The SunSmart 5K took place in the peaceful beauty of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne. It's not just a run—it’s a way to help save lives! This special event focuses on teaching people about skin cancer and how to prevent it. Every year, it brings together a love for health, learning, and community.

A Scenic and Meaningful Venue

Key Biscayne, with its stunning beauty and history shaped by ancient coral reefs and the Atlantic’s steady waves, is the perfect place for the SunSmart 5K. The island’s strength is a great match for the event’s mission to spread sun safety and save lives. Coolibar and the SunSmart 5K share a promise to support health, staying active, and keeping future adventures safe under the sun. At Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, located at 1200 South Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne, FL 33149, participants walk or run along paths steeped in history and framed by nature’s enduring beauty, making every step a reminder of the power of preservation and action.

A Legacy of Vision and Passion

Founded in 2010 by University of Miami medical students Monika Freiser and Joseph Kaplan, the SunSmart 5K is a story of passion turned into action. Inspired by personal experiences and a shared goal of bringing health education to the forefront, Monika and Joe created a nonprofit event that combines the joy of movement with life-saving education and screenings. SunSmart 5K mission, guided by a passion for sun safety and heart health, led to an event that continues to inspire future generations.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of medical students, dermatologists, and volunteers, the SunSmart 5K stands as a vital cornerstone of the South Florida community. Each year, the money raised helps support important skin cancer research at the University of Miami’s Dr. Philip Frost Department of Dermatology and Sylvester Cancer Center. This keeps the fight against skin cancer going strong.

Education and Impact: A Shared Mission

The SunSmart 5K is more than just a race—it's a movement centered on education and proactive sun safety. Participants not only lace up their shoes for a great cause but also gain vital knowledge about skin cancer prevention. With hands-on demonstrations on sunscreen application, expert advice, and complimentary skin cancer screenings provided by University of Miami dermatologists, the event goes beyond awareness—it saves lives. Screenings often result in early diagnoses that can be life changing highlighting the SunSmart 5K.

Coolibar, a global leader in UPF 50+ sun-protective clothing, proudly partners with the SunSmart 5K to amplify its mission. Dedicated to protecting people from harmful UV exposure, Coolibar provides innovative apparel that allows individuals to stay active and shielded from the sun. As a natural ally to the event, Coolibar not only raises awareness about UV risks but also reinforces the importance of year-round sun safety. 

Together, the SunSmart 5K and Coolibar inspire meaningful action, proving that small steps—like a race or wearing sun-protective clothing—can make a big difference in the fight against skin cancer.

Sun Protection Tips for Runners

No matter how fast you run, you can’t escape the sun! Runners spend a lot of time outside while training or competing. The sun’s UV rays come at you from all directions—bouncing off the track, road, and anything around you, as well as shining straight down from above. This exposure increases the risk of skin cancer, making good sun protection essential year-round—even on overcast days or during low UV periods.

Here are five tips to help you Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, and Slide your way across the finish line:

1. Cover up exposed skin
   • SLIP on clothing that covers as much skin as possible while remaining comfortable. If you can see skin, UV can reach it. Densely woven, loose-fitting clothing or running gear labeled UPF 50 is ideal for blocking UV.
2. Apply sunscreen correctly and frequently
   • SLOP on SPF50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen to any skin not covered by clothing. Apply it at least 20 minutes before heading out, and reapply every two hours—or more frequently if you’re sweating. Hydration breaks or shady parts of the route are perfect opportunities for reapplication.
3. Protect your face, neck, and ears
   • SLAP on a legionnaire hat or a cap with a peak and long flap for the best protection. Apply sunscreen vigilantly to your cheeks, chin, ears, and neck—areas particularly vulnerable during a run.
4. Avoid peak UV times
   • Run earlier in the morning or later in the day when UV levels are lower. SEEK shady running paths whenever possible and hydrate in the shade. Apps like the free SunSmart app can help you track UV levels and protection times.
5. Protect your eyes
   • SLIDE on sunglasses to shield your eyes from UV rays and glare. Choose wrap-around styles to protect from reflected light and irritants like dust and bugs.

These tips not only help you stay sun-safe during the SunSmart 5K but also encourage lifelong habits that protect your skin during every outdoor activity.

Why Join the SunSmart 5K?

The SunSmart 5K is more than an event—it’s a movement that inspires participants to take charge of their health while enjoying the camaraderie of their community. Whether running under the Florida sun or walking in the shade of Key Biscayne’s iconic lighthouse, every participant contributes to a future where skin cancer is caught early and prevented altogether.

If you can’t make it to this year’s SunSmart 5K, join us next year for another meaningful run. Alternatively, consider participating in February’s Miles for Melanoma 5K at the Miami Zoo, a run/walk that supports the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF). These events bring together melanoma patients, survivors, caregivers, and supporters to raise funds and awareness in their communities.

A Call to Action

At Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, the SunSmart 5K offers participants more than just breathtaking views, it provides an opportunity to support life saving skin cancer screenings.

 When people join together and make better choices like wearing sun-protective clothes, using sunscreen, and getting checked, they show how little steps can make a big difference. The SunSmart 5K is all about celebrating community, staying healthy, and working together to fight skin cancer—one step at a time!

Join the SunSmart 5K at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, 1200 South Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne, FL 33149, to honor this legacy, protect your health, and inspire others to do the same. Together, we can build a brighter, safer future under the sun.