Freebird 5K
- Date Sat 13th September 2025
- Time 6:30AM EDT
- Location Lexington, Kentucky
- Price Free - $33.25
- Races 4 races
- Distances 5km, 1 Mile
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the inaugural Freebird 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, September 13, 2025, starting at 8:00 AM in Lexington, Fayette! This exciting event takes place at Coldstream Dog Park along the beautiful Legacy Trail, featuring a flat and fast course perfect for runners and walkers of all levels. Participants can choose from a 5K Run/Walk or join in on the untimed 1-Miler Fun Walk, with a virtual option available for those who prefer to join from afar.
The Freebird 5K is not just about the race; it's a celebration honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" O'Connell, a beloved public servant and community enthusiast. Runners will receive commemorative colorful tie-dyed T-shirts (or can opt for no shirt) and have the chance to win overall and age group awards. Enjoy food, fun, and fellowship while capturing memories with free race photos and a Finish Line Photo Contest. Plus, gather your friends and family to form social teams for an enhanced race experience, with a prize for the largest team! All proceeds will benefit the Lexington Public Safety Museum, preserving the rich history of public safety in Fayette County. Join us as
The Freebird 5K is not just about the race; it's a celebration honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" O'Connell, a beloved public servant and community enthusiast. Runners will receive commemorative colorful tie-dyed T-shirts (or can opt for no shirt) and have the chance to win overall and age group awards. Enjoy food, fun, and fellowship while capturing memories with free race photos and a Finish Line Photo Contest. Plus, gather your friends and family to form social teams for an enhanced race experience, with a prize for the largest team! All proceeds will benefit the Lexington Public Safety Museum, preserving the rich history of public safety in Fayette County. Join us as
Organiser's Description
JOIN US FOR THE INAUGURAL FREEBIRD 5K RUN/WALK HONORING THE LIFE & LEGACY OF CHARLES "CHARLIE" O'CONNELL.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH AT 8:00AM AT COLDSTREAM DOG PARK/LEGACY TRAIL
RACE FEATURES:
* Flat/fast and scenic course at Coldstream Park/Legacy Trail
* Commemorative colorful tie-dyed T-shirts (Or select the No Shirt option)
* 5K Run/Walk, 1 Miler (untimed) Fun Walk & Virtual Option
* Overall & Age Group Awards
* Free Race Photos (Thanks Paul Martin Photography) & Finish Line Photo Contest
* Social Teams to Enhance Your Race Experience (Prize for the largest team)
* Convenient race morning Packet Pickup at Coldstream Park
* Food, fun and fellowship as we honor a great Lexingtonian and his legacy
Our inaugural race will benefit the LEXINGTON PUBLIC SAFETY MUSEUM which is dedicated to preserving, collecting, and exhibiting the history of all public safety agencies within Fayette County, Kentucky. It serves as an ambassador and advocate for public safety, promoting safety awareness, diversity, and collective heritage.
CHARLES CHARLIE OCONNELL JULY 5, 1954 SEPTEMBER 16, 2021; A larger than life spirit that is still felt within Lexington! Affectionately called Charlie O by many that knew him, he was a husband, a son, a brother, an uncle and a beloved friend of so many! Charlie was as public servant to the core. He was always ready to offer a helping hand to anyone in need! Charlie devoted his life to public safety! Charlie worked for UKPD, Lexington PD, Lexington E911 as a PD Dispatcher and Fire Dispatch Supervisor. Charlie had a public safety heart, a servant leader. Charlie left everyone he came in contact better! Charlie was a music enthusiast and adventurous! Whether he was running, bicycling, riding in his convertible, motorcycling, or flying his Cessna he loved the feeling of the wind. He loved feeling free! Our 5K was founded In honor of Charlies legacy in public safety.
This is the inaugural race! We plan to make this bigger and better in the years to come. Fly high Charlie O' ---- Freebird!
RACE LOGO COMING SOON!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH AT 8:00AM AT COLDSTREAM DOG PARK/LEGACY TRAIL
RACE FEATURES:
* Flat/fast and scenic course at Coldstream Park/Legacy Trail
* Commemorative colorful tie-dyed T-shirts (Or select the No Shirt option)
* 5K Run/Walk, 1 Miler (untimed) Fun Walk & Virtual Option
* Overall & Age Group Awards
* Free Race Photos (Thanks Paul Martin Photography) & Finish Line Photo Contest
* Social Teams to Enhance Your Race Experience (Prize for the largest team)
* Convenient race morning Packet Pickup at Coldstream Park
* Food, fun and fellowship as we honor a great Lexingtonian and his legacy
Our inaugural race will benefit the LEXINGTON PUBLIC SAFETY MUSEUM which is dedicated to preserving, collecting, and exhibiting the history of all public safety agencies within Fayette County, Kentucky. It serves as an ambassador and advocate for public safety, promoting safety awareness, diversity, and collective heritage.
CHARLES CHARLIE OCONNELL JULY 5, 1954 SEPTEMBER 16, 2021; A larger than life spirit that is still felt within Lexington! Affectionately called Charlie O by many that knew him, he was a husband, a son, a brother, an uncle and a beloved friend of so many! Charlie was as public servant to the core. He was always ready to offer a helping hand to anyone in need! Charlie devoted his life to public safety! Charlie worked for UKPD, Lexington PD, Lexington E911 as a PD Dispatcher and Fire Dispatch Supervisor. Charlie had a public safety heart, a servant leader. Charlie left everyone he came in contact better! Charlie was a music enthusiast and adventurous! Whether he was running, bicycling, riding in his convertible, motorcycling, or flying his Cessna he loved the feeling of the wind. He loved feeling free! Our 5K was founded In honor of Charlies legacy in public safety.
This is the inaugural race! We plan to make this bigger and better in the years to come. Fly high Charlie O' ---- Freebird!
RACE LOGO COMING SOON!
Races
-
5K Run/Walk
Incl. $3.25 Fee & T-Shirt (Tie-Dye)
Sat 13th September 2025 (8:00AM EDT)
$33.25
A competitive, timed 5K (3.1 miles) on paved trail surfaces (Legacy Trail). Awards for Top 3 M/F Overall and age groups. Commemorative race shirt included with registration. -
1 Mile Fun Walk
Incl. $3.25 Fee & T-Shirt (Tie-Dye)
Sat 13th September 2025 (8:02AM EDT)
$28.25
An untimed 1-mile fun walk to support our cause. There are no awards for this event. Commemorative race T-shirt included with registration. -
Virtual Runner/Walker
Incl. $3.25 Fee & T-Shirt (Tie-Dye)
$33.25
If you can't run/walk the race in person, consider signing up as a virtual runner/walker. For a $30 donation to our cause, you can run/walk your own Freebird 5K on your own schedule and in your own hometown. We'll mail or coordinate delivery of your commemorative race T-shirt. -
Race Volunteer
Incl. T-Shirt (Tie-Dye)
Sat 13th September 2025 (6:30AM EDT)
Free
We need 8-10 volunteers to work a race day shift from 6:30-10:00am to make this race great. Volunteers will earn a commemorative race T-shirt for working a full shift.
Freebird 5K
