Semper Fi 5k
- Date
- November 7, 2026
- Distance
- 5k Run · 5k Walk · Active Duty Military - 5K Run - ID Required & more
From the Organizer
A History of the MCL/TEL Semper Fi 5K Charity Run for Children
The origin of the run was as a fundraiser for the children and families of the Marines and Sailors who had perished in the Marine Barracks Beirut, Lebanon terrorist bombing attack on October 23, 1983. Marine 1stLt Chris Holzworth, having recently reported to the Marine Air Training and Support Group-21 (MATSG-21), Naval Air Station Pensacola, for flight training, presented the idea for the charity run to the Commanding
Officer, Colonel Robert “Bull” Bland, USMC. MATSG-21 adopted the idea and became the first sponsor of the event, initially named The Beirut Relief 10K Run. Colonel Bland assigned 1st Lt Chris Holzworth, who had initiated the idea, as the first Race Director.
NAS Pensacola hosted the first run on Armed Forces Day in May 1984 with Brigadier General Joseph Hoar, USMC representing Headquarters Marine Corps and receiving the proceeds of the race. Over 500 military and civilian runners participated in that first event which contributed over $4,000 for a Marine Corps Scholarship Fund established for the children of the families who had lost loved ones in the Beirut attack. The race continued for several years to be sponsored and executed by MATSG-21 with all proceeds going to the scholarship fund. Eventually, the command shifted the race proceeds to Non-Profit Children’s Organizations of the Greater Pensacola area in keeping with “the tradition of giving to the children.” Each year Semper Fi 5K runners are joined by local active-duty military units, such as MATSG-21/23, several Naval Aviation training squadrons, and local high school JROTC units who run the event in formation.
In 2014, because the military was heavily engaged in the Global War on Terror (GWOT), leadership for the race changed to the Marine Corps League (MCL), Cpl J. R. Spears Detachment 066. At the same time.
The race starts and finishes at Seville Quarter in Downtown Pensacola.
Packet Pickup/Late Registration
Friday November 6th | 3pm-6pm
Running Wild
3012 E Cervantes St
Pensacola, FL 32503
Saturday November 7th Race Day 6:30 am-7:30 am
Seville Quarter
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
74°
Typical Low
53°
Chance of Rain
23%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Pensacola Rgnl Ap, 5 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Pensacola, FL
Elevation
79 ft
Nearest Airport
PNS
Pensacola International Airport · 4 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
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Race Location
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Waiting For?
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Coming Up
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From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Semper Fi 5k?
- Semper Fi 5k is a running race held in Pensacola, Florida on November 7, 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 Semper Fi 5k?
- Saturday, November 7, 2026 in Pensacola, Florida at 130 E Government St, Pensacola, FL. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Semper Fi 5k?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Semper Fi 5k
Nov 7, 2026