Event Name: Celsius 5K 2025
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
There's something about Valentine's Day in Fort Lauderdale that just hits different. The palm trees are draped in morning light, the street smells like coffee and warm pizza from the Colavita tent, and somewhere down Las Olas Boulevard, nearly a thousand people in red shirts are stretching their legs and laughing way too loud for 6 a.m. That's the energy we walked into on February 14, 2026, covering the Celsius Fort Lauderdale 5K — and honestly, it was one of the most fun races we've photographed all year.
This event is part of the larger Publix Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon & Half, presented by Colavita. The 5K runs its own course through downtown Fort Lauderdale and draws thousands of runners, walkers, couples, best friends, costume-wearers, and competitive athletes all in one colorful wave. Sponsored by Celsius Live Fit and anchored by the Colavita wood-fired pizza tent as the backdrop for the starting village — yes, an actual wood-fired pizza oven — this race has a vibe that's hard to put into words. So we're going to let the photos do a lot of the talking.
We always try to get to the start line early enough to catch people before the nerves kick in — or before they turn into race-face mode. And right away, this group in matching red Fort 5K shirts stopped us cold. Miguel Melendez (#770) is doing the classic "this is fine" thumb point while clearly having the time of his life. Standing next to him, #771, #772, and #769 complete the squad. Behind them, the Colavita wood-burning oven is already glowing. Wild, right? Who races past a pizza oven and doesn't immediately want to stop?
The Elites Take the Stage
When a race attracts close to a thousand finishers, there's usually a handful of athletes who separate themselves from the pack within the first 400 meters. The 2026 Celsius Fort Lauderdale 5K was no exception. Dave Floyd (#555) from the Runner's Depot Racing Team crossed the finish line in a blazing 17:11, breaking the tape with both arms stretched wide and a look on his face that said everything about what it takes to run 5K in just over 17 minutes. On the women's side, Beth Dollas (#1031) finished in 20:22, breaking her own tape with hands up, heart-print compression socks on full display. Those socks? Perfectly on brand for Valentine's Day.
Dave Floyd (#555, left) wins the overall with a 17:11 finish. Beth Dollas (#1031, right) takes the women's crown at 20:22 — complete with heart-print socks.
We've photographed a lot of finish-line moments over the years, and there's a specific kind of frame you wait for — the split second when a runner's foot crosses the mat and pure emotion takes over. Both Dave and Beth gave us exactly that. Dave's Runner's Depot singlet and those tattoos on his arm made for a sharp contrast against the bright red Celsius finish banner. Beth's celebration was pure joy — you could feel how much that finish meant to her from across the course.
Everybody Runs Their Own Race
Here's the thing about photographing a race like this — the elite finish happens fast and then it's done. But the next hour and a half? That's where the real stories live. We planted ourselves at the finish line on Las Olas Boulevard, and the runners just kept coming, each one with their own reason for being there, their own version of what a good race day looks like.
Cesar Diaz (#685, left) goes full wingspan at the finish. Rikki Farquharson (#31, right) is all smiles crossing the line.
Cesar Diaz (#685) came in at 25:07, and his finish was everything. Arms stretched wide like he was landing a plane, the biggest grin behind those mirrored sunglasses, phone in one hand and not a care in the world. You'd never know he just ran a solid 5K. And Rikki Farquharson (#31) — bib number 31, red shorts, white crop top, finishing in 26:52 — had an energy that practically jumped out of the frame. She looked like she could turn right around and do it again.
Erica Vaughn (#759, left) goes full vertical leap at the finish line. Sandra Moure (#40, right) is all-in with a massive finish-line smile, alongside Nicole Mariano (#780).
Seriously, Erica Vaughn (#759) might have our favorite finish of the whole day. She came across the line in 28:22, and instead of just running through, she launched herself into the air — full jump, both fists raised, red matching set looking like she'd planned this moment since she signed up. That's the kind of shot you get once at a race if you're lucky. Sandra Moure (#40) finishing in 32:47 was equally joyful — giant smile, pink lightning-bolt socks flying. Right behind her, Nicole Mariano (#780) clocked in at 32:17, both of them coming through together.
Jonathan Pineda (#884) is locked in — or at least, locked into pointing at someone in the crowd at a 31:27 pace.
We caught Jonathan Pineda (#884) mid-course, and he's in full celebration mode before the finish line — pointing at someone in the crowd, big laugh on his face. That's the joy of a race like this. Jonathan finished in 31:27, and given how much he seemed to be loving every second of it, we believe it.
Heart Hands, Costumes, and Valentine's Day Vibes
Ashley Isaac (#486, left) makes a heart with her hands at 34:09. Jeniffer De Sousa (#1250, right) and Frances Perez (#1149) celebrate their finish together at 36:03–36:34.
Ashley Isaac (#486) made a heart with her hands right at the finish line in 34:09. Her hair was flying, her form was dialed in, and that gesture just summed up the whole day perfectly. A few minutes later, Jeniffer De Sousa (#1250) and Frances Perez (#1149) came through together — one with her arm raised, one smiling ear to ear. That's what happens when you sign up for a Valentine's Day race with your favorite running buddy.
Dinah Lombillo (#397) is double-peace-signing her way toward a 31:39 finish, with Bailey Sass (#1037) right behind at 30:37.
