5K races near Cave Spring

The Anxious for Nothing 5K Color Run is a 5 km running event in Bedford, Virginia. It takes place at Falling Creek Park on County Farm Road, starting at 10:00 a.m. on an October morning and concluding by noon. The race follows the color-run format, focusing on a short, accessible run where color is incorporated into the experience, rather than a long-distance competition. Registration is available via a flyer QR code or the RunSignup race page. The start at Falling Creek Park provides a clear meeting point for participants in Bedford.

The Jaunt for Justice 5K is a run-or-walk event in Roanoke, Virginia, held on the Roanoke River Greenway at River's Edge Sports Complex - North. Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC and the Roanoke Valley Paralegal Association organize this annual race. Proceeds benefit the Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley, a nonprofit providing legal services to those unable to afford them. The morning features a children's 0.5K Fun Run preceding the 5K, followed by a medal ceremony. In-person 5K participants receive a raffle entry, with additional chances available on race day. Prizes are sourced from local businesses. RND Coffee will offer coffee and fresh donuts after the event concludes.

The NCS Take the Hill 5K is an annual cross-country race held at North Cross School in Roanoke, Virginia. It begins and ends on the red barn field on campus. The primary race is a chip-timed 5K run along the NCS Ridgeline Course, a challenging trail route by local standards. The event also features a 5K walk and an untimed 0.8-mile Kids' Fun Run. Proceeds benefit the North Cross School Parents' Association. Participants compete on the Ridgeline Course for overall, masters, and age-group medals. Walkers follow the same 5K route but without timing or competitive awards. The Kids' Fun Run is for ages 2 to 12, with North Cross cross-country runners guiding the children and ensuring no one is left behind. Parents may accompany their children. All child finishers receive a participation medal, and the top three finishers are recognized. The event includes bounce houses, face painting, and other activities for children.

The Doggie Dash is a dog-friendly race held in conjunction with the Indianapolis Monumental Mile in downtown Indianapolis. It is designed for runners and walkers accompanied by their dogs. Each participant receives a doggie bandana, a race shirt, bib, finisher medal, downtown parking voucher, and a post-race beverage. The start and finish lines are located less than two blocks apart, facilitating packet pickup, spectating other races, and reaching the start line with a dog. Beyond Monumental donates $5 from each Doggie Dash registration to Friends of Indy Animals. This organization collaborates with Indianapolis Animal Care Services to promote the safety, health, and adoption of homeless animals in the city. Participants have the option to register for additional mile waves or the 5K, with each distance or wave requiring a separate bib.

The West End Center's 5K Spooky Sprint is a Halloween-season 5K held in Roanoke, Virginia, in late October. The West End Center organizes the race, which has a casual spooky theme rather than a formal championship style. The listing provides no course map, elevation profile, or participant numbers. The useful facts are simple: it is a Roanoke road race with one 5K category. RaceEntry marks the page information as dependent on what the race provides, and the listing currently has no runner reviews.

Getting Scary on the Huckleberry is a Halloween-themed 5K in Christiansburg, Virginia, hosted by Christiansburg Parks and Recreation. The race starts and finishes at the Christiansburg Recreation Center, and runners often wear costumes. After the 5K, Parks and Recreation staff serve free breakfast for participants. The morning also includes Truck or Treat, where vehicles from Christiansburg Fire, Police, Public Works, and other local departments park behind the Recreation Center so kids and adults can see them up close and climb around.

On Thanksgiving morning in Roanoke, Virginia, the Drumstick Dash sends thousands of people through downtown to raise money for the Rescue Mission of Roanoke. It is a 5K run and family walk, open through race morning, and local organizers describe it as the area’s most popular race. The event supports a mission that serves three meals a day, every day, and provides more than 200,000 meals a year to people in need. The Dash started as a fundraiser and awareness event for people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Its field includes runners, walkers, families, and community groups, with participation expected to approach 8,000 people. The Thanksgiving setting matters here: race staff describe it as a morning when people come together to run, walk, and support neighbors before the holiday meal. The Rescue Mission also runs a Manna Food Pantry box program, giving sheltered families 50 to 70 pounds of food every 30 days.

The SML Turkey Trot takes place Thanksgiving morning at Smith Mountain Lake State Park, featuring a 5K suitable for families and a 1-mile run for children. Organized by LAT Wellness Studio, it is presented as the area's sole turkey trot, welcoming both runners and walkers on its asphalt course. Children are especially invited to participate. The event maintains a lighthearted atmosphere with awards for leading runners and for the most festive turkey family costume. A part of the funds supports the state park, shirts are assured for those who sign up by the October deadline, and awards for runners commence later in the morning.

The Osprey 10K Run / 5K Run-Walk takes place at Smith Mountain Lake State Park, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Participants can choose between a 10K run or a 5K run-walk. This event is organized by Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Inc., a volunteer 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the park. The course follows park roadways, allowing participants to race through the Smith Mountain Lake environment instead of urban streets. The event is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. All proceeds benefit park programs, such as environmental stewardship and educational initiatives.