“Francis Bay Fives” 5K and 5-mile Registration Opens

July 6, 2026

On Sunday, Sept. 6, the St. John Landsharks will host the 5th Annual Francis Bay Fives running event, which features “runner’s choice” 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) and 5-mile races and a 500-yard beach dash for kids 8 and under.

Participants pose on Francis Bay Beach after completing 5K and 5-Mile fun runs
hosted by St. John Landshrks in 2025. (Source photo by Amara Stokes Gilbert)

The beach dash will start promptly at 7:45 a.m. The 5K and 5-mile races will start simultaneously at 8 a.m.

The courses begin and end by Francis Bay Beach and feature a variety of terrain, including trails, road and a finish on the beach. The 5-mile course includes a loop to Maho Bay. Course details will be posted to the Francis Bay Fives Road Races event page found on Facebook.

Registration is $10 and the event is limited to 100 participants total. Youth under 18 are free. Walkers are welcome to sign up for the 5K (3.1 mile) event. Participants are encouraged to carpool as parking is limited.

Registration is open until 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5. There will be no race-day registration. Sign up at: http://tinyurl.com/FB5-2026.

The 1st place male and female finishers for each course will receive a prize. Water and sports drink will be offered during and after the race. St. John Rescue will be onsite to monitor and provide support.

Roads will remain open to vehicles, but drivers may experience short delays on the North Shore Road one-way sections and in the vicinity of Francis Bay, Annaberg, and Maho Bay between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 6.

The Francis Bay Fives took place for the first time in 2018, replacing the Love City Triathlon & Aquathlon traditionally scheduled over Labor Day weekend. It was offered again in 2019, 2024 and 2025. The course record is 23:28 for the 5K and 34:38 for the 5-mile.

For questions and if you are interested in volunteering along the course, at the hydration station, or with timing at the finish line, please contact Mary at stjohnlandsharks@gmail.com.

St. John Landsharks is an informal local athletic club, focusing on swimming, biking, running, stand up paddleboarding, and anything else they feel like doing.