MedZou Ophthalmology Annual 5K

Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 10:00 AM CDT

Location: Columbia, MO; 2500 Chapel Hill Rd, 65203
Featured distance: 3.1 Miles
Type: RUN

At a glance

Run or walk a scenic 5K at Twin Lakes to support MedZou's free clinic, then enjoy games and food with family and friends.

Fun
Scenic
Festive
For a Cause

Who it's for

Beginner Friendly
For a Cause

Great for: beginners, cause-driven runners

Less ideal for: pure PR-chasing on a bare course

Join the MedZou Ophthalmology Annual 5K, a community run/walk supporting MedZou’s free clinic for underserved patients in Columbia, Missouri. This event welcomes all, including kids, pets, and families, for a morning of movement and community spirit. The scenic course winds through Twin Lakes Recreation Area, offering lovely views alongside Twin Lakes Fishing Lake and Hinkson Creek. After your run or walk, enjoy refreshments, games, and local food trucks, making for a truly engaging experience that gives back to the community.

What to expect

Enjoy a scenic course around Twin Lakes Fishing Lake and Hinkson Creek.
A water station will be available around the halfway point.
Stay after the race for refreshments, games, and food trucks. Kids, pets, and families are welcome.

Standout details

Supports MedZou free clinic
Scenic course by Twin Lakes and Hinkson Creek
Family and pet-friendly event
Post-race games and food trucks

Perks & features

Food & Drink
Shirt

From the public listing — confirm on the official site.

Auto-drafted from the public listing — confirm details on the official event page before signing up.

The course

Rolling
Timed race

Vibe Check

Easygoing

5K distance, rolling area, typically mild weather

Rolling area

Based on typical seasonal and area patterns — not a course map or official forecast.

From the organizer

The Annual Mizzou Ophthalmology 5K Run/Walk will be hosted by the University of Missouri’s Ophthalmology Department to support MedZou’s free clinic for underserved patients in Columbia, Missouri. The event is set to take place at Twin Lakes Recreation Area at the Twin Lakes Shelter on Sunday, April 18th, at 10:00 am. Participants are encouraged to arrive by 9:30 am for check-in . Following the race, participants are invited to stay for refreshments. Kids, pets, families are encouraged to attend! There will be games, food trucks, and more!

Event Purpose: To raise funds for MedZou Community Health Clinic, which provides essential care to underserved populations in the Columbia area.

Registration Details: Please register online by March 31st to reserve an official race t-shirt for the event. After this date, registration will still be available, but will not guarantee a race t-shirt.

T-Shirt Pickup: Friday, April 10th, from 2:00-5:00 pm at the PCCLC Health Science Library. Or on the day of the race, April 18th, from 9:30-9:45 am.

Donations : If you are unable to participate in the Run/Walk but would like to contribute, please click the "Donate" tab at the top of the website to make your contribution to Mizzou Ophthalmology’s MedZou fundraiser!

Course Information: This scenic course will begin at County House Trail, along side Twin Lakes Fishing Lake and Hinkson Creek. At the ~1.5-mile marker, there will be a water station followed by a loop around the 3M Flat Branch-Hinkson Creek Wetlands. This will return to the water station with the final stretch across a section of MKT Trail and back around the lake.

Thank you for your support in helping us bring care to those who need it most!

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