CARA RUN For Their Lives! 2026
- Date Sat 22nd August 2026
- Time 7:30AM EDT
- Location Sanford, North Carolina
- Price $11.60 - $43.40
- Races 6 races
- Distances 5km, 10km
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Event summary
Get ready to lace up your running shoes for the CARA RUN For Their Lives! event on Saturday, August 22, 2026, in beautiful Sanford, Lee County! Celebrating its 18th year, this vibrant fundraiser supports the Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption (CARA), a dedicated no-kill shelter committed to finding forever homes for abandoned and stray animals. Participants can choose between a scenic 5K or a more challenging 10K route, both taking place in Historic Sanford and along the picturesque Greenway.
The 5K Run/Walk kicks off at 7:30 AM, followed by the 10K at 8:15 AM, with an exciting "Challenge" option available for those daring enough to tackle both distances! Plus, there’s a special Kids Fun Run for children aged 12 and under, starting at 8:30 AM. For those who prefer to support from home, a virtual "SLEEP Option" allows you to participate at your own pace while still making a difference. With awards for top finishers and age group categories, this event promises to be a fun-filled day for the whole family—leashed dogs and strollers are welcome too! Join us in making a positive impact
The 5K Run/Walk kicks off at 7:30 AM, followed by the 10K at 8:15 AM, with an exciting "Challenge" option available for those daring enough to tackle both distances! Plus, there’s a special Kids Fun Run for children aged 12 and under, starting at 8:30 AM. For those who prefer to support from home, a virtual "SLEEP Option" allows you to participate at your own pace while still making a difference. With awards for top finishers and age group categories, this event promises to be a fun-filled day for the whole family—leashed dogs and strollers are welcome too! Join us in making a positive impact
Organiser's Description
Join us for our 18th Year !!! as we RUN For Their Lives! on Saturday August 22, 2026 In-Person Option OR Virtual/ SLEEP Option!
Run for Their Lives! has become one of CARA's biggest fundraisers to keep our shelter in operation. Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption is a no-kill, non-profit Animal Shelter in Sanford, NC. In operation since 2004, dedicated volunteers and animal advocates took over the rescue from the San-Lee Humane Society. Since that time, CARA has been growing and helping more and more unwanted, stray, abandoned dogs and cats find their FURRR ever homes! Since CARA does not receive any public funding or assistance, every penny raised goes right to the care and well being of the animals! We're fueled completely by these events and the generosity of our supporters! CARA helped to find homes for over 400 animals in 2024!!
RUN/Walk /Jog/ our beautiful (maaaaybe a few hills!) 5K OR 10K through Historic Sanford and our Greenway on Saturday August 22nd. We will again offer our "CHALLENGE" and you can RUN BOTH courses! (SPECIAL MEDAL FOR CHALLENGE FINISHERS! PLUS award for top Male &Female ) OVERALL WINNERS (1ST, 2ND, 3RD) AND AGE GROUPS AWARDED FOR 5K AND 10K or run VIRTUALLY ! Run the CARA course at your own time/schedule (course maps on this site) OR find your own 5k/10k course to RUN ! * KIDS (12 AND UNDER) FUN RUN! 1/2 MILE BEGINS AT 8:30AM $20 W/ TSHIRT, $10 NO SHIRT
Leashed Dogs and Strollers are Welcome!!!
**You are welcome to walk the 5k! A brisk walk pace or walk/run for the 10k is encouraged (keeping an overall 14 min/mile pace is fine)!
OR if Running is not your cup of tea, and you would like to support CARA and get a great race t-shirt, enjoy the comfort of your bed and SLEEP for Their Lives! (your T-shirt will be mailed to you! ) Whichever option you choose, you will know that you are helping to provide better lives for the many unwanted animals here in Central North Carolina.
The 5k Run/Walk will begin at Kiwanis Park at 7:30am, The 10k will begin at 8:15am (For those running the "Challenge" and are running both courses, you would start at 7:30 with the 5k group, come back and wait until 8:15am to start with the 10k group).
YOUR REGISTRATION FOR THE 5K OR 10K WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE OPTION TO ADD A T-SHIRT FOR AN ADDITIONAL $5 (NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE FOR VIRTUAL/SLEEP AND CHALLENGE REGISTRANTS!)
***REGISTER BY AUGUST 10TH TO GUARANTEE YOUR T-SHIRT SIZE! ***
Thank you for your ongoing support of Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption ; Where Pets become family!!
***There will be no advance Packet/ BIB Pick UP*** All BIB Pick ups and New Registrations will begin Saturday morning at 6:30am! ***
Run for Their Lives! has become one of CARA's biggest fundraisers to keep our shelter in operation. Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption is a no-kill, non-profit Animal Shelter in Sanford, NC. In operation since 2004, dedicated volunteers and animal advocates took over the rescue from the San-Lee Humane Society. Since that time, CARA has been growing and helping more and more unwanted, stray, abandoned dogs and cats find their FURRR ever homes! Since CARA does not receive any public funding or assistance, every penny raised goes right to the care and well being of the animals! We're fueled completely by these events and the generosity of our supporters! CARA helped to find homes for over 400 animals in 2024!!
