5K races near Albemarle

The Uwharrie Brewing Firehouse 5K & 1 Mile Run/Walk is a family-friendly run and walk held at Uwharrie Brewing in Albemarle, North Carolina. It offers a 5K, a virtual 5K, and a 1-mile option. This is the event's second year and it coincides with Fire Prevention Week, distinguishing it from a typical road race. Runners, walkers, and strollers are welcome, contributing to a community gathering atmosphere rather than a competitive-only event. The run honors the old Firehouse, Uwharrie Brewing Firehouse Red, and the Albemarle Fire Department. Post-race activities include fire safety demonstrations, games, face painting, coloring books, free ice cream, and drinks. Participants over 21 receive a complimentary Uwharrie beer, with non-alcoholic options available for all.

The Journey 5K & Family Fun Run and Walk is a 5K run/walk held at Frank Liske Park in Concord, North Carolina. It begins at 10 a.m. and includes a virtual option for those unable to attend in person. The Journey Collective Inc. organizes the event, focusing on women’s wellness across spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial aspects. The race honors the memory of Audrey L. Ward. It is designed for a wide range of participants, not exclusively competitive runners. Women, men, families, children, walkers, supporters, and pets are welcome. The entry fee remains the same for both in-person and virtual participation.

Race for Peace, or Carrera por la Paz, is a morning 5K run/walk at La Villita Park on Chicago’s South Side, located at 2800 S Sacramento Ave. The Little Village Rotary Club organizes this event to raise funds for youth programs in Little Village and nearby communities, with the race centered on an anti-violence and peace message. Participants can select a competitive 5K that begins first or a non-competitive 5K run/walk that follows shortly after. The event is local and accessible: the park entrance and lot are reached from South Albany Ave, offering free on-site parking, street parking, nearby CTA bus stops, and the Pink Line about a mile away. Competitive runners can compete for cash prizes, with awards for the top three men and women. All registered participants receive a finisher medal and a race-day shirt. Packets are available for pickup on race morning, and volunteers can hold personal belongings during the race.

The Old Armor 5K for Heroes is a 5K race held in Kannapolis, North Carolina. It starts in Downtown Kannapolis and is associated with Old Armor Beer Company on West Avenue. This race is part of the Run Kannapolis series, concluding the local race schedule. Participants of all ages and abilities, including runners and walkers, are welcome. The event is structured to encourage broad community involvement, not just elite athletes. All funds raised benefit W.A.R. (Warriors Always Rise), a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and first responders.

The Gobbler 5K, 10K, 13.1M & 26.2M begins at 9:30 AM from the Dogwood Shelter in Concord, North Carolina. Runners can choose from 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon distances, all held on the same race morning. Advance registration is required via RunSignup, as no race-day sign-ups are available. Packet pickup is open from 30 minutes before the start until 10 minutes prior. The course offers shade and is primarily paved, with a single section of gravel or dirt. All race distances follow out-and-back designs. The 5K consists of a single 3.11-mile loop. The 10K involves completing this loop twice. The half marathon uses a 3.28-mile out-and-back segment repeated four times, and the marathon repeats this longer segment eight times. A six-hour time limit is in effect for the longer races, emphasizing consistent lap completion. The shorter races utilize the same straightforward course layout.

Race with heart at the 5K that empowers girls and builds a brighter future. Your participation invests in our community. Alumni, return to the starting line for a special bib. The Kid's Dash offers young supporters the joy of crossing a finish line. Proceeds from this Girls on the Run of the Greater Piedmont 5K go towards financial assistance, helping girls activate their potential and confidently cross the finish line.

The Old North State Turkey Trot is a 5K run and walk held on Thanksgiving morning. Now in its 14th year, the setup is straightforward: pay a $20 entry fee, receive a long-sleeve Turkey Trot shirt, and join a family-friendly group of runners, walkers, stroller users, and others primarily attending for the holiday shirt. The race also functions as a food-bank fundraiser, linking the day to giving as much as running. All who register by the shirt deadline are guaranteed their shirt on race day. Donors can add a personal name or company logo to the back of the shirts and will also receive free tees.

The Holiday race in Concord, North Carolina, begins at the Dogwood Shelter at 9:30 AM, featuring four distances: 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. All participants must register in advance via RunSignup; there is no race-day registration, and packet pickup is limited to a short period before the start. The course is shaded and primarily paved, with a single section of gravel or dirt. Each distance follows an out-and-back format: the 5K is completed once, the 10K twice, the half marathon four times, and the marathon eight times. The six-hour time limit is most relevant for the longer distances, where runners focus on completing multiple laps rather than a single continuous course.

Locust Lucky Leprechaun is an annual 5K run/walk in Locust, North Carolina, a short drive from Charlotte and Concord. It starts and finishes in Locust Town Center, uses chip timing, and incorporates a St. Patrick's Day theme with green outfits, shamrock race bibs, and socks for the first 100 registered runners. The course is fast and mostly flat, running through Locust Town Center and the nearby neighborhood on a marked route led by @excitebikes. Awards are given by 10-year age groups from 10 and under through 70+, prizes go to the best dressed leprechaun, finish-line sweets are provided by Sassy Cakes, and proceeds support the Stanly County YMCA's West Stanly Senior Center.