5K races near Bowie

Glen Burnie Improvement Association 5K RUN & FUN WALK starts from the Glen Burnie Carnival Grounds. Connect with neighbors and get active.

The Fall Foliage 5k & 10k begins at Constitution Park in Waynesboro, Virginia, during the autumn leaf season. Participants can select either a 5k or a 10k, accommodating those seeking a brief community run and those preferring a longer morning race. The route winds through Waynesboro neighborhoods and follows the South River Greenway, featuring autumn colors and fallen leaves. Aid stations are provided, participants receive a race-day shirt, and a food-and-drink gathering follows the finish. The Fall Foliage Art Festival, featuring artists nationwide, takes place downtown the same weekend.

The MoCo CARES Charity Race begins at 7503 Muncaster Mill Road in Gaithersburg, Maryland, offering 1.6 km, 5 km, and 10 km distances. This local charity run, organized by So What Else and Covenant Life School, focuses on fundraising for local charities and assisting children and families in need throughout Montgomery County. The course features short-distance paths arranged by volunteers, including a route similar to a 1-mile run and a 5K route. Local families, businesses, volunteers, and Companies Who CARE participate in the event. Capital Youth Outreach Club collaborates with So What Else for service support. Volunteers manage the event's logistics, such as setting up signs and booths, encouraging runners, ensuring children's safety, participating in a post-race service project, and assisting with cleanup. Formerly known as the LaunchCARES Charity Race, it originated as a small community gathering before growing into a county-wide initiative aimed at combating hunger.

The second edition runs through Druid Hill Park, a historic public park. The course follows tree-lined paths and open green spaces, with clear signs and marshals. A themed medal, chip-timed results, and free race photos are included. Marshals will provide guidance and encouragement.

The Red Shoe 5k is a 5 km run/walk held in Forest Heights, Maryland. The race begins at Capital Canopy on National Plaza and marks the event's 16th year. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House. This event welcomes participants beyond competitive runners. Walkers are welcome in the main 5k, and a Kids Fun Run is available for children. The focus on charity provides the day with a distinct objective, as families and community members gather for a short race that is straightforward and suitable for various age groups.

Run Like Michael centers on Michael’s 5K Run For Life, a July race connected to Michael’s Run for Life Festival in Peoria. Packet pickup is handled at RC Outfitters on SW Water Street before race day, and on-site registration is available at the festival. The run was created because Michael loved running, and it supports the foundation’s fight against signet ring colon cancer. The event’s message is direct: a large group of people can take on hard problems together. The race gathers runners and supporters around that cause, rather than around a complicated course or elite field.

The DC SAFE 5k & Half is a Sunday morning race in Washington, DC, starting at 7:30 AM EDT from the Canal Road area near Georgetown. Runners can choose either a 5K or a half marathon, and walkers are welcome, accommodating those seeking a longer effort and those preferring a shorter outing. Both distances utilize the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal path, remaining near the Potomac and the historic canal corridor. The half marathon begins and concludes near the Potomac Boat Club in Georgetown, while the 5K starts and finishes at Fletcher’s Boat House further up Canal Road. Virtual options are also available, with choices including a medal, a medal and shirt, or neither.