Little Flower School will hold its 11th annual Patriot Day 5K on Saturday, Sept. 5, bringing runners, families and community organizations together in Great Mills to recognize military personnel, first responders and medical professionals serving St. Mary’s County.
The event will include a 5K run and walk along with a 1-mile Kids’ Fun Run for children ages 10 and younger. Strollers are permitted on the race course, and residents do not have to participate in either race to attend the community event.
Race-day activities will begin early Saturday morning at Little Flower School, 20410 Point Lookout Road.
Same-day registration and packet pickup are scheduled from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., followed by Kids’ Fun Run warm-ups at 7:45 a.m. The opening ceremony and recognition of the Patriot of the Year will begin at 8 a.m.
Warm-ups for the 1-mile Kids’ Fun Run and 5K are scheduled for 8:15 a.m., followed by the start of the 5K run and walk at 8:30 a.m. An awards ceremony is expected at approximately 9:30 a.m.
The event will also include music, food and exhibits from community organizations. Organizers are encouraging participants and spectators to wear patriotic clothing, with a contest planned for patriotic spirit wear.
The race is designed to recognize what Little Flower School describes as local patriots, including military personnel, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians and medical professionals.
Two awards extend that recognition beyond race day.
Residents may nominate an individual for the Patriot of the Year Award by submitting one or two paragraphs explaining the nominee’s service, leadership or community impact. Nominations are limited to 500 words and are due Aug. 25.
Neither the person submitting the nomination nor the nominee is required to register for the race.
Little Flower School middle school students will select the Patriot of the Year using anonymous nominations. The selected recipient is expected to be notified by Aug. 30 and is encouraged to attend the Sept. 5 opening ceremony or designate someone to accept the recognition.
The award also has a charitable component. Little Flower School says 10% of event proceeds will be donated to a charity selected by the Patriot of the Year recipient.
Race registrants can also vote for a Patriot Organization of the Year during registration. The organization receiving the most votes will receive 15% of event proceeds.
The charitable structure has been part of the race for several years. During the 2023 event, Little Flower School said previous Patriot Day 5Ks had generated more than $8,000 for organizations and causes including the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, Second District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad and other charities.
This year’s race marks the event’s 11th running. Little Flower School promoted the Sept. 6, 2025, race as its 10th annual Patriot Day 5K, and the school’s event calendar lists the 2026 race for Sept. 5.
The event is held near Patriot Day, the national observance on Sept. 11 commemorating those killed in the 2001 terrorist attacks and recognizing public service and sacrifice.
The 2026 race also falls during the year marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Little Flower School says the race reflects its core values of faith, knowledge and service and is intended to bring the school and surrounding community together around service to others.
The school itself has deep roots in St. Mary’s County.
Little Flower traces its history to 1887, when it opened as the parochial school for Holy Face Church. It formally adopted the Little Flower School name in 1926 in honor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. The current school building was dedicated in 1951 after the opening of Naval Air Station Patuxent River contributed to rapid population growth in the area.
The school now serves students from prekindergarten through eighth grade and describes itself as a regional Catholic school serving Southern Maryland.
Little Flower’s stated mission emphasizes development of the whole child, while its service programs include food and clothing drives, veterans-related activities and other community projects.
Registration, sponsorship information and Patriot of the Year nomination details are available at https://www.littleflowercatholic.org/patriot-day-5k.
Questions may be sent to lfspatriotday5k@gmail.com.
Little Flower School can also be found on Facebook at littleflowercatholic and Instagram at lfspatriots.
