#Be A Buddy 5K
- Date Sat 17th October 2026
- Time 8:00AM EDT
- Location West Melbourne, Florida
- Price $38.50
- Races 1 race
- Distances 5km
Event summary
Join us for the vibrant #Be A Buddy 5K on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the beautiful Space Coast Field of Dreams in West Melbourne, Brevard. This exciting event not only offers a fun and challenging 5K race but also supports an incredibly important cause—the Parker Foundation for Autism and Child Development. Since 2015, this non-profit has been dedicated to providing free resources and educational programs for children and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders and special needs.
Participants can look forward to an energetic atmosphere filled with community spirit, as well as fantastic race amenities including a stylish race t-shirt (or a $5 no t-shirt option), a finisher medal, and free refreshments post-race. Enjoy the awards presentation for top finishers, the lively DJ entertainment, and a free family health and fitness expo featuring local vendors and fun activities like trick-or-treating for kids. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take the pledge against bullying and sign the giant unity banner, showcasing your commitment to being a buddy in our community. With activities for all ages, including a free Kids 100 Yard Dash fun run, this event is perfect for families and friends looking to make a positive impact while having a great time
Participants can look forward to an energetic atmosphere filled with community spirit, as well as fantastic race amenities including a stylish race t-shirt (or a $5 no t-shirt option), a finisher medal, and free refreshments post-race. Enjoy the awards presentation for top finishers, the lively DJ entertainment, and a free family health and fitness expo featuring local vendors and fun activities like trick-or-treating for kids. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take the pledge against bullying and sign the giant unity banner, showcasing your commitment to being a buddy in our community. With activities for all ages, including a free Kids 100 Yard Dash fun run, this event is perfect for families and friends looking to make a positive impact while having a great time
Organiser's Description
TO BENEFIT: THE PARKER FOUNDATION FOR AUTISM AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, A FLORIDA BASED 501C3 NON-PROFIT EIN# 47-2763126 SERVING BREVARD COUNTY AND BEYOND SINCE 2015. THE PARKER FOUNDATION PROVIDES FREE RESOURCES TO CHILDREN, TEENS, AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (ASD) AND SPECIAL NEEDS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH FUNDING AND FACILITATING EDUCATION, SAFETY, SPORTS AND ARTS PROGRAMS. THE #BEABUDDY 5K CELEBRATES THE _BE A BUDDY_ _INITIATIVE _WHICH INCLUDES OUR PEER BUDDY AND BUDDY AMBASSADOR PROGRAM, BULLYING PREVENTION EDUCATION, AND SAFETY INITIATIVES TO CONNECT FAMILIES WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS. THE PARKER FOUNDATION IS THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE EVENTS WHERE INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS CAN COME TOGETHER TO HELP INTEGRATE SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILIES INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES.
RACE AMENITIES:
*
AWESOME RACE T-SHIRT (OR $5 NO T-SHIRT OPTION)
*
FINISHER MEDAL
*
FREE REFRESHMENTS POST-RACE
*
AWARDS PRESENTATION FOR AGE GROUP WINNERS
*
TEAM AWARDS: FASTEST, LARGEST AND MOST TEAM SPIRIT
*
AWARDS FOR OVERALL WINNERS
*
DJ/ENTERTAINMENT
*
POST RACE FREE FAMILY HEALTH AND FITNESS EXPO HIGHLIGHTING SPONSORS AND VENDORS/LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS WITH TRICK OR TREATING FOR THE KIDS AND FUN ACTIVITIES
*
ADAPTIVE SPORTS STATIONS FOR FAMILIES: TENNIS, BASKETBALL AND SOCCER LED BY STUDENT VOLUNTEER BUDDIES
*
TAKE THE PLEDGE AGAINST BULLYING AND SIGN OUR GIANT UNITY BANNER TO SHOW YOUR COMMITMENT TO BEING A BUDDY IN OUR COMMUNITY!
