5K races near Kandel

La Surbourgeoise sends a pink wave through the streets of Surbourg, a village in the Bas-Rhin area of Grand Est in eastern France. It is a short, 5 km town road event held in early October, with both running and walking options. The main race starts in the morning and is untimed, so there is no ranking pressure. The route is a single 5 km loop inside the village, which keeps the day compact and easy for supporters to follow. Runners and walkers of different levels line up together, and the event is tied to the Course Rose against breast cancer. Proceeds go to Coeur des Sables, and the Club Vosgien organizes the day as a community sports animation rather than a conventional competitive race.

The EnergieSüdwest - Offenbach an der Queich is a road-running event held in the morning in Offenbach an der Queich, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is part of the EnergieSüdwest Cup and functions as the cup final. The event features 10 km and 5 km races, a children’s or student run, a Bambini run, and 5 km walking. TV Offenbach Laufbewerbe has organized the race since 1970. Local clubs and associations from Landau, Offenbach, Göcklingen, Birkweiler, Albersweiler, Siebeldingen, and surrounding villages may enter teams. The club competition offers an incentive: if at least 10 members finish, the club receives 15 euros per runner, capped at 25 runners. Participation is not restricted to sports clubs; groups like support associations or Landfrauen clubs are also welcome. Registration is managed via Runtix, with late entries accepted at the Turn- und Festhalle just before the start, where awards are presented afterward.

The Pfettrachtaler Lauf begins at the SC Pfettrach sports field in Altdorf, Bavaria, offering runners several road-race options on the same day. The primary distances are a 21.1 km half marathon, a 10 km run, and a 5 km run. Shorter races are available for children and students over 2 km, 800 m, and 400 m. The event typically takes place in autumn and has been held annually since 2002. Organized by SC Pfettrach, it maintains the feel of a local club event rather than a large city race. The program extends beyond standard running events. Nordic walking is included, and inline skating is part of the event listing. Recent editions have also featured 23 km mountain bike and e-mountain bike races on an MTB trail. The youngest participants have their own Bambini race, while older school-age runners compete in separate student distances before the longer adult races commence. Local businesses and AOK Bayern provide support, reinforcing the event's connection to the Pfettrach and Landshut areas.

The Oberwaldlauf is a 5 km and 10 km race held annually in the Oberwald forest in Karlsruhe, taking place on the third Saturday of October. The start and finish are located at the TuS Rüppurr club grounds on Steinmannstraße. The 10 km race begins first, followed shortly by the 5 km run and 5 km walk. The event is sanctioned by the German Athletics Association, and both running courses are officially measured, allowing results to be included in German ranking lists. The route consists of a loop on asphalt and maintained forest paths, offering a more controlled environment than a rugged trail race while keeping participants within the Oberwald. The 10 km race is open to older youth and adults, the 5 km run includes younger age groups, and the walking option accommodates families and casual participants. TuS Rüppurr organizes the event with a club atmosphere: water, tea, and bananas are available at the finish, with waffles, cake, fries, and bratwurst offered around the grounds, and a bouncy castle for children. Course records stand at 29:07 and 35:45 for the 10 km, and 14:53 and 16:38 for the 5 km.

La Froussarde is a Halloween-themed night race series held in late October. The main event is a 10 km road race, run as one loop, and it is the most popular distance, with over 300 participants at the last edition. The program also includes a 5 km road race with a solidarity aspect, also at night and on a single urban loop. Families can participate in the Zombie Walk, a 1.5 km night walk through town, which maintains the Halloween theme for those seeking the atmosphere without the competition.

The Mühlhausener Spendenlauf is a charity run held in October in Mühlhausen, part of the Landkreis-Laufcup Kelheim. It features 400 m, 2 km, 5 km, and 10 km races, along with a 5 km walk. This setup allows children, amateur athletes, walkers, and experienced runners to participate on the same day. The event has its multiple distances rather than a specific route, focusing on participation and fundraising. This marks the sixth edition of the run, and it has been included in the Landkreis-Laufcup Kelheim for three years. Online registration is open until race week, with an option for late, on-site registration at an additional cost. The primary tradition of the event is its support for a regional charitable organization through its proceeds.

From the Skihütte Calmbach, runners ascend 4.6 km and 220 meters of elevation to the Jägerhütte. The Jägerhüttenlauf is a short mountain road race in Calmbach, Baden-Württemberg, typically held in November with a 14:00 start. Skizunft Calmbach organizes it, and the race is part of the Calwer-Berglauf-Cup. The event also offers a Nordic Walking option on the same route, without timing or registration, following the motto “Being there is everything.” The field of participants can be small; one report noted 35 starters and fewer participants than anticipated. Domenik Hahn won on his debut and set a course record, while Antje Alt took the women’s race in that same edition.

The Plopsa Nikolauslauf Haßloch begins and ends within Plopsaland Deutschland, the amusement park in Haßloch, directing its longer distance runners into the Haßlocher Wald. Organized by LC Haßloch, this St. Nicholas season Volkslauf features races for various skill levels: a measured half marathon, a 5.5 km run for beginners, a 3.3 km student run, an 800 m run for bambini, and a 250 m mini run. The half marathon combines road running with forest paths, while the shorter races offer distinct distances for children, youth runners, active adults, and masters. This event continues the tradition of the Haßloch Nikolauslauf in a new format with Plopsaland as a partner, following over fifty editions of the established race. Starting spots are capped, and previous outcomes indicate it attracts both dedicated local runners and families or newcomers; Marko Martin of TV Maikammer, who won the half marathon, described the win as a personal dream.

The Course de Printemps in Reichshoffen is a spring race held around the town’s lake, featuring 5 km and 10 km road races for adults. The event also offers Nordic walking, youth races, and a four-person relay of approximately 10 km, catering to club runners, casual adults, walkers, and children. The route is hilly, set among the Northern Vosges hills, forest, and a nature reserve, presenting a course distinct from a simple town loop. Younger children compete in a 1000 m race, older youth in a 2430 m race, adults and older teenagers can select the 5 km or 10 km, and relay teams complete four legs of about 2500 m each. The City of Reichshoffen and Athlétisme Niederbronn-Reichshoffen organize the race, with free entry for youth in the specified events.