5K races near Gilly

La Course aux Flambeaux lets you run with fire, lighting up the night. Dash through the darkness, guided by torches, in a memorable evening that becomes a torch parade.

La Course du Bois du Cazier begins at the Bois du Cazier in Charleroi, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Hainaut, Belgium. This event offers mixed road and trail running, with adult races around 6 km and 16 km, and children's runs of 500 meters and 1 km. The shorter adult course is just over 6 km, and the longer one is a little over 16 km, meaning the listed distances are approximate. The route departs the historic mining site, passing through Marcinelle via paved sections, slag heaps (terrils), and forest paths. Portions of the course overlook Charleroi, providing more variety than a typical city road race. The event accommodates both adults and children. Adult participants receive a bib, electronic timing, aid stations on the course and at the finish, a medal, and a raffle entry. Children get a bib, a snack at the finish, and a medal.

Corrida de Jodoigne is an October night road race held in Jodoigne, Walloon Brabant, Belgium. It crosses the town's historic center and features two primary distances: 5 km and 10 km. A 1.4 km children's run is also available for participants aged 6 to 12. The course has the organizer as surprising and somewhat technical, deviating from a simple flat run through town streets. The event accommodates various participants, from those aiming for a specific time to families and runners seeking a shorter evening race. Each distance has a participant limit of 500.

The Maasduinenloop starts and finishes at Landgoed Bleijenbeek in Afferden, with routes entering De Maasduinen National Park. This race, organized annually by Kiwanis Maasduinen in early November, offers distances for children and adults: 500 metres for children up to 7, 1,000 metres for ages 8 to 11, and 5 km and 10 km races. The 10 km course is a single loop. The estate provides practical amenities for runners and spectators, including free parking, changing rooms, showers, and a restaurant. The event supports local children's projects in Bergen, Gennep, and Mook en Middelaar. Recent editions have seen growth, with 323 runners participating in the tenth edition.

Vestingloop Bergen op Zoom begins and ends on the Grote Markt, located in the historic center of Bergen op Zoom in North Brabant. This road-running event offers short, accessible distances: a 1 km family run, a 5 km run, a 10 km run, and a 5 km Ommetje walking route. The schedule also features 5 km and 10 km corporate runs, welcoming not only club runners focused on speed but also families, walkers, colleagues, and casual runners to the same event. The course highlights the fortress-town's character instead of obscuring it. Participants will run past city landmarks including the Markiezenhof, the Ravelijn, the Lieve Vrouwenpoort, and the Peperbus. The Grote Markt serves as the central gathering point before and after the race. The event benefits the Hersenstichting, the Dutch Brain Foundation, adding a fundraising objective to the running and walking activities. Its core concept is a concise city run through historic Bergen op Zoom, with distances suitable for both novices and experienced runners.

The Trail de la Vallée de la Thure by Night is a 12 km night trail race held in Cousolre, Nord department, Hauts-de-France. Typically run in early November, the main race begins at 18:30, requiring participants to use headlamps from the start. The 12 km course includes a 270-metre climb, offering a challenge suitable for both new trail runners and seasoned athletes. The route crosses forest paths, steep ascents, technical terrain, concealed roots, and areas near Cousolre's former quarries. It presents a demanding trail run, not a straightforward road race, featuring descents that challenge balance and speed. RRunning Cousolre organizes the event, fostering a local and welcoming atmosphere where night-trail regulars and newcomers share the course. Post-race, participants receive homemade soup and substantial refreshments, aligning with the event's straightforward concept: compete intensely in the dark, then recuperate together.

La Gelbressoise is a small nature-running event in Gelbressée, near Namur in Belgium’s Ardennes region, held in November. Participants can select from 20 km, 12 km, and 5 km courses, accommodating those seeking a longer countryside run and those preferring a short local race. The three distances are managed as distinct events, with limits of 300 runners for the 20 km and 600 runners each for the 12 km and 5 km. Registration is exclusively online, without on-site sign-ups. The stated fees are 10 EUR for 20 km, 7 EUR for 12 km, and 5 EUR for 5 km, prior to additional registration charges.

Foulées Hivernales ART is a winter forest run in Watermael-Boitsfort, Belgium, starting at Collège Saint-Hubert. Participants can select either a 5 km or 12 km distance, both beginning in the morning. The event has a limit of 1,000 participants. Registration must be completed in advance; no race-day sign-ups are permitted. Each runner is assigned a time slot to collect their bib. The course is contained entirely within the Sonian Forest, presenting a compact trail-style event distinct from city road races. The return to the finish line retraces the initial path. A drink station is available on the 12 km course within the forest. ART Running Team organizes this event, part of its Foulées race series which includes a summer edition. The event also supports the Belgian Cardiology League.

On Ciney's hilly streets, fewer than a handful of runners have ever broken 30 minutes for the 10 km since 1988. The Corrida de Ciney is a late-December road race in Ciney, Belgium, in Namur province and the Condroz region. Runners can choose 5 km or 10 km, with children's races also on the program. The race is also called the Corrida des Féeries or Corrida de la Saint-Sylvestre, fitting its slot between the end-of-year holidays. The course runs through the city rather than on a flat, purpose-built speed loop, so fast times stand out. The event is organized by ARCH Athlétisme and draws a large local field, with recent participation around 1,500 finishers and earlier editions already topping 1,100 athletes. It also includes a Think Pink team relay and joëlette races, so the day is not only for club runners chasing sharp times. The front end can still be serious: the 5 km has produced course-record running, close duels between local and regional athletes, and winners with track credentials such as steeplechase specialist Clément Labar.

The Jogging des Strineux begins at the Le Foyer cultural centre in Eugies, a village in Hainaut associated with Frameries European Runners. This modest winter running event offers 5 km and 11 km distances, both commencing in the morning, and is part of the Challenge des Belles des Hauts Pays schedule. The course is predominantly off-road, with approximately two-thirds crossing the woods and countryside surrounding Eugies. The 11 km race includes an aid station along the route, while both distances are provided with one at the finish. Wet conditions can introduce mud to the local trails. Recent events have seen several hundred participants complete the distances. Post-race amenities include showers at the football field, a raffle, a bar, and basic food offerings at the foyer.

The Grand Prix de Dour begins at Dour Sports on Chemin des Fours in Dour, offering both a 5 km and a 10 km distance for runners and walkers. Organized by Dour Sports, the event takes place in February with Benoît Cheval as race director. Participants of all levels aged 15 and up are welcome; younger runners require parental authorization, and handisport participants are accommodated. The 5 km is a brief, affordable run, while the 10 km offers a longer, yet manageable, challenge. The course is primarily asphalt, incorporating approximately a quarter through rural terrain, distinguishing it from a simple road race. The 10 km features 80 m of elevation gain and the 5 km has 36 m, including false flats, paved sections, and an obstacle to overcome. Despite these features, the course is considered quite fast and adaptable for various skill levels. It is included in the Challenge des Belles du Haut-Pays. One aid station is located on the route, with another at the finish. Showers and changing facilities are provided, and the post-race amenities include light refreshments, a bar, awards for top finishers, and a tombola for all participants.