5K races near Cayce

Costumes are part of the start-line routine at Nightmare In Elmwood 5k, a Halloween 5K and fun run in Columbia, South Carolina. The race is run around Halloween in the historic Elmwood Park area, with a 5 km option and a shorter kids fun run of about 1.6 km. It is still a young neighborhood event, but it has already drawn more than 520 participants. The course starts near 2204 Park Street and runs through Elmwood Park, close to downtown Columbia. Families, kids, runners in costume, and even dogs are part of the crowd. The neighborhood adds Halloween decorations, the event includes a costume contest, and volunteers get “skeleton crew” shirts while helping with race-day jobs.

The Run Hard Half Marathon, 10k & 5k is a race series held on the same morning at Lexington County Baseball Stadium in Lexington, South Carolina. This stadium is the home of the Lexington County Blowfish. Participants can select the half marathon, the Run Hard 10k, or the Toby K 5k. The races start at different times in the morning, with the longest race beginning first. All three courses are USATF-certified, providing an accurately measured distance for runners. Packet pickup is available the day before the race at Fleet Feet Lexington and on race morning at the stadium. Race-day registration is open until a cutoff time in the early morning. The half marathon begins and ends at the baseball stadium. Parking is located nearby, so the event does not provide a bag drop. Half marathon participants can choose pacers ranging from 1:30 to 2:30 finish times. This setup accommodates runners aiming for a specific time and those new to the distance. Half marathon finishers will receive a custom medal. Early registrants may also receive a free beanie, depending on availability. Awards are presented to the top three overall finishers, masters runners, and age groups. The 10k and 5k offer shorter distances for those who prefer a race morning at the stadium without running 13.1 miles.

The Ugly Sweater 5K is an annual holiday-season run/walk supporting the Manheim Township Cross Country Booster Club. Participants can choose between a 5K Run/Walk or a 1 Mile Fun Run for a shorter option. The event embraces the holiday theme with participants encouraged to wear ugly sweaters. Holiday music, hot chocolate, soup, and cookies will be available. Proceeds benefit Manheim Township cross country athletes and coaches, with support from local sponsors.

The Buffalo Memorial Run for Digits and Needle is an annual 5K in Lexington, South Carolina. It begins at 8:30 AM Eastern and concludes around 10:00 AM. The race commemorates Dianne Sullivan Wells, known as Digits within the FiA group, who was a Lexington runner and the founder of the Running Wild group. The name originates from the concept of buffaloes gathering and facing storms collectively. This imagery became a way for her friends and the local running community to express solidarity after her passing during a December run. Local FiA and F3 groups held a prayer circle following Dianne’s death, and Running Wild continues to meet. Consequently, the race is closely linked to the individuals who ran with her, rather than solely to a course or distance.

Cupid's Chase 5K Columbia begins at 10 a.m. in Maxcy Gregg Park, offering a later start for a local 5K. This race is part of Community Options' national Cupid's Chase series, which holds similar events across the country to fund programs and housing for individuals with disabilities. The Columbia event is accessible to runners, walkers, wheelchair users, and those with strollers. It welcomes participants, sponsors, and fundraisers, designed as a community event rather than solely a competition for elite runners. The course is a certified, chip-timed 5K, an out-and-back route through Shandon that is generally fast. Results will be posted shortly after the race concludes. This event has been held for over ten years. All finishers receive a medal and a Cupid's Chase drawstring bag, subject to availability. Awards extend beyond the top overall finishers; the top three male and female runners get trophies, and winners in each age group receive medals. Leashed pets are permitted, and the event is also known for its notable door prizes and awards.