Need a Valentine’s plan that beats crowded restaurants and sugar crashes? Lace up for Constitution Park’s Family Fun Run—just a five-minute hop from your campsite—where heart-shaped medals, stroller-safe paths, and pup-friendly rules turn February 14 into a memory that moves.
Key Takeaways
The snapshot below delivers everything you need in one skim, from timing and cost to the sweet extras that turn a simple jog into a full-fledged Valentine’s memory. Scan it now, bookmark it for later, and you’ll spend race morning high-fiving instead of frantically Googling.
These at-a-glance points also help appease every traveler in your crew: the meticulous planner, the curious child, the carb-counting runner, and the fur-baby chaperone. Share the list over breakfast, pin it to your RV’s corkboard, and watch the collective stress melt away.
• What: Valentine’s Day Family Fun Run at Constitution Park in Port St. Joe
• When: February 14, 8:00 a.m. horn (kids dash 8:05); bad-weather back-up is Feb 15
• Course: Flat, smooth 5 K loop with shade, plus a 1-mile dash and easy walk path
• Who can join: Runners, walkers, kids, grandparents, strollers, scooters, and leashed dogs
• Cost: $25 adults, $10 kids; dogs free; money helps Gulf County school P.E. classes
• Parking: Big RV and car spots on Allen Memorial Way, one short block from start
• Sign-up: Online opens Jan 1; paper forms at Port St. Joe RV Resort; pick up bibs 7:00–7:45 a.m.
• Goodies: Heart-shaped medal for every runner, red T-shirts for early sign-ups
• Fun extras: Cookie decorating, make-your-own Valentine cards, photo wall, 3-legged dash, prize drawing
• Quick trip: Leave the RV at 7:00 a.m., run, and be back by 9:30 a.m. for the rest of your day.
Why keep reading?
• Find out how the flat, shady loop keeps both Grandma’s knees and your kid’s scooter happy 🚲
• See the quick-start parking map that gets your rig settled in under five minutes ⏱️
• Discover the post-race cookie-decorating zone that doubles as your Instagram gold 🍪❤️
• Learn the one registration tip that guarantees matching red tee shirts for the whole crew
Ready to swap roses for runner’s highs? Let’s dive in.
Fast Facts for Your Trip Planner
Port St. Joe’s Valentine’s Day Family Fun Run is penciled in for February 14 with an 8 a.m. horn, pending final city permit approval. That early start beats the heat, dodges morning traffic, and still lets digital nomads hit their 10 a.m. stand-ups. Expect three distance choices rolled into one morning: a 5K loop for runners, a one-mile dash for kids, and a walk-friendly option that welcomes grandparents, pups, or anyone whose watch cares more about steps than speed.
Terrain matters, especially when wheels or older knees are involved. Constitution Park’s paved loop sits almost pancake-flat, shaded by live oaks, and wide enough for a stroller lane plus a polite passing line. Parking follows the same “easy does it” theme: RV-sized spots stretch along Allen Memorial Way, and overflow room waits at the Constitution Convention Center a block east. Online pre-registration rings in at $25 for adults and $10 for kids, while leashed dogs trot free with a completed waiver. A slice of every entry fee heads straight to Gulf County Schools’ PE programs, a local cause you can verify at Gulf County Schools.
Why This Run Fits Every Traveler
Adventure-seeking parents get an all-terrain playground without leaving town. The 5K’s loop means nobody is stranded miles from the finish, and water tables appear every mile so kids can splash, sip, and keep going. Finish-line heart medals turn into instant show-and-tell trophies, making it easier to tuck the little ones into bed later—mission “tire them out” accomplished.
Active empty-nesters and snowbirds appreciate that “non-competitive” isn’t just a tagline. Volunteers high-five walkers, there’s a bench near mile 1.5 for any quick stretch, and the flat course spares the joints. Add mid-60s February temps and you have winter training weather Michiganders can only dream about. Digital nomads, meanwhile, thrive on efficiency: the entire event, door to door from Port St. Joe RV Resort, can wrap by 9:30 a.m.; that leaves just enough time to swap sneakers for slippers before the first video call. Local wellness families enjoy community bragging rights, showing visitors around their own backyard rather than fighting for parking at some tourist trap.
