Columbus Humane's 20th Annual Defend Your Friend 5K & Dog Festival
- Date Sun 13th September 2026
- Time 9:00AM EDT
- Location Lockbourne, Ohio
- Price $60.44 - $71.16
- Races 3 races
- Distances 5km, 1 Mile
Event summary
Get ready to celebrate a milestone of compassion and community at Columbus Humane's 20th Annual Defend Your Friend 5K & Dog Festival on Sunday, September 13, 2026! Located at the beautiful Bank Run Metro Park in Lockbourne, Franklin, just a short drive from downtown Columbus, this exciting event promises a fun-filled day for both humans and their furry friends. Join fellow animal lovers in participating in a timed 5K race or a leisurely 1-mile walk, all while helping to raise vital funds to support animals in need across Franklin County.
This year marks two decades of coming together to change the lives of countless animals, and your participation makes a meaningful difference. Enjoy the vibrant festival atmosphere, with registration including a stylish Defend Your Friend T-shirt and professional race timing provided by Race Penguin. Bring your family along—children 5 and under are welcome to join for free, unless they’d like their own official race bib and T-shirt. The festival kicks off at 8 AM with race day registration and packet pickup, followed by the 5K run/walk starting at 9 AM. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to support a more humane community while celebrating the bond between humans and their pets!
This year marks two decades of coming together to change the lives of countless animals, and your participation makes a meaningful difference. Enjoy the vibrant festival atmosphere, with registration including a stylish Defend Your Friend T-shirt and professional race timing provided by Race Penguin. Bring your family along—children 5 and under are welcome to join for free, unless they’d like their own official race bib and T-shirt. The festival kicks off at 8 AM with race day registration and packet pickup, followed by the 5K run/walk starting at 9 AM. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to support a more humane community while celebrating the bond between humans and their pets!
Organiser's Description
JOIN COLUMBUS HUMANE'S 20TH ANNUAL DEFEND YOUR FRIEND 5K & DOG FESTIVAL, A COMMUNITY EVENT RAISING FUNDS TO SUPPORT ANIMALS IN NEED ACROSS FRANKLIN COUNTY.
For 20 years, our community has come together for one incredible morning to change the lives of animals. Every step taken at Defend Your Friend helps Columbus Humane provide lifesaving care, protect animals from cruelty, keep pets with the families who love them and create a more humane community for all.
Join us on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026, as we celebrate this milestone anniversary at our exciting new location, Bank Run Metro Park, located just 20 minutes from downtown Columbus.
Whether you choose the timed 5K, the 1-mile walk or simply come to enjoy the festival, you'll be making a difference for thousands of animals who rely on Columbus Humane every year.
Registration includes a Defend Your Friend T-shirt and professional race timing provided by Race Penguin. Stay tuned for this year's T-shirt design. Children 5 and under do not need to register unless they would like an official race bib and T-shirt.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
8 Festival Opens, Race Day Registration & Packet Pickup Begins
9 5k Run / Walk Begins
12 Event Concludes
For 20 years, our community has come together for one incredible morning to change the lives of animals. Every step taken at Defend Your Friend helps Columbus Humane provide lifesaving care, protect animals from cruelty, keep pets with the families who love them and create a more humane community for all.
Join us on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026, as we celebrate this milestone anniversary at our exciting new location, Bank Run Metro Park, located just 20 minutes from downtown Columbus.
Whether you choose the timed 5K, the 1-mile walk or simply come to enjoy the festival, you'll be making a difference for thousands of animals who rely on Columbus Humane every year.
Registration includes a Defend Your Friend T-shirt and professional race timing provided by Race Penguin. Stay tuned for this year's T-shirt design. Children 5 and under do not need to register unless they would like an official race bib and T-shirt.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
8 Festival Opens, Race Day Registration & Packet Pickup Begins
9 5k Run / Walk Begins
12 Event Concludes
Races
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1570 Rohr Road, Lockbourne, 43137, OH, United States
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Columbus Humane's 20th Annual Defend Your Friend 5K & Dog Festival
