20TH Annual
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 on September 13, 2026 in Lockbourne, OH, with an entry fee of $65.
- Date
- September 13, 2026 (7 days to go)
- Location
- 1570 Rohr Road, Lockbourne, OH
- Price
- $65
- Sport
- Running
From the Organizer
Celebrating 20 Years of Walking For Animals
Walk. Run. Fundraise. Make a Difference.
For 20 years, the Defend Your Friend 5K has been Columbus Humane’s biggest fundraiser of the year, bringing together hundreds of animal lovers to raise critical funds that power our lifesaving work for animals in need.
Whether you run the 5K, walk the 1-mile route, fundraise with friends or attend virtually, your participation helps Columbus Humane fight animal cruelty, help animals in need and advocate for their well-being all year long.
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Bank Run Metro Park
1570 Rohr Rd. | Lockbourne, OH
8:00 AM | Festival, packet pickup & race registration open
9:00 AM | 5K & 1-mile walk begin
12:00 PM | Event concludes
Bring Your friends. Bring Your Pup.
There’s something for everyone! You don't have to be a serious runner to be part of Defend Your Friend 5K.
Choose the experience that's right for you:
- 5K Run/Walk: Go for a personal best, run with friends or enjoy the course at your own pace.
- 1-Mile Walk: A relaxed option for families, casual walkers and anyone who wants to participate without running the 5K.
- Fundraise for Columbus Humane: Turn your participation into even more support for animals by creating a fundraising page and rallying your community.
- Virtual Supporter: Can’t make it? Show your support and secure your t-shirt.
Your registration includes:
- Race bib
- Official Defend Your Friend event T-shirt
- Professional race timing provided by Race Penguin
- 5K or 1-mile participation
- Access to the Dog Festival
- The first 400 registered participants will also receive a swag bag.
Turn Your Registration Into Even More Impact: Become a Fundraiser
Your registration gets you to the starting line. Fundraising helps us go even further for animals in need.
Start a fundraising page and tell your friends! Anyone can be part of your fundraising team.
Getting started is easy:
1. Register.
Choose the 5K, 1-mile walk, or virtual supporter option.
2. Start or join a fundraising team.
Make it a challenge with your family, friends or coworkers.
3. Share your page.
Invite your community to help you reach your goal.
Your registration fee counts toward your fundraising total, and every dollar raised helps Columbus Humane provide shelter, medical care and second chances for animals who need us most.
start your fundraiser
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, 5 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Lockbourne, OH
Population
906,480
as of 2023
City 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.
7
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
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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 an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
More Running races near Lockbourne, OH
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Columbus Humane's 20th Annual Defend Your Friend 5K & Dog Festival?
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Columbus Humane's 20th Annual Defend Your Friend 5K & Dog Festival
Sep 13, 2026