Inside the Course: What Your Feet Will Feel
Picture a gently curving, tree-lined path circling a small lake, start and finish tucked under the park’s wooden pavilion. The loop design means gear check, porta-potties, and photo backdrops sit in one convenient cluster, cutting down on “Where did Dad put the keys?” panic. Bright arrows pop up every quarter mile, and a simple chalk line marks the kids’ one-mile turnaround—no chance of wrong turns.
Course safety gets a double layer of comfort. Volunteer marshals sport neon vests and carry radios plus small first-aid kits, ready for everything from skinned knees to errant shoelaces. The park’s natural tree cover shields runners from the occasional February drizzle, while a light-rain policy keeps the schedule intact unless lightning rolls in. In that rare case, the entire event shifts to February 15, giving travelers a clear fallback plan.
How to Nab Your Bib Without Breaking a Sweat
Early birds win two ways: they grab the best rig spots and lock in matching red tee shirts. Online registration opens January 1 through a mobile-friendly portal; click the “Book My Valentine’s Run-cation” button on the resort’s site and you’ll land on a form that takes less than three minutes. If Grandma still rocks a flip phone, she can swing by the Port St. Joe RV Resort office for a paper form and pay with cash or card.
Packet pick-up runs 7:00–7:45 a.m. race morning, so aim to arrive thirty minutes early. Family packs come sorted by last name, with safety pins, bibs, and a print-out of the loop map. Waiver highlights: dogs on non-retractable leashes, kids under six within arm’s reach or stroller, and earbuds allowed at low volume so you can still hear marshals. Same-day sign-ups cost five bucks more, and the shirt supply drops fast, so the earlier click truly counts.
Race-Morning Game Plan From Your RV Door
By 6:30 a.m., water is heating for oatmeal in the rig, and coffee is dripping into travel mugs. Full hookups make the prep breeze—no generator hum, no stove fumes. Load race kits—shoes, bib belts, dog bowl—into a clear bin and stash it by the door the night before to dodge last-minute scrambling.
Wheels up at 7:00 a.m. The drive from Port St. Joe RV Resort to Constitution Park clocks in at five minutes, but Valentine’s morning excitement can slow traffic. Cyclists can ditch the vehicle altogether; a ten-minute pedal doubles as a warm-up, and bike racks stand next to the pavilion. By 7:15 a.m., rigs nestle into the east-side oversized slots, someone snaps the first family selfie, and warm-up stretches take over the grass. The 5K horn sounds at 8:00 a.m., with the kids dash sprinting off at 8:05.
Sweet Extras After the Finish Line
The heartbeat of a family fun run lies beyond the clock, and Constitution Park delivers. A DIY Valentine booth spreads markers, glitter, and card stock across picnic tables so kids can craft notes for grandparents while parents cool down. A few steps away, pre-baked heart cookies wait beside strawberry and vanilla icing bags; the sugar rush pairs nicely with finish-line citrus wedges sourced from nearby groves.
For social-media glory, an oversized heart backdrop frames the lake and live-oak canopy. Post a photo with the hashtag #PSJLoveRun and you’ll automatically enter a drawing for a sunset cruise voucher. If energy still buzzes, a three-legged 50-yard dash kicks off at 9:45 a.m., pairing parents, partners, or new friends in a wobbling sprint that guarantees laughs.
Extend the Love: Build a Weekend Around the Run
Friday’s arrival sets the pace with a sunset walk along Cape San Blas Lighthouse, a classic Gulf Coast snapshot just twenty minutes south; opening hours are posted on the official lighthouse site. Race afternoon pivots to water—kayaks and paddleboards rented from local outfitters glide across dolphin-speckled St. Joseph Bay, and shallow coves let kids spot sea turtles in clear water.
Sunday brings slower joys. Brunch on Reid Avenue offers shrimp-and-grits under string lights, then boutique browsing for coastal décor or handmade soaps. Digital nomads can plug in at Scallop Joe’s Coffee Shop, two blocks from the resort, where Wi-Fi speeds rival any city coworking loft. With late checkout secured, there’s zero rush to haul the rig before noon.
