Scrub Jay Races

The Scrub Jay Races take place at Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey, Florida. The event offers in-person and virtual options with multiple course types and logistics centered near the Nature Center at Lake Osprey for parking, packet pick up, starts, finish and post race activities.

Distances contested include:

• 5K on a road-friendly course with some hard packed and prepared surfaces
• Scramble 10K fully on trails with technical terrain and sugar sand
• Virtual Scrub Jay 5K
• Virtual Scrub Jay 10K

The Scrub Jay 5K follows a mostly firm surface but includes bumps, tree roots, a section on the Green Trail with roots and ruts, and about 400 meters of sugar sand near the end. The Scramble 10K is a technical trail course that uses recently created trails, pedestrian underpasses and overpasses, and sections of sugar sand; it goes deep into park habitat and includes areas under restoration.

Dogs and strollers are prohibited on the courses. The in-person 5K and 10K use a gun start and a chip timed finish with no timing mats at the starts; results are available on site and can be texted or emailed to participants who opt in. Registration includes a custom finisher medal for all finishers, a custom race shirt while supplies last, and a post-race offering of hot dogs, veggie dogs on request, fruit and snacks.

Awards are given overall and by age categories including Masters, Grandmasters, Senior Grandmasters, Veteran Grandmasters and Youth Overall, with specific age group breakdowns for each race. Registration discounts are available for young runners and members of Friends of Oscar Scherer Park and qualifying local clubs. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.