Pictures: Watermelon 5K in Winter Park

Thousands of participants gather at the start of the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Runners stretch before the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Girl gets ready to cheer on her dad during the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Runners take off for the start during the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

A runner dressed as George Washington begins the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Racer takes off for the start during the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

First place runner Garrett Drogosch crosses the finish line during the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Supporters cheer for the participants during the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

An Osceola Fireman running in uniform reaches the finish line during the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Runners grab their watermelon after finishing the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Runners take a photo as they reach the finish line during the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Runners fill Park Ave after finishing the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

A runner with an American flag and bald eagle on her hat before the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

A runner smiles with her watermelon after finishing the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Girl smiles for a photo in her red, white and blue sparkles and USA headband during the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

A group of runners in matching shirts before the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Runners compete in a close race during the Kids Run of the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Watermelon eating contest participant Shay makes a worried face before the competition begins during the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Competitors, left to right, Shay, Jack, and winner Ethan, during the watermelon eating contest at the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

2nd place winner of the watermelon eating contest Mia smiles while competing during the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Jack, left, congratulates Ethan on first place of the watermelon eating contest during the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Runners take a photo with Uncle Sam on stilts during the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

First place female runner Avery Latto, right, shakes hands with Track Shack Co-Owner Betsy Hughs during the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

The first females to finish the race, from left to right, Jill Greer, Avery Latto and Abigail Buffington, pose for a photo at the award ceremony during the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Runner and military veteran reveals he is the winner of the Military Staycation from Rosen Hotels during the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)

Runners pose for a photo after completing the Watermelon 5K at Central Park in Winter Park, FL, on Saturday morning, July 4, 2026. Thousands gathered to celebrate Independence Day and participate in the race. (Barrett Walsh/Orlando Sentinel)