Semper Fi 5k
About This Event
A History of the MCL/TEL Semper Fi 5K Charity Run for Children
The origin of the run was as a fundraiser for the children and families of the Marines and Sailors who had perished in the Marine Barracks Beirut, Lebanon terrorist bombing attack on October 23, 1983. Marine 1stLt Chris Holzworth, having recently reported to the Marine Air Training and Support Group-21 (MATSG-21), Naval Air Station Pensacola, for flight training, presented the idea for the charity run to the Commanding Officer, Colonel Robert “Bull” Bland, USMC. MATSG-21 adopted the idea and became the first sponsor of the event, initially named The Beirut Relief 10K Run. Colonel Bland assigned 1st Lt Chris Holzworth, who had initiated the idea, as the first Race Director.
NAS Pensacola hosted the first run on Armed Forces Day in May 1984 with Brigadier General Joseph Hoar, USMC representing Headquarters Marine Corps and receiving the proceeds of the race. Over 500 military and civilian runners participated in that first event which contributed over $4,000 for a Marine Corps Scholarship Fund established for the children of the families who had lost loved ones in the Beirut attack. The race continued for several years to be sponsored and executed by MATSG-21 with all proceeds going to the scholarship fund. Eventually, the command shifted the race proceeds to Non-Profit Children’s Organizations of the Greater Pensacola area in keeping with “the tradition of giving to the children.” Each year Semper Fi 5K runners are joined by local active-duty military units, such as MATSG-21/23, several Naval Aviation training squadrons, and local high school JROTC units who run the event in formation.
In 2014, because the military was heavily engaged in the Global War on Terror (GWOT), leadership for the race changed to the Marine Corps League (MCL), Cpl J. R. Spears Detachment 066. At the same time.
The race starts and finishes at Seville Quarter in Downtown Pensacola.
**Packet Pickup/Late Registration ** Friday November 6th | 3pm-6pm
Running Wild
3012 E Cervantes St Pensacola, FL 32503
Saturday November 7th Race Day 6:30 am-7:30 am
Seville Quarter
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Local Running Stores
Pensacola, Northwest Florida
Fit2Run at Cordova Mall brings the brand's specialty running experience to Northwest Florida's largest shopping center. Located in the Cordova Mall on North 9th Avenue, this store serves the Pensacola metro area with Fit2Run's signature complimentary video gait analysis and iStep barometric foot scanning — tools that help match each customer to the right shoe with precision. The store also offers on-site custom insole fabrication, a rare service that makes Cordova one of the more comprehensively equipped Fit2Run locations in the state. Customers can test footwear on the store's indoor track before committing to a pair — a feature that gives runners real feedback on feel and fit. Given Pensacola's strong military presence, Fit2Run Cordova offers a military and healthcare discount, making it a valued resource for the large active-duty and veteran running community in the area.
phone (850) 203-2774 language Visit WebsitePensacola, Northwest Florida
Fleet Feet Pensacola serves the Gulf Coast running community from its downtown location on West Garden Street, bringing the Fleet Feet brand's fit id® 3D scanning outfitting process to Northwest Florida. The store is part of a locally owned franchise that also operates a location in Mobile, Alabama — building community on both sides of the state line. Staff focus on injury prevention and recovery as much as performance, helping runners find footwear that addresses underlying foot issues rather than just matching preferences. The fit id® system measures foot length, width, arch height, and volume to generate precise shoe recommendations, a process that has made Fleet Feet a preferred stop for runners dealing with recurring problems. Fleet Feet Pensacola hosts regular group runs and training programs, and is a hub for the Northwest Florida running scene — connecting local runners with one another and with the broader Fleet Feet national network.
phone (850) 332-7723 language Visit WebsitePensacola, Northwest Florida
Running Wild is Pensacola's locally owned specialty running store, serving the Panhandle running community from its location on East Cervantes Street. The store's philosophy centers on fitting every customer to the proper shoe, apparel, and training for their unique needs — an approach that has earned it a loyal following among Pensacola runners from beginners to competitive athletes. The store carries a strong selection of road and trail running footwear from top brands including Brooks, Hoka, ASICS, and Altra, alongside technical apparel and accessories suited to Northwest Florida's varied running terrain — from flat coastal roads to the trails of Blackwater River State Forest. Running Wild is actively connected to the Pensacola running community through group runs and local race involvement, making it more than a retail destination — it's a gathering point for the region's runners.
phone (850) 435-9222 language Visit WebsiteSemper Fi 5k
November 7, 2026