Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk *All proceeds benefit the Jackson Area 19 SPECIAL OLYMPICS*
- Date
- August 23, 2026
- Location
- 2800 Fourth St., Jackson, MI
- Distance
- 5k Run · 5k Walk · Kids Fun Run - FREE
From the Organizer
Mark your calendars for the 12th Annual Special Olympics Michigan Area 19 (Jackson County) Heart of a Lion chip timed 5K Run/Walk at the beautiful Ella Sharp Park located at 2800 Fourth St. Jackson, MI 49203.
The race will be held on Sunday, August 23rd at 9 a.m. with a SOMI athlete/Kids Fun Run to follow.
Pricing: $30 until 8/6 (shirt guaranteed), $35 from 8/7 to 8/22 (shirts available as supplies last), $40 race day (no shirt guaranteed)
T-Shirts guaranteed to those who register by August 6th, supplies available as they last after that date.
Overall Awards will be given to the top male and female finishers of Open (all ages), and Masters (40+),Grand Masters (60+) in the 5k Run, and 5k Walk.
Age Groups Awards to the top 3 places in each age group:
5k Run age groups: 0-12, 13-14, 15-17, 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69. 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85+
5k Walk age groups: 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
Packet pick up will be on Saturday, August 22nd from 3-5 p.m. at the SOMI office located at 210 East McDevitt Jackson, MI 49203. Race day packet pickup will start at 7:00 am at the race location, Ella Sharp Park. Race day registration is available until 8:45 a.m.
Proceeds from this race will benefit the Jackson Area 19 Special Olympics and will be used to provide year round sports training and athletic competition for persons with intellectual disabilities. All proceeds stay in Jackson, County.
Results will be available live during the event and posted online at this website.
Please note there are no dogs permitted at this event. Service dogs excluded. Please see the full policy under Race Info. This is for the safety of both our participants and your dogs. Thank you.
The race will be professionally timed by the Michigan Running Foundation. The Heart of a Lion is proud to be part of the ORS Race Series.
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
80°
Typical Low
59°
Chance of Rain
31%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Jackson Reynolds Fld, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Jackson, MI
Population
31,206
as of 2023
Elevation
932 ft
Nearest Airport
LAN
Capital Region International Airport · 38 mi
Major Hub
DTW
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport · 54 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk *All proceeds benefit the Jackson Area 19 SPECIAL OLYMPICS*, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
76
Days to train
- Race
- Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk *All proceeds benefit the Jackson Area 19 SPECIAL OLYMPICS*
- Date
- August 23, 2026
- Location
- 2800 Fourth St., Jackson, MI
Coming Up
More Running races near Jackson, MI
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Less than a mile away
Pirate Booty Dash 5K Run/Walk/FunRun
5K
10 miles away
MC Cardinal Color Run 5k Run/Walk
5K
5 miles away
Henry Ford Race to Health
Less than a mile away
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 Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk *All proceeds benefit the Jackson Area 19 SPECIAL OLYMPICS*?
- Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk *All proceeds benefit the Jackson Area 19 SPECIAL OLYMPICS* is a running race held in Jackson, Michigan on August 23, 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 Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk *All proceeds benefit the Jackson Area 19 SPECIAL OLYMPICS*?
- Sunday, August 23, 2026 in Jackson, Michigan at 2800 Fourth St., Jackson, MI. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk *All proceeds benefit the Jackson Area 19 SPECIAL OLYMPICS*?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk *All proceeds benefit the Jackson Area 19 SPECIAL OLYMPICS*
Aug 23, 2026