Love is in the air—and it’s only five minutes from your doorstep at Port St. Joe RV Resort. After you cross that heart-shaped finish line, stroll back to your spacious site, rinse off in the climate-controlled bathhouse, and relax by the bay as the sun melts into St. Joseph Bay. With full hookups, blazing-fast Wi-Fi, a fenced dog park for your four-legged pacer, and a pool perfect for a post-race dip, your entire Valentine’s weekend turns into one seamless Gulf Coast escape. Sites fill fast on holiday weekends, so click “Book My Valentine’s Run-cation,” choose your favorite spot, and let us handle the rest. We’ll keep the coffee hot, the community vibe warm, and the memories ready to run—see you at sunrise, bib fluttering, smiles wide, love in stride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I register and still snag the matching red tee for everyone in our crew?
A: Jump on the resort’s “Book My Valentine’s Run-cation” portal before February 7; the form takes under three minutes, locks in your bibs, and auto-adds the right shirt sizes to your cart so you can cross “family photo coordination” off the list.
Q: Can I bring a jogging stroller or let my tween ride a scooter alongside me?
A: Yes, the 100 percent paved loop is wide enough for wheels and feet to coexist, so strollers, scooters, and wagons glide easily as long as you stay to the right and pass politely.
Q: We’re snowbirds with cranky knees—does the event offer a purely walking option?
A: Absolutely; walkers launch with the runners but keep their own relaxed pace, and the one-hour cutoff plus benches every mile ensure plenty of time for breaks and stretches.
Q: Where do I park my 38-foot rig on race morning?
A: Oversized RV slots stretch along Allen Memorial Way beside the park; if those fill, attendants will wave you one block east to the Convention Center’s level overflow lot with extra turning radius.
Q: Are dogs welcome the whole time or just for the run?
A: Leashed, well-mannered pups can trot the course, sip from the mile-two water bowl, and then cool off in the park’s fenced dog area while you decorate cookies—just sign the pet waiver at packet pickup.
Q: What does the entry fee cover besides the charity donation?
A: Your $25 adult or $10 kid fee delivers a bib, heart-shaped finisher medal, red race tee, post-run snacks, craft-table supplies, and a slice of every dollar goes straight to Gulf County Schools’ PE fund.
Q: Is there same-day or paper registration for my tech-averse parents?
A: Yes, race-morning sign-ups run 7:00–7:30 a.m. under the pavilion, and the Port St. Joe RV Resort office hands out paper forms all week for those who prefer pen and cash or card swipes.
Q: What happens if February 14 dawns with thunderstorms?
A: We run in light rain, but lightning or severe weather triggers a 24-hour bump, so everything shifts to February 15 at the same times and your existing bib stays valid.
Q: Are restrooms and water stations frequent enough for kids and seniors?
A: Three permanent bathrooms plus extra porta-potties sit beside the start/finish pavilion, and water tables stocked with cups and a pup bowl pop up at every mile marker.
Q: Will my cell service or Wi-Fi drop while I livestream the finish line?
A: Both AT&T and Verizon show full bars in Constitution Park, and the city’s free public Wi-Fi blankets the pavilion area, so video calls and uploads should flow smoothly.
Q: Do finishers get age-group awards or is it purely for fun?
A: The vibe is celebratory, not cut-throat; every finisher earns the same heart medal, and the only extra prize is a random drawing for those posting with #PSJLoveRun, making the event kid-friendly and pressure-free.
Q: Can we bike from the RV resort instead of driving?
A: Definitely—the flat, well-marked route is just over a mile each way; bike racks sit next to the pavilion so you can lock up and roll straight into warm-up stretches.
Q: Are there food trucks or local vendors on site after the run?
A: Yes, a rotating trio of Gulf-coast favorites—think shrimp tacos, cold-brew coffee, and fresh fruit bowls—set up by 8:30 a.m., giving you refueling options beyond the complimentary cookies and citrus.
Q: I need to log into work by 10 a.m.; will I make it?
A: The horn sounds at 8:00, most 5K finishers cross by 8:40, and even walkers wrap by 9:00, leaving you plenty of time to bike or drive five minutes back to the resort, shower, and click “Join Meeting.”