5K races near Gaithersburg

Glen Burnie Improvement Association 5K RUN & FUN WALK starts from the Glen Burnie Carnival Grounds. Connect with neighbors and get active.

Miles for Migraine Washington D.C. is a free September walk-and-run at Anacostia Park in Washington, DC, with start and finish on Anacostia Drive. The event includes a 2-mile walk and a professionally timed 5K run, allowing participants to walk or race for a recorded result. The event supports Migraine & Headache Awareness, Treatment & Research. Funds benefit the MedStar Georgetown Headache Clinic, local migraine research, fellowship training, and Miles for Migraine programs and services. Participants in the walk and run receive medals. The festival area features sponsors, speakers, and a purple-dress-up prize, contributing to a community atmosphere.

Racin’ to Beat Cancer offers a 5K, 10K, and half marathon at Burke Lake Park. This event welcomes more than just runners; walkers are encouraged, strollers are permitted, and a virtual run option is available for those unable to attend in person. The event features chip timing, and all participants receive a finisher’s medal and a technical event shirt. The race supports We Rock Cancer, a charity assisting individuals impacted by cancer.

The Fall Harvest 5K begins at 9:00 a.m. starting from BB&T Bank. Morning registration and packet pickup are at the Borough Building on Filbert Street. This is a 3.1-mile road race on a flat, fast, wheel-measured course. The plan is straightforward: arrive early, attach your bib, and complete a quick local 5K. Awards are presented to the top three men and women in each age group, with divisions from under 10 to 70+. The fastest overall male and female runners receive trophies. The current course records are 16:56.80 for men and 17:20.65 for women. A $200 prize is offered for the first man and first woman to break the record in the new 70+ age group.

The Fall Foliage 5k & 10k begins at Constitution Park in Waynesboro, Virginia, during the autumn leaf season. Participants can select either a 5k or a 10k, accommodating those seeking a brief community run and those preferring a longer morning race. The route winds through Waynesboro neighborhoods and follows the South River Greenway, featuring autumn colors and fallen leaves. Aid stations are provided, participants receive a race-day shirt, and a food-and-drink gathering follows the finish. The Fall Foliage Art Festival, featuring artists nationwide, takes place downtown the same weekend.

Miles for Migraine - DC/VA/MD is a 2-mile walk for the Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland area, held at Laurel Hill Park Central Green on Lorton Road in Lorton, Virginia. It takes place in the fall and is the 10th annual edition of this local Miles for Migraine walk. The format is a short walk, not a road race, designed for participants seeking an accessible distance. The setting is a park green in Northern Virginia, providing the DC/VA/MD series a single gathering point outside the city instead of a downtown street course.

The MoCo CARES Charity Race begins at 7503 Muncaster Mill Road in Gaithersburg, Maryland, offering 1.6 km, 5 km, and 10 km distances. This local charity run, organized by So What Else and Covenant Life School, focuses on fundraising for local charities and assisting children and families in need throughout Montgomery County. The course features short-distance paths arranged by volunteers, including a route similar to a 1-mile run and a 5K route. Local families, businesses, volunteers, and Companies Who CARE participate in the event. Capital Youth Outreach Club collaborates with So What Else for service support. Volunteers manage the event's logistics, such as setting up signs and booths, encouraging runners, ensuring children's safety, participating in a post-race service project, and assisting with cleanup. Formerly known as the LaunchCARES Charity Race, it originated as a small community gathering before growing into a county-wide initiative aimed at combating hunger.

The Red Shoe 5k is a 5 km run/walk held in Forest Heights, Maryland. The race begins at Capital Canopy on National Plaza and marks the event's 16th year. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House. This event welcomes participants beyond competitive runners. Walkers are welcome in the main 5k, and a Kids Fun Run is available for children. The focus on charity provides the day with a distinct objective, as families and community members gather for a short race that is straightforward and suitable for various age groups.