Event Name: Average Joe 5K
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida

Why Being Average Became the Ultimate Goal

You're at a 5K where coming in dead last could actually be better than winning first place. Sounds crazy, right? Well, that's exactly what happened at the Average Joe Run 5K! This wasn't your typical "may the fastest runner win" kind of race. Nope – this was "The World's Easiest 5K" where finishing smack dab in the middle made you the champion!

On Saturday, May 24th, 2025, hundreds of runners and walkers gathered at John Prince Park in Lake Worth, FL at 7:30 a.m. for something totally different. Instead of everyone trying to be the fastest, people were actually strategizing about how to be perfectly... average. Finally, a sport where all those participation trophies from childhood actually made sense!

The Heart-Pounding Hunt for Perfect Mediocrity

Okay, so here's where things got really interesting. You know that feeling when you're watching a close game and you have no idea who's going to win? That's what this entire race felt like – except instead of cheering for the fastest runners, everyone was on the edge of their seats wondering who would nail that perfect middle finish time.

The whole crowd was buzzing with excitement as athletes tried to figure out if they were running too fast, too slow, or hitting that sweet spot of "just right." Can you imagine the mental gymnastics? "Should I speed up? Slow down? Am I being too average or not average enough?" It was like a real-life strategy game!

And when those Average Joe and Average Jane winners finally crossed the finish line? The crowd applauded! These middle finishers didn't just get a pat on the back either – they scored special medals that honestly looked way cooler than most first-place trophies we've seen.

Not One, Not Two, But Three Ways to Claim Glory

Here's what made this race so brilliant – they basically tripled everyone's chances of winning something. Think about it: most races have one winner per category, maybe two if you're lucky. But the Average Joe Run? They rolled out the red carpet for everyone.

First, you had your traditional speedsters competing for Overall Winners (top 3 men and women – because hey, fast people deserve love too). Then came the real stars of the show: the Average Joe & Average Jane winners who mastered the fine art of perfect mediocrity. And if that wasn't enough, they also crowned Age Group Winners in every division, including – you guessed it – more Average Joe & Average Jane titles within each age group.

So whether you were a marathon veteran, a weekend warrior, or someone who decided to walk the whole thing while chatting with friends (and maybe taking a few selfies), you actually had a legitimate shot at taking home some hardware. When's the last time you could say that about a race?

Bright Blue and Pink: The Colors That Screamed Fun

Let's talk about those race shirts for a hot minute – because wow! Forget your boring, forgettable race tees that end up as sleep shirts. The Average Joe Run went all-out with a bright blue and pink color combo that you could probably spot from space.

We're talking eye-popping, Instagram-worthy, "where-did-you-get-that-shirt" kind of vibrant. The moment you saw someone wearing these colors around town, you knew they'd been part of something special. It was like wearing a badge of honor that said, "Yeah, I was at that awesome race where being average was actually the goal!" (Try explaining that one to your non-runner friends.)

Every participant walked away with a complete race packet: bib, custom medal, race certificate, and of course, that show-stopping shirt. The bright blue and pink weren't just random color choices either – they perfectly captured the whole vibe of the event. Fun, energetic, unapologetically bold, and totally different from every other race out there.

From Dawn to Donuts: Your Epic Race Day Journey

Race day started early, but in the best possible way. Rolling up to John Prince Park at 6:15 a.m. for packet pickup, instead of the usual pre-race jitters, there was this amazing energy in the air. Music was pumping by 6:30, and everyone was actually smiling – not grimacing like they were about to run for their lives.

The group warm-up was led by DJ Pete who clearly got the memo about keeping things fun rather than intimidating. Then came the national anthem at 7:25, and by 7:30, everyone was off and running (or walking, or skipping – whatever floated their boat).

The course itself was gorgeous, winding through John Prince Park with two water stations keeping everyone hydrated. But here's where things got really good – the finish line. We're talking unlimited donuts, people. Not one. Not two. UNLIMITED. Plus fresh coffee and water for everyone who crossed that line.

The entire event was beautifully captured, and we were glad to have the opportunity to photograph this event for Victory Sports Management. Our shots perfectly documented every moment from the starting line energy to those triumphant finish line celebrations. It's amazing how having great photography can really capture what makes a race special – something any race director will tell you makes all the difference in showing off the vibe of their event.

And can we just say – whoever decided that 5K finishers deserve donuts is a genius? It's like they finally answered the age-old question: "What's the perfect reward after burning a few hundred calories?" The answer, apparently, is delicious baked goods, and we're totally here for it. Some people train for months to shave seconds off their PR; these folks just had to pace themselves perfectly to earn a glazed donut. Talk about different goals!

This Amazing 364 Pound Weight Loss Story Amazed Us!

One conversation that really stuck with us after the race was with Stephanie Daza (runner 443), whose incredible transformation perfectly captures what the Average Joe 5K is all about. Stephanie's journey started at 557 pounds, and while her gastric bypass surgery in 2014 helped her lose 150 pounds, that was just the beginning of an amazing 364-pound weight loss journey. After years of trying different diets following the surgery, she finally decided to focus on exercise last year, starting with a structured home platform and natural supplements to help with inflammation and her digestive system. This January, she took the big step of adding jogging to her routine, with an ambitious goal of running a 10K by the end of the year by completing at least one 5K each month. What struck us most was her perspective on the surgery – she doesn't see it as an easy way out, but rather as a jumpstart that took over 10 years to fully understand. "It took me that long to finally realize I needed to learn how to eat properly and actually exercise," she shared with us. The surgery may have given her that initial 150-pound loss, but the additional 214 pounds she's lost since then? That's all her determination, hard work, and commitment to changing her life. Seeing her cross that finish line in her bright blue and pink shirt, you could tell this wasn't just about completing a race – it was about proving to herself that all that patience and dedication was paying off. Stories like Stephanie's remind us why we love photographing events like this, where every runner has their own incredible victory to celebrate.

Where Donuts Met Dreams and Everyone Won

By the time the award ceremony rolled around at 8:45 a.m., the whole place was buzzing with this incredible energy. You had your traditional fast finishers getting their well-deserved recognition, but the real crowd-pleasers were definitely those Average Joe and Jane champions. Watching people celebrate finishing in the middle was honestly one of the coolest things we've ever seen at a race.

The Average Joe Run series continues to host these innovative races throughout Florida, proving there's real demand for events that focus on inclusivity, fun, and community building rather than pure speed. It's a refreshing alternative to traditional competitive racing formats, and judging by the turnout and smiles in West Palm Beach, they're definitely onto something special.

And let's be real – walking away with a donut (or three) in one hand and a medal in the other while wearing that awesome bright blue and pink shirt? That's what we call a perfect Saturday morning. Plus, you finally have an answer for when people ask about your race time: "Well, I wasn't first, I wasn't last, but I was perfectly, mathematically average – and I've got the trophy to prove it!"

Events like this showcase exactly how creative race formats can attract diverse participants and create truly memorable experiences. The Average Joe Run figured out something that a lot of other races miss: sometimes the best competition is the one where everybody gets to have a blast. And if that blast happens to involve unlimited donuts? Even better.

Find the complete set of race results at Victory Sports Management.