One of our favorite mid-course shots of the day was Dinah Lombillo (#397) coming through in 31:39, throwing up both peace signs with the biggest smile. Her lips-and-hearts leggings were very on-theme, and her whole energy said: I'm here, I'm having a blast, and I don't care how fast I'm going. Right behind her was Bailey Sass (#1037), who actually finished at 30:37 — a little faster than Dinah — and both of them helped turn that stretch of Las Olas into a party.
The Costumes That Stole the Show
Alex Hernandez (#38) and Hollie Castillo (#893, left) push through the finish. The most festive couple of the day (#877, right) jumps for joy — hearts painted on her legs, "LOVE" written on his.
Alex Hernandez (#38) and Hollie Castillo (#893) came through the finish area together in 36:46 and 37:52 respectively, all smiles, with Hollie wearing a hydration vest and those great pink headphones. But honestly? The most Valentine's Day thing we saw all day was the couple wearing bib #877. She's in a blue skirt with hearts painted on her legs, and he had "LOVE" and "DAYTHER" written down his legs in red marker. They crossed the finish line jumping hand in hand, phones raised, laughing so hard the photo practically shakes. That is exactly what this race is about.
The crowd behind the Celsius-Colavita barrier was every bit as energetic as the runners — complete with a toddler doing the double fist-pump.
We have to talk about the crowd, because they were incredible. At one point near the finish stretch, this group of supporters was lined up behind the barricade absolutely losing their minds for every runner that came through. A toddler in a red "Heart Rob" shirt doing the double fist-pump is maybe the greatest piece of spectator photography we've captured this season. This is what makes a Valentine's Day race special — the energy is already high, and then you add friends, families, kids, and barricade banners and it turns into something electric.
Every Runner Has a Finish Line Story
#410 (left) locks in that determined finish-line look. Lauren George (#1144, right) brings the most stylish shield shades of the day at 42:16.
One of the things we love most about photographing races is the total diversity of energy on display. Runner #410, all in red from head to toe, hit the finish stretch with a focused look that said "I've been waiting for this moment." And Lauren George (#1144) — those iridescent shield glasses alone made for a great photo. She crossed the line at 42:16 with a hydration vest, a fanny pack, and a smile that made the whole finish area feel warmer.
Avia Parker (#1087, left) keeps that steady pace at 42:33. Erin Judd (#608, right) and her running partner cross the finish hand-in-hand at 45:10.
Avia Parker (#1087) is in that zone we love to photograph — locked in, leopard headband, blue headphones, eyes forward, finishing at 42:33 with quiet determination. And then you have Erin Judd (#608) who came through the finish holding hands with her running partner, one arm raised, one massive grin. That photo captures something real: finishing a race is always better with someone next to you.
A finisher celebrates post-race with her medal (left). Chantel Fleurima (#30, right) crosses in a tutu and devil horns at 45:44 — the full Valentine's costume experience.
The medals at this race are gorgeous — big heart shapes, and you could see the finishers holding them up everywhere in the post-race area. One finisher we captured was already in full celebration mode behind the barrier, medal up, hand raised, laughing with a friend. And Chantel Fleurima (#30) — bib number 30 — absolutely committed to the Valentine's theme. She crossed the finish line in a purple tutu, red devil horns, red headphones, and a peace sign in each hand. Finishing at 45:44, she looked like she had more fun on that 3.1-mile course than most people have all weekend.
Bringing It Home Together
Jaime Uber (#515) and Kristen Poulin (#517, left) hit the finish both airborne at 48:18. Keisha Chenelle (#701, right) beams through in tie-dye at 54:27.
Jaime Uber (#515) and Kristen Poulin (#517) both finished at exactly 48:18 — because when you race together, you finish together. And they came through jumping, arms in the air, pink heart glasses and all. It's one of those finish-line moments you can't manufacture. Keisha Chenelle (#701) followed in her tie-dye leggings and pink fanny pack at 54:27, and her smile is the kind that makes you feel good just looking at the photo.
Post-race medal crew: Bianca Yacinthe (#309), Desyree Hernandez (#301), Nicania Cange-Talton (#305), and friends celebrate with their heart-shaped finisher medals.
We wrapped up the day with this group of five in the post-race area, all holding up their heart-shaped medals. Bianca Yacinthe (#309), Desyree Hernandez (#301), Nicania Cange-Talton (#305), and their crew were dressed in pink and red from head to toe, clearly treating race day like a full-on Valentine's Day celebration. This is exactly the frame that sums up why the Celsius Fort Lauderdale 5K works — it's not just a race, it's an experience.
Why We Love Photographing This Race
We've covered races all over South Florida — from Hollywood Beach to Miami to the Treasure Coast — and the Celsius Fort Lauderdale 5K has a character that's hard to replicate. The downtown course is photogenic in a way that most road races aren't. The palm-lined boulevard, the sponsor banners, the natural morning light filtering between buildings — it creates a backdrop that makes every runner look great. And because this race runs alongside the A1A Marathon and Half, the energy is massive. The crowd isn't just politely clapping. They're yelling, cheering, dragging signs, and chasing runners down the barrier.
For us, it's about being in the right place at the right time with the right equipment — and knowing exactly where to stand to get the finish-line expression before the runner even realizes we're there. We've been honing that approach across dozens of South Florida races, and events like this one are where it really pays off. The diversity of runners, the costumes, the couples, the families — every one of those stories deserves a great photograph.
Find the complete set of race results and photos at Southern Timing.