RUN/Walk /Jog/ our beautiful (maaaaybe a few hills!) 5K OR 10K through Historic Sanford and our Greenway on Saturday August 22nd. We will again offer our "CHALLENGE" and you can RUN BOTH courses! (SPECIAL MEDAL FOR CHALLENGE FINISHERS! PLUS award for top Male &Female ) OVERALL WINNERS (1ST, 2ND, 3RD) AND AGE GROUPS AWARDED FOR 5K AND 10K or run VIRTUALLY ! Run the CARA course at your own time/schedule (course maps on this site) OR find your own 5k/10k course to RUN ! * KIDS (12 AND UNDER) FUN RUN! 1/2 MILE BEGINS AT 8:30AM $20 W/ TSHIRT, $10 NO SHIRT
Leashed Dogs and Strollers are Welcome!!!
**You are welcome to walk the 5k! A brisk walk pace or walk/run for the 10k is encouraged (keeping an overall 14 min/mile pace is fine)!
OR if Running is not your cup of tea, and you would like to support CARA and get a great race t-shirt, enjoy the comfort of your bed and SLEEP for Their Lives! (your T-shirt will be mailed to you! ) Whichever option you choose, you will know that you are helping to provide better lives for the many unwanted animals here in Central North Carolina.
The 5k Run/Walk will begin at Kiwanis Park at 7:30am, The 10k will begin at 8:15am (For those running the "Challenge" and are running both courses, you would start at 7:30 with the 5k group, come back and wait until 8:15am to start with the 10k group).
YOUR REGISTRATION FOR THE 5K OR 10K WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE OPTION TO ADD A T-SHIRT FOR AN ADDITIONAL $5 (NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE FOR VIRTUAL/SLEEP AND CHALLENGE REGISTRANTS!)
***REGISTER BY AUGUST 10TH TO GUARANTEE YOUR T-SHIRT SIZE! ***
Thank you for your ongoing support of Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption ; Where Pets become family!!
***There will be no advance Packet/ BIB Pick UP*** All BIB Pick ups and New Registrations will begin Saturday morning at 6:30am! ***
Races
-
5k
Incl. $2.50 Fee & Cotton T-Shirt (Unisex)
Sat 22nd August 2026 (7:30AM EDT)
$27.50
In Person 5k Run/Walk on Saturday August 22nd . Run or Walk or any combo! Leashed Dogs Welcomed in the race! The 5k Race begins promptly at 7:30am -
10k
Incl. $2.50 Fee & Cotton T-Shirt (Unisex)
Sat 22nd August 2026 (8:15AM EDT)
$27.50
In Person 10k Run/ Walk on Saturday August 22nd. Leashed Dogs welcomed to run with you! The 10k Race will begin promptly at 8:15am. (pls maintain at least a 14min mile pace ) -
Virtual Run (Or SLEEP!) for Their Lives! 2026
Incl. $2.80 Fee & Cotton T-Shirt (Unisex)
$32.80
Virtual Option - Run can be completed anytime, any place. 5k or 10k ! You do NOT have to submit your Run Time/ Info. OR just SLEEEP in For Their Lives! (Your T-shirt will be mailed to you for both Virtual and Sleep Options!) -
CHALLENGE Run! (Both 5k and 10k) 2026
Incl. $3.40 Fee & Cotton T-Shirt (Unisex)
Sat 22nd August 2026 (7:30AM EDT)
$43.40
Run Both the 5k and 10k Course to earn the special Challenge Medal!! Awards given to Overall Challenge Winners M/F (Start at 7:30am with the 5k runners, come back to the finish and wait until 8:15am to begin the 10k Race) -
KIDS' FUN RUN! 1/2 Mile (W/ T-Shirt)
Incl. $2.20 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 22nd August 2026 (8:30AM EDT)
$22.20
Kids 12 and under can Run/Walk the 1/2 mile paved loop (twice) in Kiwanis Park (the loop right besides the Splash Pad and Playground area. All Kids receive a special finisher medal! T-Shirt is included i this option. -
KIDS' FUN RUN! 1/2 Mile (NO T-SHIRT OPTION)
Incl. $1.60 Fee
Sat 22nd August 2026 (8:30AM EDT)
$11.60
Kids 12 and under can Run/Walk the 1/2 mile paved loop (twice) in Kiwanis Park (the loop right besides the Splash Pad and Playground area. All Kids receive a special finisher medal! (This is the NO SHIRT OPTION)
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Kiwanis Park Sanford, 1800 Wicker Street, Sanford, 27330, NC, United States
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CARA RUN For Their Lives! 2026