TIME TABLE:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16TH - RUNNING ZONE
_(3696 N. WICKHAM ROAD, MELBOURNE, FL 32935) _
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM: PACKET PICKUP & REGISTRATION
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH - SPACE COAST FIELD OF DREAMS
_(3053 FELL ROAD, WEST MELBOURNE, FL 32904)_
7:00 AM: PACKET PICKUP & LATE REGISTRATION OPENS
7:45 AM: PACKET PICKUP & LATE REGISTRATION ENDS
8:00 AM: 5K START!
*9:00 AM: FREE KIDS 100 YARD DASH FUN RUN
*9:15 AM: AWARDS CEREMONY
_*APPROXIMATE TIMES_
AWARDS:
TOP 3 OVERALL M & F
TOP MASTERS (40+) M & F
TOP GRAND MASTERS (50+) M & F
TOP SENIOR GRAND MASTERS (60+) M & F
TOP 3 IN EACH AGE GROUP M & F: 8 & UNDER, 9-11, 12-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+
FASTEST TEAM, LARGEST TEAM AND MOST TEAM SPIRIT!
FEES:
ADULT - $35 ($40 10/16 - 10/17)
CHILD UNDER 16 - $20 ($25 10/16 - 10/17)
RACE AMENITIES:
*
AWESOME RACE T-SHIRT (OR $5 NO T-SHIRT OPTION)
*
FINISHER MEDAL
*
FREE REFRESHMENTS POST-RACE
*
AWARDS PRESENTATION FOR AGE GROUP WINNERS
*
TEAM AWARDS: FASTEST, LARGEST AND MOST TEAM SPIRIT
*
AWARDS FOR OVERALL WINNERS
*
DJ/ENTERTAINMENT
*
POST RACE FREE FAMILY HEALTH AND FITNESS EXPO HIGHLIGHTING SPONSORS AND VENDORS/LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS WITH TRICK OR TREATING FOR THE KIDS AND FUN ACTIVITIES
*
ADAPTIVE SPORTS STATIONS FOR FAMILIES: TENNIS, BASKETBALL AND SOCCER LED BY STUDENT VOLUNTEER BUDDIES
*
TAKE THE PLEDGE AGAINST BULLYING AND SIGN OUR GIANT UNITY BANNER TO SHOW YOUR COMMITMENT TO BEING A BUDDY IN OUR COMMUNITY!
TIME TABLE:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16TH - RUNNING ZONE
_(3696 N. WICKHAM ROAD, MELBOURNE, FL 32935) _
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM: PACKET PICKUP & REGISTRATION
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH - SPACE COAST FIELD OF DREAMS
_(3053 FELL ROAD, WEST MELBOURNE, FL 32904)_
7:00 AM: PACKET PICKUP & LATE REGISTRATION OPENS
7:45 AM: PACKET PICKUP & LATE REGISTRATION ENDS
8:00 AM: 5K START!
*9:00 AM: FREE KIDS 100 YARD DASH FUN RUN
*9:15 AM: AWARDS CEREMONY
_*APPROXIMATE TIMES_
AWARDS:
TOP 3 OVERALL M & F
TOP MASTERS (40+) M & F
TOP GRAND MASTERS (50+) M & F
TOP SENIOR GRAND MASTERS (60+) M & F
TOP 3 IN EACH AGE GROUP M & F: 8 & UNDER, 9-11, 12-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+
FASTEST TEAM, LARGEST TEAM AND MOST TEAM SPIRIT!
FEES:
ADULT - $35 ($40 10/16 - 10/17)
CHILD UNDER 16 - $20 ($25 10/16 - 10/17)
Races
-
Individual 5K
Incl. $3.50 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 17th October 2026 (8:00AM EDT)
$38.50
OPENS 15 FEB
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Space Coast Field of Dreams, 3053 Fell Road, West Melbourne, 32904, FL, United States
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#Be A Buddy 5K
