#Be A Buddy 5K
- Date Sat 18th October 2025
- Time 8:00AM EDT
- Location West Melbourne, Florida
- Price $33.00 - $38.50
- Races 2 races
- Distances 5km
Event summary
Get ready to lace up your running shoes for the vibrant #Be A Buddy 5K, taking place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, in the beautiful West Melbourne, Brevard! This exciting event is not just a race; it’s a celebration of community and inclusion, benefiting The Parker Foundation for Autism and Child Development. Participants will enjoy a scenic 5K run, with the course starting at the Space Coast Field of Dreams, where the energy will be palpable!
The day kicks off early with packet pickup and late registration starting at 7:00 AM, followed by the 5K race at 8:00 AM. Runners of all ages can join the fun, with a special Kids 100 Yard Dash happening at 9:00 AM. The event promises a fantastic atmosphere with a DJ, post-race refreshments, and a Family Health and Fitness Expo featuring local vendors and fun activities, including trick-or-treating for the kids! Plus, participants can win awards for their performance, team spirit, and more! Join us in making a difference while promoting awareness and kindness in our community—be a buddy and run for a cause!
The day kicks off early with packet pickup and late registration starting at 7:00 AM, followed by the 5K race at 8:00 AM. Runners of all ages can join the fun, with a special Kids 100 Yard Dash happening at 9:00 AM. The event promises a fantastic atmosphere with a DJ, post-race refreshments, and a Family Health and Fitness Expo featuring local vendors and fun activities, including trick-or-treating for the kids! Plus, participants can win awards for their performance, team spirit, and more! Join us in making a difference while promoting awareness and kindness in our community—be a buddy and run for a cause!
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 17TH - RUNNING ZONE
_(3696 N. WICKHAM ROAD, MELBOURNE, FL 32935) _
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM: PACKET PICKUP & REGISTRATION
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18TH - 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 3 IN EACH AGE GROUP M & F: 9 & UNDER, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 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 10/17 - 10/18)
CHILD UNDER 16 - $20 ($25 10/17 - 10/18)
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 17TH - RUNNING ZONE
_(3696 N. WICKHAM ROAD, MELBOURNE, FL 32935) _
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM: PACKET PICKUP & REGISTRATION
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18TH - 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 3 IN EACH AGE GROUP M & F: 9 & UNDER, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 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 10/17 - 10/18)
CHILD UNDER 16 - $20 ($25 10/17 - 10/18)
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