8th Annual HOPE FOREVER 5K

Graywood Neighborhood Park, Lake Charles LA

Saturday, April 12th, 2025

🏃‍♂️ Event Overview

Join us for the 8th Annual Holden's Hope Forever Race, where every step you take contributes to a meaningful cause!

The Hope Forever 5K Race is a heartfelt gathering that honors the memory of precious lives while uniting our community in compassion and resilience. We invite you to get involved by sponsoring the event or forming a fundraising team with your friends, family, or colleagues. Together, we can create a day filled with love, remembrance, and support. Your participation as a sponsor or team member not only celebrates the lives of those we’ve lost but also empowers families facing unimaginable challenges. Sign up today to be part of something truly special and make a lasting difference in our community!

Dedicated areas and tributes are woven throughout the race, creating a poignant atmosphere that honors the memory of precious babies. As you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, you’ll encounter heartfelt displays that remind us of the love and strength found in our shared experiences. These tributes unite our community in celebrating lives lived while providing unwavering support for families on their healing journeys. Your involvement will help keep these memories alive and foster hope and connection for those facing their own struggles. Together, we can make this event a powerful testament to love, support, and remembrance.

💰 Registration Fees

Combo Price: $35 Combo 5K & 1 Mile
5K Fee: $30 5 Kilometers
1 Mile Fee: $20 1 Mile
Virtual Run Fee: $40 Virtual Run/Walk either distance*

📝 Registration Notes

Eligibility: Virtual Run/Walk is intended for those who live out of town, sick and/or not able to join live: race times are not included in live race awards.
Fees: This race does not charge a late fee. Online registration ends Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 11:59PM. Race day registration will be available from 7:00AM - 7:45AM for those who missed online registration.
Stroller Policy: NO RACING FEE IS COLLECTED FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE PUSHED IN STROLLERS.
Refund Policy: We have a No Refund policy so please consider your registration a donation. In inclement weather, we will hold back start times for racing: i.e. waiting for the thunder to clear out. However, we hold race day rain or shine, and we will run in the rain! *Information regarding weather affecting race day will be communicated to all race participants, via email and text.

📅 Race Day Schedule

7:00AM: Packet pickup and Race day registration opens
7:30AM: Opening Ceremony + Warm Up
7:45AM: Packet pickup and Race day registration closes
8:00AM: 1 Mile Race Starts
8:30AM: 5K Race Starts
10:30AM: Awards
11:30AM: Closing + Memorial Tribute Presentation

🏆 Awards

Team Awards: Largest Team - plaque
Team T-shirt: Best Team T-shirt design - trophy*
Fundraising Award: Team Fundraising Award - please see fundraising benefits page for more info.
Individual Awards: 5 Kilometers Race awards for Overall Male & Female, Overall Masters, Overall Grand Masters, and top finishers in age groups.

👕 T-shirts

Short sleeved performance shirts are provided to registered participants. Shirts are guaranteed to those participants who registered prior to Friday, March 28, 2025.

Shirts may be purchased without registration for $13 through March 27, 2025. Click Store to purchase an additional shirt.

Shirts will be sold on race day, with inventory available on a first come, first serve basis.

🤝 Fundraising Teams + Individual Fundraisers

Raising additional funds for this worthy cause as a team, individual, family or business corporate team!

Create a Team during your registration process.

🎉 Post-race Ceremony Activities

We encourage friends and family to donate, walk, or run to support angel parents as well as Holden's Hope. Even if you do not plan to physically walk or run in the race, with the purchase of a $5 wristband attendees of all ages can enjoy food, drinks, and post-race activities. Wristbands can be purchased the morning of the event or online.

📱 Social Media

Help us spread the word, raise awareness and build your team by tagging us on social media. Holden's Hope has a Facebook page. Also, use the hashtag #HopeForever2025 or #HoldensHopeForever2025 so that we can see and share your pictures!

🛒 Store Items

Purchase as a separate item here or during your registration.

Additional Race T-shirts: ($13 each) on race day, with inventory available as first come first served. You can also order additional shirts online by 3/31/24 to guarantee the size(s) needed.

💌 Race Tribute Signs

We are offering the option to purchase a tribute sign in memory of angel babies. Upon completion of your purchase, you will be contacted regarding details to design your tribute sign. The deadline to order is March 15, 2025.

Tribute signs are placed along the race routes. Only one tribute sign will be placed along the race route, but families are welcome to purchase more signs as they wish. Some families wish to hold or keep a sign.