5K races near Affton

The Oktoberfest 5K offers a memorable race experience.

The St. Mary's Oktoberfest 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run begins the festival weekend with a Friday evening race starting at Langdon and East 3rd Street. Participants can select the 5K, or opt for the 1-mile fun run designed for families and casual runners, which commences five minutes after the 5K. Registration provides a finisher medal, a T-shirt, and a complimentary soda or beer ticket. The race is directly linked to the St. Mary's fall festival, with funds raised benefiting the school and parish. Following the run, attendees can enjoy polkas, German cuisine, inflatables, and live music scheduled throughout Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers, alongside age-group prizes ranging from 9-and-under to 70-plus. The total prize value exceeds $500.

The Harvest Moon Run is a flat, paved 5K run and walk at Route 66 State Park, beginning after dark at 7:00 PM CDT. This annual community race features a practical nighttime setup: 5K participants receive a long-sleeve shirt and an Energizer headlight. The event is operated by a volunteer 501(c)(3) charity. The course is simple and accessible, suitable for walkers, first-time 5K runners, families, and competitive age-group runners. Proceeds benefit local hunger missions, and the race encourages participants to bring canned or boxed food for its “Fill the Ford with Food” drive. Children have their own free Fun Run before the 5K, with awards for the Mini Moonie Dash, Moonie 1/2 Mile, and Moonie Mile. The 5K awards medals to overall and age-group winners, from youth runners through the 70-plus field. Fred Bird attends before the start, contributing to the evening's local festival atmosphere.

The Families Run for Ovarian Cancer ROC Star 5k & 1-Mile Run/Walk takes place on a Sunday in October at Tower Grove Park. It features a timed 5k run/walk and a 1-mile fun run/walk. Participants unable to attend in person can select the ROC from Home option. Registration begins on World Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day. The event originated with the Jorgensen family, honoring Brenda, their wife, mother, and Nana, during her battle with ovarian cancer. The day aims to raise awareness for ovarian cancer, provide support for survivors, and commemorate those lost to the disease. Each registration includes a limited edition shirt, subject to availability. ROC from Home shirts will be mailed after the in-person event for an additional shipping fee.

The St. Louis Hot Cider Hustle is an October running event offering 5K and 10K distances, along with virtual 5K and 10K options for those who prefer to run elsewhere. Participants registered for the main races receive a race shirt, hot cider, a caramel apple, and a finisher mug, aligning with the event's name. The available facts do not list specific streets or landmarks on the course, but the format is clear: select the 5K or 10K distance, run it in person or virtually, and conclude with cider-themed giveaways. Families are welcome, as the event features an untimed 12-and-under kids' division that includes its own bib, mug, caramel apple, and hot apple cider.

The Rayni Day Miracles 5K is a mass start running race, perfect for enjoying the energy of running alongside everyone.

Spooky Sprint St. Louis is a Halloween-themed running event in the St. Louis area offering distances for nearly all types of participants: a kids dash, untimed 1 mile, 5k, 10k, half marathon, virtual race, and a Volunteer then Run option. It is designed for families as much as runners aiming for a specific time, with youth pricing for the 5k and 10k and a free kids dash option for children not wanting the shirt and medal package. The in-person races begin together in the morning, with packet pickup beforehand and live results available post-race. The timed events use chip timing and include awards, while the 1 mile and kids dash remain low-pressure. Registrations typically include a custom bib, designer shirt, and finisher medal, with a mini bib and youth-sized shirt for the kids dash. Finish-line treats, free race photos, and the virtual option contribute to a casual holiday run atmosphere rather than a competitive race-day production.

The Great GO! St. Louis Halloween Race is a fall race weekend in Eureka, Missouri, focusing on Halloween costumes alongside finish times. Participants can select a half marathon, 10K, 5K, or 1-mile fun run, accommodating those aiming for 13.1 miles, families on a short outing, and anyone seeking a costume-friendly race day.

The Junior League of Saint Louis Cinnamon Roll 5K is a timed morning 5K run or walk held in Tower Grove Park in St. Louis. The race begins at the Sons of Rest Pavilion near the Grand Avenue entrance. Packet pickup is available prior to the event at the Junior League headquarters in Kirkwood or at the park on race morning. Though the race series is new, it centers on a long-standing local treat: JLSL’s homemade cinnamon rolls, a St. Louis tradition since the 1940s. All finishers receive cinnamon rolls, coffee, and post-race refreshments. The top three male and female finishers earn medals and a dozen Junior League of STL cinnamon rolls. The event also features a Kids’ “Fun Dough Dash,” a 200-yard run for children aged 2 to 10, with all young finishers receiving a medal. Registration proceeds benefit childhood education in St. Louis through organizations like Girls Inc., Operation Food Search, LifewiseSTL, and KidSmart, aiming to raise $10,000. Dogs are not allowed, making this event focused on people, pastries, and a park run.

The Coyote Crawl 5K and Head for the Hills 10K offer participants two distance options within Bellefontaine Cemetery, Missouri's first Level III Arboretum. These timed, in-person races begin in the morning and are limited to 250 participants due to parking constraints. A virtual option allows individuals to run either distance on a personal route within the event timeframe. The course winds through Bellefontaine's 314 acres, a historic Garden Cemetery west of the Mississippi and the burial site of 87,000 individuals. For safety, bicycles are prohibited on the course. Awards are presented to the top three male and female finishers in each race. Proceeds benefit Friends of Bellefontaine initiatives, such as Angels Rest, historic preservation, and educational tours.

Eckert's Belleville Farm Wine Run Turkey Trot 5k is a Thanksgiving-themed 5k run/walk at Eckert's Belleville Farm in Belleville, Illinois. It is run annually, with chip timing for those seeking an official result and a relaxed setup for walkers or anyone primarily there for the farm and the wine. The course remains on the Belleville farm property, offering an orchard-and-farm landscape instead of city streets. Registration includes a race bib, a soft cotton T-shirt, a portable shatterproof wine glass, a wine-glass-shaped finisher medal, and a pour of wine. J3 Timing scores the race and posts results online. The event also highlights Eckert's focus on sustainable farming practices, including soil care, efficient use of farm resources, public health, and working conditions for farm laborers.