_In Monroe County, Florida, First Responders Week is proclaimed annually, typically in early January, to honor the service of law enforcement officers including correctional officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, FWC officers, and dispatchers. In 2024, the week was proclaimed for January 8-12.
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_THE "SAVE OUR FIRST RESPONDERS 5K" RUN/WALK IN KEY WEST TAKES PLACE DURING FIRST RESPONDERS WEEK, ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 10TH, TO SUPPORT THESE ESSENTIAL FRONTLINE HEROES. _

_SIGN UP TODAY AND RUN, RUN/WALK OR JUST WALK WITH US TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND HELP RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING FIRST RESPONDERS IN DISTRESS. _

WHO:

The Save Our First Responders 5K is open to the public and all ages (Parents please run or walk with your little ones).

The main event of this race is the "SUPER EIGHT" which consists of eight teams of Florida first responders competing in Key West, Florida for the 1st place team trophies, gold medals in the first inaugural Save Our First Responders 5K.

The eight teams of Florida first responders that make up the SUPER EIGHT competing for the _Alioht Valdes-Marrero Perpetual 1st Place Team Trophy_, individual first place team trophies and first place team gold medals are: 1) 911 dispatchers, 2) correctional officers, 3) correctional probation officers, 4) crime scene investigators, 5) EMTs & paramedics, 6) firefighters, 7) law enforcement officers, and 8) USA armed forces.

While the primary focus of this event is supporting our first responders, we must also remember to give great thanks and appreciation for our everyday heroes including teachers, security guards, members of the clergy, power linemen, and public works employees so therefore we have created race groups to recognize our everyday heroes as well.

WHAT:

Join us in running, run/walking or just walking three scenic laps of the Truman Waterfront Park (5k) near the Coast Guard Cutter Ingham. We will have refreshments and a raffle after the event and there will be plenty of opportunities for scenic waterfront picture taking, celebrating and first responder camaraderie.

WHEN:

Saturday morning January 10th, 2026 from 7:00 - 11:00 AM

WHERE:

In Key West, Florida at the Truman Waterfront Park near the Coast Guard Cutter Ingham

WHY:

First responders often face significant mental health challenges due to the nature of their work, which exposes them to traumatic events and high levels of stress. These challenges can lead to conditions like PTSD, PTSI, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and suicidal ideation. Factors contributing to these issues include exposure to death, grief, and suffering, demanding schedules, and a lack of resources or support.

HOW:

Please support our first responders by signing up today to participate in the first inaugural Save Our First Responders 5K Run/Walk and help raise awareness to these critically important issues that our first responders who selflessly put their lives on the line for us daily are dealing with. These issues affecting our first responders are a local, statewide, national and even global level one priority concern. Help is available and in this family no one fights alone!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Pre-registration and race packet pickup will be held on Friday, January 9th from 1700-1900 at Fit2Run [https://www.fit2run.com/] The Runners Superstore located at 211 Duval Street.

YOU WILL ALSO BE ABLE REGISTER AND PICK UP YOUR RACE PACKETS ON SATURDAY MORNING THE DAY OF THE RACE AT THE TRUMAN WATERFRONT FROM 0600-0730.

The Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride takes place Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 in the Upper and Middle Keys and Saturday, Jan. 10 in Key West. Race participants are encouraged to cheer on and support the warriors and join them after the Save Our First Responders 5K for the community ride on Saturday in Key West.

Bishop Jonathan Carey of Glad Tidings Tabernacle [https://gttkeywest.org/] in Key West will open and close the race in prayer for the wellbeing of all first responders.

FIRST 100 ENTRANTS RECEIVE A FREE T-SHIRT!

MEDALS AWARDED TO: GOLD, SILVER, AND BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS OF SUPER EIGHT CHALLENGE (TOP 5 RUNNERS IN TOP 3 FIRST RESPONDER TEAMS), OVERALL TOP 2 M & F WINNERS IN BOTH THE RUN/WALK AND WALK CATEGORIES, OVERALL TOP 2 MASTERS (AGE 40+) M & F WINNERS IN BOTH THE RUN/WALK AND WALK CATEGORIES, TOP 3 M & F WINNERS IN EACH 10 YEAR AGE GROUP IN BOTH THE RUN/WALK AND WALK CATEGORIES, AND ALL PARTICIPANTS THAT COMPLETE THE 5K RECEIVE A FINISHER MEDAL.

Save Our First Responders exists to support all first responders.

Save Our First Responders is a program of The Florida Correctional Officers Association, Inc.

Membership fees and donations paid to The Florida Correctional Officers Association, Inc. (FLCOA) are now tax deductible because FLCOA has been granted 501(C)(3) status as a public charity. Please consider becoming a member or donating to The Florida Correctional Officers Association, Inc. today.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT: https://flcos.org/membership

Thank you and may God bless and protect us all!