Say No To Drugs Holiday Classic

Come join us for the 34th Annual Say No To Drugs Holiday Classic at the beautiful Coachman Park on Saturday, January 4th, 2025.

Fresh-from-scratch pancakes!

Finisher medals!

Awesome shirts!

1-mile kids race, plus kid-friendly 5K and 10K out-and-back over the beautiful Memorial Causeway Bridge!  

Race starts and finishes at Coachman Park, over the bridge and back.   The 1 mile kids race will circle Coachman Park with lots of race marshals for your kids safety.

Lots and lots of free raffle giveaways at the post-race expo as usual.

Everyone knows someone who has had their lives affected or even devastated because of drugs or alcohol abuse. More specifically, due to the use of illegal drugs or the abuse or misuse of prescription drugs.  The mission of the Say No To Drugs race is to raise awareness and education about this to as many people as possible, while offering an alternative which is to go for a run, get in shape, run a race and connect with positive, like-minded people.  

Many times the reason people resort to drugs is because of an emotional problem, upset or situation in their life. As runners and athletes, we know that going for a run, being active and eating healthy can be very beneficial and are a much better solution than drugs. So let's spread that message, while educating people about the true, harmful effects that drugs can have on a person's life.

Financial support for the race comes only from local businesses as well as from race entry fees.  After race expenses are paid, available proceeds go to local charities and children’s organizations.  No monies related to the Say No To Drugs race go to or from political or religious organizations.

Charitable donations are given annually to organizations such as the Boy Scouts (Council & Troops), Girl Scouts (Council & Troops), Challenged Athletes Foundation, Police Athletic League and others.  Our hope is that with the help of our financial contribution, that these groups and others, can help further their goals to help as many people as they can.

History: 35 years ago, this race was started by local resident and elite runner Sandra Johnson. She wanted to follow along with Nancy Reagan’s slogan of “Just Say No”. A few years later, some local Clearwater residents (all non-paid volunteers) took over the organizing of the 501(c)3 charity race and continues to this day with the help of hundreds of volunteers and wonderful people