5K races near Stamford

Irchester Spooktacular is a Halloween night run at Irchester Country Park, featuring a 5k race and a 2k Family Fun Run on the same evening. Registration opens on Royal Meadow from 5:00 PM, the family run starts at 6:00 PM, and the 5k follows at 7:00 PM. The 5k is for runners aged 11 and over, while the 2k is open from age 4, with under-11s requiring an adult companion. Both routes utilize the park’s woodland trails and tracks, primarily on hard-packed surfaces. Runners must bring a head torch as the event takes place after dark. The courses are marked and marshalled, with professional first aid available at the start and finish. Fancy dress is encouraged. Race Harborough organizes the event, and the Halloween theme extends to the finish line: all participants receive a medal, free event photos, sweet treats, and a bag of Halloween chocolates.

Remembrance Run is a timed lap event held at Ferry Meadows, a country park situated just under three miles from Peterborough city centre. Participants select a six-hour duration starting at 9 am or a four-hour duration beginning at 11 am. They then complete 5.3K laps at a pace and volume they choose. The structure is intentionally flexible, allowing participants to run a single lap, complete a half-marathon distance, or continue towards ultra marathon distances. The course follows gravel footpaths through woodland, incorporating some grassy sections, offering more variety than a typical flat road circuit. Participants return to the central area after each lap, providing opportunities to stop, rest, and determine their next steps. Completing five laps constitutes the event’s standard “heavy half marathon,” and nine laps count as the standard ultra. Both distances can be extended on the day, and any runner starting a final lap before 5:59:59 will have it counted.

The Boston Santa Run brings runners and walkers dressed as Santas, in Christmas jumpers, and other festive costumes to Boston, Lincolnshire's town centre. This late-November 5K fun run prioritizes participation over speed; participants can walk, jog, or run, with tailwalkers ensuring no one is left behind. The route winds through Boston town centre, concluding in the Market Place with a revised layout designed for a smoother, more accessible experience for all. Trident Sports Events now manages the run, which has raised thousands of pounds for local causes since its inception. Recent fundraising efforts have benefited organizations such as Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance and Boston Samaritans. Participants also receive traditional festive rewards: reusable Santa hats, medals, goody bags, and a mince pie.

Bauble Bimble is a December race held at Ferry Meadows in Peterborough, located less than three miles from the city centre. Participants can select a 6-hour option starting at 9 am or a 4-hour option beginning at 11 am. Runners complete as many laps as desired before their allotted time expires. The structure is adaptable; runners may stop at 5K, progress to 10K, target a half or full marathon, or continue into ultra distances. Anyone departing Base Camp before 6:00:00 am will be permitted to complete one additional lap. The course consists of a 5.3K forest lap on gravel footpaths and grass, classifying it as a multi-terrain event rather than a road race. A standard half marathon requires five laps, with the possibility to extend to six or seven laps on the day. A standard ultra involves nine laps, with the option to increase to twelve if time permits. The race is part of the Zig Zag Family series, and its accommodating lap format attracts many participants aiming for their first official 5K, 10K, half marathon, or full marathon. One participant achieved both their first marathon and a personal best marathon time at this event in Peterborough.

The Kettering Christmas 10k & 5k is a festive running event held at Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire. Organized by GBR Run, it begins at 10:00 am from the NN15 6NJ section of the park. Participants can select the 10K or 5K race, which also features a 3K and a Kids Dash. The event focuses on seasonal running rather than a standard road race, encouraging participants to wear festive costumes. The races are chip-timed, with results verified and published from past editions. All finishers will receive a custom medal, and festive treats will be available post-run.

Run for Cake is a lapped running event with a cake theme, held at Ferry Meadows, a large country park located just under three miles from Peterborough city centre. Participants select either a 9:00 a.m. start for a six-hour duration or an 11:00 a.m. start for four hours. They then complete as many 5.3K laps as desired before the time limit expires. This format accommodates various distances, from a first official 5K or 10K to a marathon or ultra, as stopping after one lap is perfectly acceptable. The lap route follows forest paths, primarily gravel footpaths with some sections of grass, giving it the feel of a straightforward multi-terrain run rather than a technical trail race. Base Camp serves as the central point for the loop. Runners can rest between laps, utilize the aid station on each circuit, and begin another lap if they depart before the final cutoff time. A standard marathon covers eight laps, a half marathon typically involves five, and ultra runners often target nine or more. Navigation is simple, no mandatory equipment is needed, and the event is limited to 300 participants, ensuring a manageable and uncongested atmosphere.

Irchy Park Canicross is a 5K trail run for runners with dogs at Irchester Country Park in Northamptonshire, starting at 9am from near the top car park. It is a canicross event, meaning each runner covers the route with a four-legged partner. Race-day registration opens from 8am in a gazebo on the Little Meadow, where timing numbers or chips are collected. The course is marked and uses grass, dirt, and hard-packed tracks through the country park woodland. A staggered start provides runners and dogs with more space, with marshals, Race Harborough volunteers, and professional first aid covering the route. The event is suitable for experienced canicross pairs and newcomers, with experts available to offer advice. Finishers receive medals, leading runners get prizes, and dogs receive treats at the finish.

The Oundle 20 Mile, 10K & 5K are road races held in the historic market town of Oundle, Northamptonshire. The 20-mile race is designed for runners preparing for spring marathons, while the 10K and 5K offer shorter-distance options on the same race day. All three races begin at Oundle Primary School on a precisely measured course. The course winds through country lanes in and around Northamptonshire villages, featuring rolling terrain rather than flat city roads. The 20-mile race provides a substantial, structured challenge for those aiming for a marathon, and the shorter races cater to participants not running the full distance. Entry includes a custom medal and complimentary participant photos, with awards for top finishers.

The Kettering Half Marathon & 5k takes place on a Sunday morning, starting from Wicksteed Park in Kettering. It offers both a 21km half marathon and a 5km race. The half marathon begins at 9:00 AM, with the 5k starting soon after. The event is planned to conclude by 12:30 PM. The half marathon route uses closed roads, passing through Boughton House grounds and extending onto local country lanes. All finishers get a medal and post-race refreshments are available at the finish. The entry fee is £31 for the half marathon and £24 for the 5k, making it suitable as a main event or a shorter local run at the same location.

The Kettering Half Marathon & 5K begins and ends at Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire. The half marathon starts at 9:00 am, with the 5K beginning at 9:20 am. This Sunday morning road race offers two distances, chip timing, complimentary race photos, post-race refreshments, and a themed medal included with entry. The half marathon course is undulating, not flat, so runners should anticipate changes in pace throughout. The route departs Wicksteed Park, enters Kettering town centre, proceeds through the grounds of Boughton House, and then follows quieter country lanes before looping back to the park. Each kilometre is marked with distance flags, and marshals are stationed along the route to provide guidance and ensure participants proceed toward the finish.