Name: Fourteenth Annual New Year's Day 5k/1 mile Fun Run/Walk
Start: 2026-01-01T12:00:00-08:00
End: 2026-01-01T13:30:00-08:00
Location: Howard Amon Park

$Fourteenth Annual New Year's Day 5k\/1 mile Fun Run\/Walk$

Another year, another chance to start with some fresh air and exercise! Fourteen years ago I was just getting serious about running and invited a few friends to join me on New Year's Day. The group has grown quite a bit since then with attendance each year now well over 100 people.
Join us at noon on January 1st for a fun run or walk. We will meet at the circle at the end of Lee Blvd in Howard Amon Park in Richland at noon. Run for a 5k (3.1 miles), run at your own pace, or just walk and enjoy the company. You are welcome to just walk or run a mile if you don't want to go as far, or just hang out with new and old friends.
Bring your dog if you like. In the past we have walkers, runners, and dogs.
This is a public event open to anyone. There is no cost and no registration required. It's not sponsored or organized by any formal group, just something I want to do for the community.
(That means it's at your own risk, not sponsored by me or any formal running group. 🙂 )
The run/walk route will go north along the run/walk path for 1.55 miles just past the parking lot north of Hains Ave., and then back to the starting point (total of 3.1 miles). We will have a sign at the turnaround. If you don't want to go that far, you can turn around at the half mile point for a mile walk or run. There are marks every 1/2 mile on the path (if they aren't covered by snow) and I'll have a sign at the 0.5 mile (for the 1 mile) and 1.55 mile (for the 5k) turnaround points.
Hope you can join us! We have a great group each year and this event keeps growing. Great way to start that C25K program you've been thinking about! No pressure, no time, just a way to start off the year with some fresh (even if cold) air and activity with friends.
Many thanks to Richland Parks and Recreation for maintaining our wonderful city parks!
Although this isn't an organized charity event, I encourage those of you who have the means to do so to donate to a local charity that helps those in need. Resources like the local food bank or organizations that help those who are unhoused would be good suggestions.