2026?
- CARA RUN For Their Lives! 2026 is a running race held in Sanford, North Carolina on August 22, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the CARA RUN For Their Lives! 2026?
- Saturday, August 22, 2026 in Sanford, North Carolina at Kiwanis Park Sanford. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the CARA RUN For Their Lives! 2026?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
CARA RUN For Their Lives! 2026
Aug 22, 2026