This is my 4th year running the Watermelon 5k in Winter Park, Florida. This year, it was actually sponsored by Florida Hospital, and not Hunter Vision which is a change from previous years.

Watermelon 5k is always well put on, as Track Shack Race Management truly is the best. The race has plenty of volunteers who truly are the greatest, and some awesome ice-cold watermelon to enjoy after you finish running 3.1 miles.

The race begins on Park Avenue and goes down New York Ave through to Pennsylvania Ave, back to Park Ave, then off to Interlachen Ave, finishing right on Wellborne. It gives you a nice 3 mile "tour" of beautiful Winter Park.

I always run this fun 5k with my running friends and even though it's a hot and sweaty one, i have a great time. We lucked out this year in that while it was humid, the sun didn't come out until right when we were head across that finish line.

This isn't a timed race, as all of the Track Shack holiday races are for fun. You can come out and run, run/walk, or walk the event, whatever you'd like. Track Shack and the City of Winter Park encourages everyone to be able to complete the race within an hour, as the roads will begin to reopen not long after that time.

If you're in Central Florida and looking for a fun 4th of July running event, this is definitely one to put on your list to come out and do!