Sun, Aug 23, 2026

Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk

Jackson, MI

Registration openAnnual since at least 2015

Entry is $30 now and rises to $35 after Aug 6, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk

The course runs through Ella Sharp Park, finishing in a parking lot in front of the museum there. The route has seen small adjustments, so the start and finish may not be exactly where returning runners expect. Proceeds go toward Special Olympics athletes in the Jackson area.

Packet pickup happens the afternoon before at the Special Olympics office in Jackson, with race-morning pickup available at the park as well. Dogs are not permitted on the course, service animals excepted.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

3.1 Miles · 2025 results

97finishers

17:39winner

28:55median

53:45cutoff

Top 3: Aaron Miller (17:39) · Zackery Ludtke (18:29) · Guy Gibson (18:35)

The Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk has been held every year since at least 2015. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 3.1 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

3.1 Miles8/23/2026 09:00$30

Kids Fun Run - FREE8/23/2026 10:00Free

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

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Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk

Will I finish last at the Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.1 Miles field finished slower than 28:55, and the last recorded finisher came in around 53:45, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk a good first 3.1 Miles?

It is a small race (97 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 3.1 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk?

The 3.1 Miles winner ran 17:39 while the median finisher took 28:55. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.