On Saturday, May 16, Dallas’ signature architecture-themed race celebrated another milestone year as the Form Follows Fitness 5K, presented by Blackson Brick, gathered more than 60 runners, walkers, architects, designers, civic leaders and community supporters at Community Beer Company for a ceremonial check presentation benefiting The Architecture and Design Foundation. The brewery hosted four social runs leading up to the 2026 race and will host monthly runs on the third Saturday of each month through January 2027.
The 2026 race season generated $221,358.07, the third-highest fundraising total in event history, helping bring the race’s lifetime charitable impact to more than $2 million raised. The event also celebrated its 15th anniversary year, setting records with 3,973 registrations, $308,000 in sponsorship revenue and 184 industry teams participating. Throughout its 15-year history, 44,588 participants have taken part in the 5K.
The ceremonial presentation recognized the impact of a community event that has evolved far beyond a race. Form Follows Fitness has united the architecture, engineering, construction, planning and fitness communities to raise funds that create opportunities for students, support research, expand public education and connect residents to the beauty and importance of the built environment.
The morning also spotlighted the future of architecture, design and civic innovation. Following the presentation, an air horn sounded as runners and walkers began the first official monthly social run leading into the 2027 race season.
“The AD EX Form Follows Fitness 5K really began from a simple moment of inspiration during a Saturday morning AD EX Arts District Walking Tour in 2010,” said Patrick Glenn, AIA, LEED AP, ALEP, LE Fellow, Form Follows Fitness 5K founder. “As Briar Glenn and I were experiencing the energy of the Dallas Arts District, we started talking about how incredible it would be to create an event that connected health, community and architecture in a more visible and engaging way. What started as a meaningful idea has grown into a Dallas tradition that celebrates architecture, promotes public engagement and supports educational programs and scholarships for future generations of designers and architects.”
Glenn said one of the event’s greatest achievements has been strengthening the connection between the public and the architecture and design community while supporting educational initiatives and scholarships.
“Seeing the lasting impact this event has had on both our profession and the broader Dallas community is something I am incredibly proud of,” Glenn said. “I am excited to see how we can continue to grow that message and impact for the next 15 years.”
For Briar Glenn, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Form Follows Fitness 5K co-founder, the race’s continued growth reflects the power of community collaboration.
“Celebrating the Form Follows Fitness 5K’s 15th anniversary is a tremendous milestone,” Glenn said. “What began as an idea to bring our industry colleagues, partners and the community together around a shared commitment to wellness and the celebration of Dallas’ iconic architecture has grown into something far greater than Patrick and I ever imagined.”
She said the race has become the Foundation’s largest single fundraising effort while helping expand programs such as Build Your City!, the Exhibition Series, Architecture and Design Exchange programming and Designing My Future Camps.
“Beyond race day, the 5K has become a catalyst for deeper community engagement, meaningful industry partnerships and new opportunities to inspire the next generation through the power of architecture and design,” Glenn said.
Norman Alston, FAIA, president-elect of The Architecture and Design Foundation, believes the race perfectly reflects Dallas’ architectural spirit.
“I love that the Form Follows Fitness 5K was born out of walking through our city and looking at the architecture,” Alston said. “It’s testimony to the quality of Dallas architecture that, besides being beautiful, it can inspire people in other important aspects of their lives.”
The race’s unique atmosphere and citywide appeal continue to resonate with participants and organizers alike, according to Eric Lindberg, race director for the Form Follows Fitness 5K.
“Every year, the commitment and support from the architecture industry for the race blows me away,” Lindberg said. “It’s the largest industry gathering in North Texas and I pause when I call it a race because it’s truly an event for all, including architecture, the running and walking community, families, friends and coworkers.”
Lindberg added that the course remains one of the event’s signature experiences as participants travel through the West End, Downtown, the Arts District and Uptown before finishing at Klyde Warren Park.
Marc Blackson, president of Blackson Brick, said supporting the event aligns naturally with the company’s mission and values.
“Supporting Form Follows Fitness is not only a commitment to giving back, it’s a strategic alignment of business objectives with meaningful impact, strengthening both the Foundation and the architecture community it serves,” Blackson said.
About The Architecture and Design Foundation
The Architecture and Design Foundation is North Texas’ public gateway to architecture, design and the built environment. Through education, public programming and community access, the Foundation helps residents better understand how thoughtful design shapes where people live, work, learn and gather.
A cornerstone of its mission is Designing My Future, an expanding camp series for students ages 6 through 18 that introduces architecture, engineering and construction through hands-on learning led by architects, designers and educators. Students gain exposure to STEM learning, creative problem solving and career pathways while building confidence and leadership skills.
The Foundation also offers family-friendly programming such as Build Your City!, LEGO build days, workshops, guided architecture tours, gallery exhibitions and public discussions exploring sustainability, preservation, urban planning and the future of cities.
Each year, the organization awards between $40,000 and $60,000 in scholarships, fellowships and research grants to high school students, university students and emerging professionals. Funds raised through Form Follows Fitness help keep public programs accessible, support underserved youth and first-generation college students, preserve Dallas’ architectural legacy and cultivate the next generation of designers, planners and civic leaders.
Sponsors
Master Builder Sponsor
• Blackson Brick
Tradesman Level Sponsors
• C1S Group
• Corgan
• Curtainwall Design & Consulting
• Glenn Partners
• LA Fuess Structural Engineers
• Merriman MAA
• Stantec
• Whiting-Turner
ABOUT FORM FOLLOWS FITNESS 5K
The Form Follows Fitness 5K, presented by Blackson Brick and benefiting The Architecture and Design Foundation, celebrates Dallas architecture through a scenic race experience showcasing the city’s skyline and iconic urban design. Participants travel through the West End, Downtown, the Arts District and Uptown while supporting education, public engagement and community programming connected to the built environment.
Registration is now open for the 2027 Form Follows Fitness 5K, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20, 2027, at Klyde Warren Park. More information, including details on upcoming social runs, is available at formfollowsfitness.com.
ABOUT THE BENEFICIARY
The Architecture and Design Foundation is North Texas’ public gateway to architecture, design and the built environment. The organization exists to help residents understand how thoughtful design influences where we live, work, learn and gather, and why great cities do not happen by accident.
Through education, access and public programming, the Foundation helps transform architecture from something people simply look at into something they actively experience and appreciate.
A cornerstone of its mission is Designing My Future, an expanding camp series for students ages 6 through 18 that introduces architecture, engineering and construction through hands-on learning led by architects, designers and educators. Students gain exposure to career pathways, STEM learning, creative problem solving and confidence-building experiences.
The Foundation also offers family-friendly programs such as Build Your City!, LEGO build days, workshops and community events that make architecture approachable for children and adults alike. Many are free or low-cost so families across income levels can participate.
Each year, thousands of residents and visitors engage through guided architecture walking tours and tram tours that showcase Dallas neighborhoods, landmarks and the stories behind them. These experiences build civic pride while increasing appreciation for preservation and smart urban growth.
Its gallery exhibitions and public dialogues explore innovation, sustainability, historic preservation, planning and the future of cities. The Foundation regularly partners with schools, universities, nonprofits and professional organizations to ensure design voices are part of broader civic conversations.
The organization also awards $40,000 to $60,000 annually in scholarships, fellowships and research grants for high school students, university students and emerging professionals. These opportunities help young talent study, travel, research and bring new ideas back to Dallas.
Funds raised through Form Follows Fitness also helps keep public programs accessible, reach underserved youth and first-generation college students, preserve Dallas’ architectural legacy and cultivate the next generation of designers, planners and civic leaders.