5K races near DeWitt

Miles for Mentorship is a 5K walk or run at Hawk Island, starting and finishing at the Red Tail Shelter. This is the sixth annual edition and it supports Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region, with proceeds funding one-to-one mentoring relationships for local youth. The 5K follows an out-and-back course and is chip timed by the Michigan Running Foundation, with results posted during the race and online. Children age 12 and under can participate in the free Spooky Sprint Kids Run, where Halloween costumes are encouraged and every finisher receives a treat bag and medal. A virtual 5K option is also available for those who wish to support the event without attending in person at Hawk Island.

The MiCHN 5K & 1-mile run/walk takes place entirely within the Michigan State Capitol Complex in Lansing, utilizing concrete sidewalks and paved paths. It features a 5K run/walk beginning in the morning, followed an hour later by a 1-mile run/walk, accommodating families and walkers as integral participants. The 5K follows a three-loop course around the Capitol complex, allowing spectators to easily track runners and participants to anticipate the route. The event supports Homeschool Day At The Dome, uses RunSignup for registration, offers age-based pricing for children, teens, and adults, and provides shirts for early registrants. Awards are presented to the top three male and female finishers in age groups ranging from young children to those over 40.

Pick your allegiance: Team Blue or Team Green? This run/walk lets you declare your loyalty with a corresponding shirt. Signage and volunteers will guide and cheer you. Afterward, unwind at the Wellness Center, try the 360 degree indoor sky track or the 89 degree therapy pool. Gather your Sororities, Fraternities, or Running Groups for a discount!

Dragons in the Woods guides participants onto the Birchfield Park trails in Holt for a demanding autumn trail race. Now in its 13th year, the event accommodates both experienced trail runners and families aiming to complete the course at a run-walk pace. All proceeds benefit Island City Academy, a charter school in Eaton Rapids. Trophies are awarded to the overall and Masters champions, divided by gender. Age-group winners receive pint glasses, adding a local, relaxed character distinct from typical award ceremonies.

The Barn Run is a New England trail race series centered on working farms, offering spring and fall events in Dover, Massachusetts. It is presented as New England's first and only farm-based trail race series, with each event providing runners a choice of distances instead of a single set format. The courses guide runners past farm fields and onto forest trails, featuring races at Powissett Farm with short and longer options including 5k, 10k, 25k, and 26k distances. Spectators can enjoy farm attractions while runners are on course, and the series also highlights local farm programs and initiatives. Sun Multisport Events, an endurance event company based in Massachusetts, produces the races.

The Haunted 5K, 10K, 13.1M & 26.2M is a late-October running event in Lansing, Michigan, offering four distances: 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. All races begin at 9:30 AM. Advance registration is required through RunSignup, as there is no race-day signup available on site. The courses are straightforward out-and-backs. The 5K completes one loop, the 10K completes two, the half marathon completes four, and the marathon completes eight. Packet pickup is available 30 minutes before the start and concludes 10 minutes prior. Participants should anticipate a park vehicle fee upon entry, charged per car, not per person.

The Playmakers Ghostly Gallop guides participants around Uncle John's farm in Saint Johns, Michigan, offering a 5K Run/Walk, a BOO Dash, and a 1 Mile Kids XC Race. This event is centered on Halloween-season racing, with the 5K taking place entirely off-road, giving it a cross-country feel rather than a street race. The course winds through corn stalks, pumpkin patches, and apple orchards, providing open farm vistas. Families are central to the event, with two short race options for children and cider and donuts available at the finish. Post-race activities include access to the taproom, tractor rides, a corn maze, live music, and food trucks. The Ghostly Gallop name carries local historical significance, with a 5K version previously supporting the Hudson Area Library as a fundraiser.

The Woldumar Trail Run is an annual early-morning trail event at Woldumar Nature Center in Delta Township, Michigan. Runners and walkers use natural paths through the woods and along the Grand River, making the race feel like a run through the center’s land rather than a road race adjacent to a park. The event is the nature center’s largest fundraiser of the year, attracting about 250 participants. It originated from an idea by members and volunteers. The field now includes adults on the main trail routes and younger runners in the Delta Dental Muskrat Mile, a one-mile course designed for aspiring athletes.

The Silver Bells 5K Race is a 5K run-or-walk through downtown Lansing, Michigan, held during the holiday season in conjunction with Silver Bells in the City, Lansing's main holiday event. The race begins at 9:00 AM Eastern and is open to participants aged 99 and under. It is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network, with proceeds benefiting the Chris and Louise Holman Foundation and Silver Bells in the City. The course is a marked 5K within downtown Lansing. Packet pickup for the race takes place on the Capitol Lawn, and street parking is available free of charge on City of Lansing streets. The event includes a costume contest with categories for holiday traditional, festive sweater, and holiday movie. Contestants check in at the Blue Cross Blue Shield tent before the race. Awards are given to the top three finishers in each five-year age group. The event has raised over $58,000 for local organizations assisting at-risk youth in Mid-Michigan.

The Lansing Turkey Trot begins Thanksgiving morning on Grand Ave outside the Gannon Building at Lansing Community College. This 5K run/walk takes place in downtown Lansing, Michigan, drawing over 5,000 participants from Michigan and other regions. The start is intentionally flexible: runners and walkers may cross the starting line within a brief period after 9 a.m., with chip timing commencing only upon reaching the mats. Faster runners should position themselves toward the front, while walkers and families can start farther back and proceed at their own rhythm. The 3.1-mile route commences and concludes at Lansing Community College, crossing Downtown Lansing and passing the State Capitol Christmas Tree. The race accommodates a diverse range of participants, from competitive runners aiming for overall, masters, grand masters, and age-group awards to families incorporating it into their holiday morning walk. Long-sleeve race shirts are a customary element, and a virtual participation option is available, including a mailed shirt and bib for those unable to attend in person. The event serves as the primary fundraiser for the Michigan Running Foundation, with funds and contributions benefiting youth running programs throughout Michigan.

The Ugly Sweater 5k is a holiday-themed 5k fun run offered both in-person and virtually. Participants can register, don their festive attire, and use the event as a relaxed way to stay active during winter while fundraising for food relief. The in-person race benefits local food banks, such as the Greater Lansing Food Bank, while virtual participants support Feeding America. The cause is a core focus: race information highlights a significant increase in U.S. food insecurity, affecting millions and particularly children. The event welcomes runners, walkers, and those seeking festive exercise, not solely competitive racers, making the ugly sweater a key element.