5K races near Amherstburg

The Heart Diggity Dog 5K, a dog-friendly run/walk in Midtown and Downtown Detroit, begins at 9am from Brush Mall, near the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan and the DMC Heart Hospital. This event is organized by the Detroit Police Department and the Detroit Medical Center's Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan. Separate registration is available for participants with dogs and those without. The route commences at 311 Mack Ave., situated between Beaubien and John R streets. It proceeds down Brush toward Comerica Park, circles through the adjacent neighborhood, and concludes back in Midtown. Human runners receive a race t-shirt and a custom medal, while canine participants are given a Heart Diggity Dog 5K bandana. Proceeds from the event benefit the Detroit Police Department.

The Dew What You Say 5K is a Wayne State University Physical Therapy fundraiser held in Detroit, taking place on the school’s Midtown campus around Gullen Mall. Participants can choose between a 5K run/walk or a 1-mile walk for a shorter option. The event begins in the morning with affordable registration and a straightforward setup, functioning as a campus community gathering to raise funds for the physical therapy clinics, rather than a large-scale city event. The funds raised benefit Wayne State’s student-operated pro bono clinics: the SAY Detroit Physical Therapy Clinic and the Diabetes Education and Wellness Clinic. These clinics provide services to uninsured and underinsured Detroit residents. Race proceeds contribute to the purchase of supplies, educational resources, and general clinic maintenance throughout the year. While specific course details are minimal, the location is defined: runners and walkers will assemble near Wayne State’s Biological Sciences Building on Gullen Mall. On-site and nearby parking is available, and the first 100 participants will receive tote bags.

The Sean Brady Memorial is a 5K run and 1-mile walk/run in Monroe, Michigan, starting at 2770 N Custer Road. Both events begin at 10:00 a.m. EDT and are held in conjunction with the Dave Bork Classic. Registration is exclusively through RunSignUp; no on-site registration is available. The 1-mile option is designed for those not wishing to complete a 5K, welcoming walkers, casual participants, and runners. The event commemorates Sean Brady, described in race materials as an exceptional student-athlete, friend, and teammate. All proceeds benefit Sean’s scholarship fund.

Spooky Sprint - Ann Arbor takes place in October at Kensington Metropark, featuring a half marathon, 10K, 5K, untimed 1-mile, kids' dash, and a virtual option. Bodies Race Company presents this event as part of its Holiday Series, designed for runners aiming for a personal best and families seeking a costume-welcoming fall activity. The longer races use chip timing with live results, while the 1-mile and kids' dash offer a relaxed pace. The half marathon begins in the morning, following park roads shaded by trees and paved trails around Maple Beach. The course has a fast, gently rolling terrain, avoiding steep hills. Costumes are welcome, and finishers will receive Halloween treats. Early registrants get race merchandise, including a custom bib, a designer shirt, and a medal. The kids' dash is open to children aged 10 and under, with a free option that does not include merchandise. Youth pricing is available for the 5K and 10K, making the shorter distances more accessible for families.

The Set the PACE 5K is a run and walk event held on the Detroit Riverwalk in October. Participants can choose between an in-person 5K run, an in-person 5K walk, or a virtual run/walk. The in-person race begins and ends at the Riverwalk, with proceeds benefiting PACE Southeast Michigan, an organization assisting older adults in maintaining safe, independent lives within their homes and communities. The course follows a timed out-and-back path along the riverwalk, passing through Milliken State Park. A water station is positioned at the turnaround point, approximately 1 mile from the start. Runners begin before walkers, who start a few minutes later; late entries are not permitted. All finishers will receive medals. Awards are presented to the top male and female overall runners, as well as top age-group runners. This marks the event's fifth year. Pets are not permitted on the course, and the race will proceed regardless of weather conditions.

Run of the Dead is a fall 5K in Charlotte that sends runners through Historic Elmwood Pinewood Cemetery, a cemetery of more than 70 acres with many notable names from the city’s past. The event also includes a free 1 Mile Kids Fun Run, with registration required, and kids receive their own fun run finisher medal. The course follows the cemetery paths rather than ordinary city streets, so the setting is the main thing that separates it from a standard neighborhood 5K. After the run, participants can stay for a food truck, DJ, awards, and a guided tour, while 5K registration includes an official race shirt, custom bib, and finisher medal.

The Kona Chocolate Run takes place on a November day on Belle Isle in Detroit, offering a Fun Run alongside 5K, 10K, and 15K races. It caters to both new and seasoned runners, with a flat course designed for consistent pacing instead of challenging hills. The first 600 registrants will receive a Kona Jacket, a tradition dating back to the event’s inception when the jacket was highly coveted. Participants navigate wide, paved, car-free roads on Belle Isle, with sights of the Detroit skyline, Ambassador Bridge, and Gordie Howe Bridge, plus views of Windsor across the river. All finishers receive medals. The post-race event features a chocolate buffet with hot cocoa, cakes, muffins, ice cream, chocolate-dipped items, chocolate milk, candies, and a chocolate bar carving station. Trophies are awarded to the top three overall finishers and the top three in each age category.

The Kona Chocolate Run offers 5K, 10K, and 15K races on Belle Isle in Detroit. All three distances feature a flat, traffic-free course, suitable for both new and experienced runners. Participants can choose a shorter run or extend to the 15K, all without navigating city traffic. The course provides views of the Detroit skyline, the Ambassador Bridge, the Gordie Howe Bridge, and Windsor across the river. The chocolate theme is central to the event's appeal. Finishers receive medals, and the first 600 registered participants get jackets. The post-race buffet includes hot chocolate, chocolate baked goods, carved chocolate, chocolate milk, chocolate ice cream, a dipping station, and various candies. Awards are presented to the top three overall finishers and the top three in each age group.