5K races near Ferndale

The St. Patrick Pierogi Run is a 5k run/walk based at St. Patrick Parish in White Lake, Michigan. The main event starts and finishes at the parish on Hutchins Road. A 1-mile Pierogi Family Fun Run/Walk is available for those seeking a shorter, easier option. The race emphasizes the post-run meal alongside the running. Participants receive pierogi and smoked kielbasa after the race, with lunch served in Patty Hall. Spectators may purchase additional meal tickets for family and friends. Early registration for the 5k and 1-mile events includes the meal and a T-shirt. A meal-only option is also offered for those who wish to attend the parish lunch without participating in the run.

The Heart Diggity Dog 5K, a dog-friendly run/walk in Midtown and Downtown Detroit, begins at 9am from Brush Mall, near the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan and the DMC Heart Hospital. This event is organized by the Detroit Police Department and the Detroit Medical Center's Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan. Separate registration is available for participants with dogs and those without. The route commences at 311 Mack Ave., situated between Beaubien and John R streets. It proceeds down Brush toward Comerica Park, circles through the adjacent neighborhood, and concludes back in Midtown. Human runners receive a race t-shirt and a custom medal, while canine participants are given a Heart Diggity Dog 5K bandana. Proceeds from the event benefit the Detroit Police Department.

Forever Home Run combines a professionally timed 5K run/walk with a 1K Dress-Up Dash for children in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. This autumn charity race in Oakland County offers both on-site and virtual participation, generating funds and awareness for Legacy Adoption Services and foster children awaiting permanent adoptive families. The 5K route winds gently through Bloomfield Hills, while the shorter Dress-Up Dash provides a costume-friendly race for children. The event accommodates families, runners of varying paces, walkers, and children, with on-site activities focused on the adoption mission. Now in its twelfth year, the race supports efforts across Michigan to protect children, connect families with resources, and help more children find stable homes.

The Oakland County Cross Country Championships is an annual high school cross country race series in Milford, Michigan, held at 4570 Huron River Parkway. The meet begins in the morning, gathering Oakland County teams for boys and girls races across varsity and junior varsity divisions. Each listed race is a 5K, simplifying the format: Boys Varsity, Girls Varsity, Boys JV, and Girls JV all run the same distance. The event has a long local history, with the championship count already past sixty editions, establishing it as a regular fall checkpoint for county programs.

Scare Away Hunger is a 5K run/walk and a 1-mile fun run/walk held on October 5th at Rochester Municipal Park in Rochester, Michigan. Neighborhood House organizes this event to raise funds to combat local food insecurity, with MSU Federal Credit Union serving as the presenting sponsor. The event is designed to be family-friendly, offering the 5K for runners and walkers, and a 1-mile course suitable for children, families, and casual participants. The course is contained within Rochester Municipal Park. The 5K is open to participants of all skill levels, not exclusively fast racers. Halloween is incorporated into the day, with costumes encouraged. Following the run/walk, participants can enjoy music and a Pancake Breakfast. The funds generated will benefit Neighborhood House, a Rochester Hills nonprofit that assists over 3,000 households annually with food, clothing, financial aid, and other support.

Miles at the Moose directs runners and walkers onto Moose Ridge Golf Course in South Lyon, Michigan, utilizing cart paths and fairways instead of city streets. The event features a 5k in the morning following a kids’ 1k, with the shorter race attracting primarily children ages 2 to 10. The 5k provides overall awards for the top three men and women, while the 1k is structured for parents to accompany children without registering unless they desire a shirt and medal. The course navigates the golf course grounds, offering more varied terrain than a flat road race. Dogs are permitted on short leashes, strollers are allowed, and slower stroller groups should begin toward the rear. Donuts, cider, and refreshments are available before and after the race, with a portion of proceeds benefiting St. Louis Center and Garrets Place.

The Dew What You Say 5K is a Wayne State University Physical Therapy fundraiser held in Detroit, taking place on the school’s Midtown campus around Gullen Mall. Participants can choose between a 5K run/walk or a 1-mile walk for a shorter option. The event begins in the morning with affordable registration and a straightforward setup, functioning as a campus community gathering to raise funds for the physical therapy clinics, rather than a large-scale city event. The funds raised benefit Wayne State’s student-operated pro bono clinics: the SAY Detroit Physical Therapy Clinic and the Diabetes Education and Wellness Clinic. These clinics provide services to uninsured and underinsured Detroit residents. Race proceeds contribute to the purchase of supplies, educational resources, and general clinic maintenance throughout the year. While specific course details are minimal, the location is defined: runners and walkers will assemble near Wayne State’s Biological Sciences Building on Gullen Mall. On-site and nearby parking is available, and the first 100 participants will receive tote bags.

The KDB Melanoma 5k Run/Walk is an annual 5 km event held at Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan. It focuses on melanoma prevention, with participants raising funds for research and patient services in memory of Kathy Bowers. The event is community-organized, not corporate. Individuals can register independently, form a team, join a team, or make a donation. After two decades of Team KDB organizing the race and raising over one million dollars, friends and family associated with Amazing Amanda are continuing the event and its support for AIM at Melanoma.