5K races near Columbus

Columbus Miles And River Trails

Columbus hosts 96 5K races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.

Locals run the Scioto Mile, Olentangy Trail, Goodale Park, Schiller Park, and the paths around Antrim Park when they want easy base miles. The Scioto Mile route covers 17 miles with 93 feet of elevation, and you'll be running next to and over the river the whole time. Columbus Running Company keeps Saturday runs year-round at 8 am, with people logging 1 to 20 miles. Short North Running Club meets weekly for 3-5 miles with drinks after. The Columbus 10K presented by Barbasol and Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon are the big anchor races.

Locals ride the river paths first, because the Scioto Mile and Olentangy Trail are excellent for Z2 and no-drama spins. The Downtown Connector Trail, Camp Chase Trail, Ohio to Erie trail, and old 161 road from New Albany to Johnstown handle a lot of weekday miles. Columbus Outdoor Pursuits runs groups from A at 21+ avg down to C at 13-14, and TCC, GCC, Trek Dublin, Trek Westerville, Major Taylor Cycling Club, Ohio Gravel Grinders, and Black Girls Do Bike - Columbus all add options. The climbs show up around Worthington Hills, Highbanks Metro Park, Kiwanis Riverway park, and north in Amish country.

Spring and Fall are the sweet spots for both sports, with milder weather and fewer extremes. Summer is warm and muggy, so locals start early, keep bottles close, and respect thunderstorms that can bring lightning and large hail. Pelotonia Ride Weekend lands on August 1-2 in 2026, so late summer still has a big anchor event for the bike crowd. Winter is cold and dry with relatively light snowfall, and runners keep using parks and paved trails when footing allows. Cyclists shift toward proper lighting, shorter loops, trainer work, and steady Z2 when the roads are clear.