5K races near Dunn

The Feel the Burn 5K & 10K is an evening road race benefiting the Princeton Volunteer Fire Department. Both the 5K and 10K races begin at 6:00 PM, with check-in available from 4:30 PM. Participants can select a USATF-certified 5K or a 10K. The event supports a fire department that relies solely on volunteers. The 10K course consists of running the 5K route twice. Awards are presented to the top two male and female finishers in each race within age categories ranging from under 14 to 60 and over. This structure accommodates participants of all ages, not just elite runners. Runners registering by the early deadline will receive a shirt, and early registration offers reduced fees for both distances.

The I Thought Turkeys Could Fly 5k is a November 5K held in Dunn, North Carolina. It starts at 8:00 a.m. on North General Lee Avenue, near Tyler Park. The race begins and ends in the same location and is chip-timed, providing runners with an official recorded result. The certified course is designed for speed, featuring only 56 feet of elevation change and a downhill finish. This marks the race's second year, and its proceeds benefit the local Toys for Tots chapter, giving this small-town 5K a distinct community purpose beyond the timing results.

The Hiester Cares 5K Run-Walk is a single-distance run or walk held entirely on the Fuquay-Varina High School campus in North Carolina. The Hiester Cares Foundation organizes it to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and offers participants a USATF-certified 5K course. The route stays within the school grounds and mostly uses broad sidewalks, making the setup compact and easy to follow. Over 700 runners have participated throughout the event's history, contributing to over $350,000 raised for suicide prevention. Finishers can compete for overall male and female awards, as well as age-group awards from 15-and-under through 70-plus. Registered participants receive a race shirt and swag bag.

The Holly Springs Half Marathon, 10K & 5K begins near the stadium at Ting Park, within the North Main Athletic Complex in Holly Springs, North Carolina. This annual road race offers half marathon, 10K, and 5K distances, along with ruck divisions for each. The course presents runners with a combination of rolling hills, flatter sections, neighborhood streets, greenway trails, and a run down Main Street, avoiding a monotonous out-and-back on empty pavement. All races start with a descent from Ting Park toward North Main Street, then encounter the rolling hills of Anchor Creek in the initial mile before reaching Middle Creek Greenway. The half marathon proceeds south through Bridgewater, Windcrest, Sunset Ridge, Veterans Park, Jones Park, the historic district, Main Street, and Womble Park. In Womble Park, participants navigate a figure-eight loop before rejoining the greenway around mile seven. The half marathon then follows Middle Creek Greenway for approximately five miles, with turnarounds at both extremities, before returning via Anchor Creek Way for the final mile to the finish. The 10K and 5K share the same initial section and enter Middle Creek Greenway, providing shorter-distance runners a sample of the varied terrain.

Participants should bring at least five canned food items, as the Gobble Waddle combines a Thanksgiving-season race with a local donation drive. This event offers a 5K run/walk and a 10K run, presented by HealthQuest Fitness and Wellness Center. It includes timing for runners and a fun-walk option for those preferring a more relaxed pace. The event is designed for a wide local audience: strollers are permitted, leashed dogs are welcome, and youth under 17 will receive a finisher prize. Registration includes a shirt, medal, snacks, water, timing services, and a post-race awards ceremony. Food donations will benefit local food bank agencies and the SECU Hospice House.

Oakwood 24 at Lakeside Retreats is a community endurance event held at Lakeside Retreats in Raleigh, North Carolina. The primary event is a 24-hour race, with alternative options including 12-hour, 6-hour, 4-hour, and 2-hour challenges. A 5K walk or run and relay teams are also available. The event accommodates more than just ultrarunners; participants can run, walk, bike, support others, or join for shorter distances during the event. The course features a flat 2-mile loop around the property, requiring participants in the longer races to repeat a short route while managing time, energy, and support. The loop encircles the lake, follows dirt country roads, passes cow pastures, and winds through mature hardwoods. All proceeds benefit Healing Transitions, a Raleigh-based organization offering recovery, shelter, and peer-support services for individuals with substance use challenges.

The Santa Shuffle 5k & 1 Mile is a holiday run and walk on the paved Cape Fear River Trail, offering 5k and 1-mile options. A virtual option is available for either distance, with registration costs remaining consistent regardless of the chosen route. This event emphasizes costumes and casual participation over competitive racing, welcoming runners, walkers, children, strollers, and pets. Participants are encouraged to wear Santa costumes and bring or dress up their dogs as "Santa Paws." Note that late registrations might not include a Santa suit or medal if supplies are depleted.

Viking Dash Raleigh is a February trail run held at Harris Lake County Park in New Hill, North Carolina, southwest of Raleigh. Participants can select a 5K or a 10K race. The 10K begins first, with the 5K starting a few minutes after. The event belongs to the Viking Dash series, which emphasizes a Viking theme and refers to the race as a "Viking Challenge." Organizers present it as a trail day suitable for groups, inviting participants to bring friends. The finisher medal is a significant attraction. The published details mention that race information is subject to change, so participants should verify the final schedule on the race website.

The Glory Run 5K is an annual 5K held at Tropical Park in Miami, starting at 7:30 AM from 7900 SW 40th Street. The race utilizes a certified 5K course and follows early packet pickup, registration, and warm-ups. This event supports a local mission focused on improving lives within the city. The day includes more than just the run: awards are presented shortly after the finish, followed by a family festival and expo within the park. The event takes place outdoors, with the post-race area situated on grass. Closed-toe shoes are recommended for attendees remaining after the race. Live music is featured in the post-race activities, and tents are available for an additional fee.