5K races near Cayuga Heights

The Run 4 All 5K & 1 Mile is a community run/walk held at Yaman Park in Cortland. It begins at 10:00 AM and offers both 5K and 1-mile distances. The event focuses on practical accessibility by maintaining lower entry fees and supporting two local organizations that address accessibility issues in Cortland County through donations and race proceeds. The 5K follows a two-loop path extending into the surrounding neighborhoods, and the 1-mile course also travels through nearby streets. Access To Independence and the Cortland YMCA are the joint organizers. A resource fair will be available on the day of the event, alongside the races. Participants can collect bibs and hats before the start. Parking is available at the park, and same-day registration will be accepted with cash payments.

The Able2 Guts & Grit 5k & 1-Miler welcomes runners, walkers, strollers, and rollers to Eldridge Park in Elmira, New York, offering a 5K run/walk and a one-mile walk/run. The 5K begins first, followed shortly by the one-mile event, accommodating both timed efforts and shorter community walks. Both distances share the same entry fee, with race-day bib pickup and registration available before the start. The event supports Able2, an organization assisting individuals with disabilities in developing talents and pursuing personal goals. This race, part of the Guts & Grit series, marks its sixth running, coinciding with Able2's over seventy years of service. Held at Eldridge Park on Eldridge Park Road, the event encourages broad participation, inviting competitive runners, casual walkers, families with strollers, and participants using rollers.

The Chemung County Senior Games Intergenerational 5K Run/Walk takes place on a fall morning at the Town of Horseheads Sports Complex on Wygant Road in Horseheads, New York. The race begins at 9:00 a.m. EDT, covers the standard 5K distance, and is open to runners and walkers age 18 and older. The Chemung County Department of Aging and Long Term Care organizes this event as part of the Senior Games. It features an intergenerational format designed to have adults of different ages start together. Costumes are encouraged, with awards and gift certificates presented to the best male and female costumes.

The Run and Hops 5K is a 5k run/walk held in Dundee, New York. It begins at the American Legion and is connected to a local Oktoberfest. The race starts at 10 am, with registration open from 9 am on race day. The event continues into the afternoon. It is designed for runners, joggers, and walkers, not exclusively competitive racers. Adult participants can enjoy beer tastings, while those under age can sample root beer, birch beer, and ginger ale. Following the 5k, the day transitions into a community festival featuring food trucks, local breweries, craft vendors, and family activities. A hatchet-throwing competition with a double-elimination bracket and prizes is also part of the event. The race supports PAWS FOR VETS, which is associated with the Wounded Warrior Project, and the Dundee Area United Fund, benefiting local nonprofit organizations. A past event raised $1,000 for veteran suicide prevention and $1,000 for the Dundee Area United Fund.

Run Like A Rhino is a family-friendly 5K and 10K held in Horseheads, New York, starting at 170 Huck Finn Road. The races begin in the morning. Both in-person distances will be officially timed by Falcon Race Timing, and a virtual option is available for those wishing to support the event from afar. The race raises money for Border Buddies Ministries, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating in Honduras. Event funds will support rebuilding classrooms in Tegucigalpa, and the ministry also provides medical and dental care to communities in the region.

The Dana Point Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving Day race held in Dana Point Harbor, featuring a 5K as its main distance. This USA Track & Field-certified event also includes a 10K, a Combo 15K, and a Kids' 1-Mile Gobble Wobble. The event has been held for nearly five decades, establishing itself as one of the largest turkey trots in the United States. Participants can enter a costume contest, browse a health and fitness expo, and contribute to local charities by running.

The Dryden Ugly Sweater 5K is a 5K run/walk in Dryden starting at the historic Dryden Hotel, a local landmark from the mid-1800s. Participants are encouraged to wear ugly sweaters or other costume gear. All receive a Team Santa or Team Grinch long-sleeve shirt, a jingle bell bracelet, and a finisher medal. The route largely follows the new Dryden Rail Trail. The event supports the trail’s revenue fund, with donations and part of the proceeds allocated to trail maintenance and improvements. Following the race, participants return to the Dryden Hotel for complimentary post-race food, a warm beverage, and beer specials.

The Ithaca YMCA Jingle Jog and Family Fun Mile begins and ends at Stewart Park Pavilion in Ithaca, New York. It features a chip-timed 5K Run/Walk, followed by a noncompetitive Family Fun Mile geared toward children and families. Virtual entries are available for both distances, and the in-person race proceeds regardless of weather. The event marks the beginning of the holiday season. Participants can wear costumes for prize eligibility, meet characters like Santa, and enjoy cookies and cocoa at the finish. Early registrants receive a commemorative race T-shirt. All proceeds benefit the YMCA Membership Assistance Program, providing access to YMCA programs for local individuals and families.