Columbus Humane's 20th Annual Defend Your Friend 5K & Dog Festival
- Date
- September 13, 2026
- Location
- 1570 Rohr Road, Lockbourne, OH
- Distance
- 5K Run/Walk
From the Organizer
Join us for Columbus Humane’s 20th Annual Defend Your Friend 5K & Dog Festival, a community event raising funds to support animal cruelty investigations across Franklin County.
Run, walk, or simply come celebrate animals—every step helps protect pets in need. The event takes place Sunday, September 13 at Bank Run Metro Park (1570 Rohr Road, Lockbourne, OH), with the 5K beginning at 9 a.m. and the Dog Festival featuring dog-centric vendors running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All proceeds support Columbus Humane’s Animal Cruelty Investigations, where humane agents work year-round to advocate for, educate about, and rescue animals in need. The first 400 registrants will receive swag bags and event T-shirts, and the event is both dog- and family-friendly—so even if you don’t want to run, register and come enjoy the festival.
Schedule of Events
7:30am: Race Day Registration & Packet Pickup Begins
9:00am: 5k Run / Walk Begins
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
81°
Typical Low
56°
Chance of Rain
22%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Columbus-Valley Crossing, 7 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Lockbourne, OH
Population
906,480
as of 2023
Elevation
682 ft
Nearest Airport
CMH
John Glenn Columbus International Airport · 14 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A big city race. Expect multiple lodging options and plenty to do the day before.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Columbus Humane's 20th Annual Defend Your Friend 5K & Dog Festival, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
97
Days to train
- Race
- Columbus Humane's 20th Annual Defend Your Friend 5K & Dog Festival
- Date
- September 13, 2026
- Location
- 1570 Rohr Road, Lockbourne, OH
Coming Up
More Running races near Lockbourne, OH
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
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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.
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Running
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Columbus Humane's 20th Annual Defend Your Friend 5K & Dog Festival?
- Columbus Humane's 20th Annual Defend Your Friend 5K & Dog Festival is a running race held in Lockbourne, Ohio on September 13, 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 Columbus Humane's 20th Annual Defend Your Friend 5K & Dog Festival?
- Sunday, September 13, 2026 in Lockbourne, Ohio at 1570 Rohr Road, Lockbourne, OH. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Columbus Humane's 20th Annual Defend Your Friend 5K & Dog Festival?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Columbus Humane's 20th Annual Defend Your Friend 5K & Dog Festival
Sep 13, 2026