Event Description
Sugar Sand Festival 5K and Kid’s Sand Dash on Clearwater Beach, FL, Benefiting CFY Pinellas, Run date: April 11, 2026, 9 a.m.
VIP Early entry available at 727CanRace.com Registration opens to the public February 1, 2026, at 10:01 am
All registration includes the highly desirable and very substantial 5K finisher's medal a perfect rendition of this year's logo "United in Sand" celebrating sport in 2026, the race t-shirt, one free ticket with each bib number to enter the 24 thousand square foot sand castle exhibition tent, a timed and scored 5K (no awards), and a goody bag packed with goodies from CFY!
Join us April 11th on Clearwater Beach, FL where we run/walk on the hard packed sand as we celebrate the Inaugural Sugar Sand 5K run/walk, benefiting the youth of Pinellas County through the work of CFY Pinellas on Saturday, April 11,2026, at 9 a.m. kicks off the final weekend of the globally acclaimed and internationally celebrated, Clearwater Beach Sugar Sand Festival. This is multi nation attended world class17 day springtime celebration held on Clearwater Beach, Florida at Pier 60. Registration for the run/walk is LIMITED and opens online February 8, 2026, at 10:01 a.m. EST at www.RunSignUp.com limited to 300 registrants to this 5K run/walk.
For 17 days Clearwater Beach will host the largest showcase of white sugar sand sculptures with over 1000 tons of sand used to complete this world renown event. Our 2026 theme “United In Sand” is iconic for the region in Florida where guests in sold out 5-star resorts and attendees by the day from around the globe will experience this year’s show highlighting teamwork in American pride, artistry and sports. Thus, making 2026 the perfect year to kick off the all-inclusive participatory Sugar Sand Inaugural 5K Run/walk and kids Dash open to all ages and levels of ability.
The 5K and kid’s dash will take place at Pier 60 on the hard packed sand at the shoreline against a background that can’t be found anywhere on the globe other and Clearwater Beach, Florida. Have your cameras ready as you are welcome to take them along with you as we begin the run/walk at 9 a.m.at Pier 60 in a north out and back run/walk course. The 2026 Sugar Sand Festival goes from March 27, 2026, and ends the evening of April 12, 2026. This makes our April 11th 5K ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE medals to own.
Throughout the 17 days of Sugar Sand Festival, we’ll have some of the best live music on the main stage, performers around the venue, and fireworks at Sunsets at Pier 60. The names still being announced to perform will draw people from all over the state, as we benefit the children and sports programs through CFY Pinellas.
Registration is available ONLY on RunSIgnUp and opens online February 8, 2026, at 10:01 am. Included in your 5K registration is the 5 inch finisher’s medal which is the “United In Sand” sports themed logo, your event t-shirt, one free ticket into the 24,000 square foot artist’s sculpture tent exhibit, and a goody bag stuffed by CFY Pinellas who use every dollar they raise in sponsorship dollars for the youth of Pinellas County through its 3 Pillars of Giving, Athletics, Education and Water Safety.
ONLY 300 registrations will be accepted into the 2026 5K so set your alarm as registration will sell out quickly.
Timeline:
8:10 a.m. participant check in opens in front of Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach, 1 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater, Florida 33767. There is NO race day registration as this event is open to the first 300 registrants through our registration portal at www.RunSignUp.com which opens on February 1, 2026, at 10:01 a.m.
9:00 a.m. Kid’s Dash ages 0-12 (children are called the starting line by size and take part in a race designed especially for them) the children are never out of sight from parents/guardian
9:15 a.m. The run/walk 5K is called to the starting line for the national anthem and the run begins. This race is electronically timed with AMAZING 5-inch finisher’s medal, and event t-shirt, however, non-competitive in nature in our direct attempt to attract all levels of age and ability to participate. No awards will be presented but a great celebration will take place at 10 a.m. to acknowledge ALL runners at the main tent.
10:00 a.m. Exhibit tent is open to the runners and to the public to view this amazing United in Sand Exhibit exclusive to Clearwater Beach, April 11, 2026!
About Clearwater For Youth/CFY Pinellas: Established in 1972, CFY proudly supports youth athletics programs and organizations, reaching over 17,000 Pinellas County youth annually and expanding. Funding efforts are aimed at providing the children of Pinellas County the opportunity to participate in their chosen activity unhindered by costs. CFY’s Endowment allows that every dollar that is donated goes 100% to supporting a child. CFY continues to grow as we focus on three core areas: Youth Athletics Grants, Education and Water Safety. For more information, please visit our website at www.cfypinellas.org.
