5K races near Brevard

The Trick or Trail 5k & 1 Mile is a Halloween-themed run and walk in Hendersonville, offering both a 5K and a one-mile option. Presented by Aetna, the event begins and ends in the city’s Historic 7th Avenue District and is in its twelfth year. Costumes are encouraged, making the field a mix of road racers and a Halloween parade. The route guides participants through the Historic 7th Avenue District before finishing near the Fall Festival. Each participant receives a race shirt and a finisher medal. The event is suited for families, casual walkers, first-timers, and those seeking a low-pressure race with a costume-friendly atmosphere.

The Wicked Spooky 5k is a Halloween-themed brewery run in downtown Asheville, starting and finishing behind Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium on Federal Alley in the South Slope area. It is part of the Chasing Pints Running Series, a Western North Carolina collection of six brewery races with varying distances and a post-race beer included for runners 21 and older. The 5k emphasizes costumes alongside pace, with awards for the most creative, terrifying, or quirky outfits. Finisher medals and Wicked Weed beer are available back at the Funkatorium. The kids’ Creepy Crawly Climb is approximately a quarter mile, starting and finishing on Coxe Avenue, running up to Coxe and Hillard before returning, with medals for finishers and custom awards for the top spooky costumes.

The Shriners Children's Greenville Turkey Trot and Roll is a fall community race held at Trailblazer Park in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. The event features a 5K road course and a Family Fun Walk, allowing participants to run, walk, trot, or roll, making it accessible beyond just runners. The Family Fun Walk follows a path around the track, whereas the 5K route takes participants onto the road. Families, friends, and local supporters gather for the race, the event lawn, and the food truck area. All proceeds benefit Shriners Children's Greenville, supporting treatment for over 85 orthopedic conditions without regard to a family's financial situation or insurance coverage.

The South Asheville Turkey Trot, presented by Hunter Subaru, begins Thanksgiving morning in Biltmore Park Town Square. This annual 5K in Asheville, North Carolina, is a holiday run held before the day's main events. The course winds through the Biltmore Park neighborhood, using the town square as the starting and finishing point. Both local residents and visitors participate. The event also features a free fun run alongside the main race, contributing to a community morning atmosphere rather than a competitive 5K.

The Holiday Hustle is a December run/walk in Dexter, Michigan, featuring holiday lights and cold-weather race-day extras. The main event is a 5K, with a 1-mile dash for a shorter option, plus a half marathon and 13.1-mile relay. The 5K and mile route runs around Dexter through neighborhood light displays, incorporating local decorations into the course. The half marathon and relay start and finish at Erratic Ale Co., follow the B2B Trail out through Hudson Mills and back, and end near a fire pit, with cold beer available after the race. Entry includes chip timing, official results, a finisher medal, overall and age-group award eligibility, and post-race snacks.

The Sock It To Me Santa 5k is a holiday-themed 5k road race in Asheville, North Carolina. Entry fees support the Asheville High and Middle School band programs. The race uses a mass start, with all runners beginning together. The event is family-friendly, welcoming school groups and mixed-age crews. Runners 17 and under receive a discount, as do runners 65 and over. Groups of four or more can register at a reduced rate. Participants receive a custom knit hat or a race tee, fitting the Santa-run theme.

The Asheville Hot Chocolate Races begin and end at Isaac Dickson Elementary School in Asheville, North Carolina, with all races starting in the morning. The event offers adults and older children a 5K, 10K, or half marathon, while younger children can participate in the Kids 1K Hill Climb or the 100-yard Marshmallow Dash. This event benefits the Isaac Dickson Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization and has been a fixture in Western North Carolina’s winter running calendar since 2008. The course starts downhill, follows the French Broad River greenway through Asheville’s River Arts District for much of its length, and leads runners uphill to the finish. The series began with a 10K and a kids hill climb, later expanding into a more comprehensive family event with shorter children's races and longer adult distances. Participants completing the 5K, 10K, and half marathon receive shirts, custom bibs, and medals; children receive shirts, bibs, and ribbons. All participants receive hot chocolate from French Broad Chocolates, and the top adult finishers are awarded handmade commemorative mugs.

The Catamount Climb Half Marathon & 5K is a campus-based race at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina, with routes near the Tuckasegee River. Runners can choose either a 5K or a half marathon, accommodating both a shorter campus run and a longer race day. The event is hosted by Western Carolina University's School of Health Sciences and its Department of Campus Recreation & Wellness. The 5K stays entirely on campus, running through the heart of Western Carolina University with moderate elevation change. The half marathon starts on campus, leaves for a few miles, and then returns to campus for the finish. The race was formerly called Valley of the Lilies, and its proceeds support student professional development and academic scholarships. Every registered runner receives a shirt, bib, and sponsor materials, while half-marathon finishers also receive medals.