About Blue Heron 5K
Join Excelsior Running Club for our third annual road 5k around Blue Heron Lake! The 5K is part of the Pacific Association-USA Track & Field (PA USAT&F) Road Short Course Grand Prix Series. The rolling course runs through Golden Gate Park. The event is open to the entire running community and will include an elite field and prize money.
The race welcomes runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. PAUSATF membership is required for prize money payouts. Be aware that headphone use during the race is not allowed for USATF athletes per competition rules. Officials will disqualify any USATF athletes wearing headphones from prizes or Grand Prix scoring. This rule does not apply to all other race participants but we do ask that everybody exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings if they choose to wear headphones during the race. Strollers MUST start at the back and be careful not to impede other participants.
Event Details
When: Saturday, July 4th 2026 @ 8:00 AM.
Where: Start is on JFK @ Peacock Meadow, Golden Gate Park
What: 5k race timed by Ford Timing
Bathroom Access: Portable Bathrooms will be available in Peacock Meadows. There are 6 public restrooms within the area: at the tennis court near the start line (50 Bowling Green Dr), at the conservatory of flowers, at the carousel/playground (300 Bowling Green Dr), at the baseball fields (25-29 Nancy Pelosi Dr), at the Beer and Wine Garden (700 JFK Dr), and at Blue Heron Lake across from the Boat House.
The Course: Along JFK, loop around Blue Heron Lake, and back to Peacock Meadows! There is 135ft of elevation gained. See course map in the Location & Maps tab.
Registration Fees
SUPER EARLY: through April 30th: $50 (+ service fee)
EARLY: May 1st through May 31st: $55 (+ service fee)
REGULAR: June 1st through July 3rd: $60 (+ service fee)
RACE DAY: $65 (+ service fee) via card, cash and checks are also accepted
U18 Admission: $30 (+ service fee)
Parent-Child Admission: $80 (+ service fee)
**if you want to register a family of participants, please send us a message via the Contact button
All entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. Transfers are subject to a $5 administrative fee.
Race Day Parking & Tent Set-Up
Street parking will be available along Nancy Pelosi Drive and Bowling Green Drive. If your club wants to set up a tent, please notify the race director at paulalexatienza@gmail.com, so we can include your tent set up in the permit process. It will not cost your club any additional fees.
Event Schedule
6:30-7:50 AM | Race Day Bib Pick-Up
8:00 AM | Race Starts
9:00 AM | Event Ends
Prize Money
Non-Binary Athletes: 1st, $250; 2nd $135, and 3rd $50 via check.
This race will have $2900 in prize money for USATF PA athletes and clubs. Plus, additional $1,450 to be split between the top 3 open men and women, top masters, and top open teams.
Photography Credits
Photography: @lindseysinghavi.photography, @milesperdonut
\n\nStart time: 08:00 AM\n\nConfirmation: aFnvXRBRiN\n\nMore info: https://www.movemint.cc/events/blue_heron_5k_2026 STATUS:CONFIRMED END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR