5K races near Gloucester Point

Hampton, Virginia, hosts an established event that Runner's World dubbed a "must run half marathon". This race consistently "shows off the best of Hampton, Virginia", inviting participants to explore the city's unique charm. The course itself is notably fast and flat, offering a smooth route that is ideal for runners aiming for personal bests. Participants can expect a straightforward experience designed for speed as they navigate the city.

STAR's Candy Crawl 5k & Boo Dash is a fall running event in Newport News, Virginia, offering two distances: a 5k and a 1.6k. The name reflects the Halloween season, with the Candy Crawl as the longer race and the Boo Dash as the short option. The race is organized by the Order of the Easter Star, a fraternal and charitable service group affiliated with Freemasonry, open to women and men. The organization supports charities, scholarships, youth programs, and local community needs, emphasizing ethical living, compassion, integrity, education, and service to others.

The Grove Trotter 5K/10K Bridge Run begins at Chickahominy Riverfront Park, offering participants a 5K or 10K option. This yearly charity race benefits the Grove Christian Outreach Center and follows a straightforward out-and-back course along the Capital Trail. Runners will cross the Chickahominy River Bridge and proceed on the Capital Trail before returning to the park to finish. As part of the Colonial Road Runners Grand Prix, the race attracts local competitive runners alongside those participating for the charity. Awards are presented in various age categories.

The Grove Trotter 5K/10K Bridge Run is an annual race held at Chickahominy Riverfront Park, offering a 5K or 10K distance. It benefits Grove Christian Outreach Center and is a fixture in the Colonial Road Runners Grand Prix, attracting local runners motivated by the cause and those seeking series points. The course begins in the park, crosses the Chickahominy River Bridge, proceeds along the Capital Trail, and concludes back at the park. The entire race takes place on the Capital Trail, with awards presented to participants in multiple age categories.

Olde Towne's Stride for Wellness is a race day in Williamsburg, Virginia, held at the James City County Government Complex on Mounts Bay Road. It features 10K and 5K events on the Carter's Grove Country Road Course. Participants can choose a USATF-certified 10K run, a 10K race walk, or a USATF-certified 5K for walkers and runners. Additionally, there's a 1-mile Healthy Hike and a free Fun Run for children under 10. The event takes place in November and benefits Olde Towne Medical & Dental Center, which also handles packet pickup prior to race day. Both certified courses begin and end at the JCC Government Center, following a paved path that goes by Kingsmill and Busch Gardens. The 10K run is part of the Colonial Road Runners Grand Prix, attracting local club runners as well as walkers, families, and those opting for the hike or kids' run. Packet pickup on race morning, onsite check-in, and same-day registration contribute to its flexible, community-focused nature, welcoming more than just competitive runners.

The Dash for CASA 5K Run and Walk is a Halloween-season race in Springfield, Tennessee, held at the Robertson County Fair Grounds. The event includes a chipped-bib 5K and an untimed 1-mile Fun Run/Walk. The 5K begins in the morning, with the Fun Run/Walk starting shortly after. Proceeds support CASA of Robertson County. The 5K course starts and finishes at the fair grounds, then follows a section of the Springfield Greenway alongside Sulphur Creek. The route is paved with minimal elevation changes. Water is available at the start/finish and at the turnaround point, making it suitable for walkers, novice runners, and those aiming for a personal best. Costumed participants are eligible for contest prizes, and children and dogs are permitted. All finishers receive a medal, and age-group awards are presented three deep for male and female categories.

The Chartway Norfolk Harbor Race Weekend is a Saturday-Sunday running event in Norfolk, Virginia, featuring a 5K, 10K, and half marathon centered at the Waterside District. Presented by Sentara, the course is described as flat and fast, suitable for runners aiming for a personal best or those seeking a straightforward fall race weekend by the harbor. The route guides participants through Downtown Norfolk, the NEON District, historic areas, and past Old Dominion University's campus, concluding at Town Point Park. Half marathon runners will see over 20 of Norfolk's mermaid sculptures, a distinctive local element that adds character to the race. Following the finish, participants convene at Town Point Park for the post-race gathering, embracing the event's mermaid theme and waterfront location.

The Blue Talon Bistro Turkey Trot begins Thanksgiving morning outside Blue Talon Bistro on Prince George Street in Williamsburg, Virginia. A 5K and a 1 Mile Fun Run for children and families are offered, with the children's mile starting first, followed by the 5K later in the morning. The event originated at the bistro in 2006 to unite people on the holiday and support local charities, and it now attracts close to 3,000 participants. The 5K course winds through Colonial Williamsburg and the College of William & Mary, concluding back on Prince George Street. Strollers and families are common, contributing to a feeling of a community holiday tradition rather than a competitive race. A unique Williamsburg element is the presence of a Fife & Drum team escorting 5K runners to the start before they proceed through the historic district and campus.

The Tacky Sweater 5K starts and finishes at Smartmouth Brewery in Norfolk, Virginia's Chelsea district. This December holiday race offers both a 5K run and a 5K walk, allowing runners and walkers to share the same morning. Mettle Events produces the event, which supports EVMS Melanoma Awareness. The route winds through Norfolk’s Chelsea neighborhood, using the brewery as the race hub before and after the 5K. The post-race party continues at Smartmouth Brewery, featuring food, entertainment, Smartmouth beer, awards, giveaways, and a Tacky Sweater contest. Having run for multiple editions, the sweater contest gives the day its distinct character: participants arrive ready to move, then stay in intentionally outlandish holiday attire.

Lost in the Woods 5k is an evening Christmas charity walk/run held at Peninsula Catholic High School. The route consists of two loops through the campus and the woods behind the school, illuminated by Christmas lights. The main 5k begins at 5:00 p.m., with a Kids Fun Run starting at 6:00 p.m. Participants of all paces are welcome, and there is no requirement to join a team to race, walk, or donate. The event supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and other charities via a team competition. After expenses, all registration profits are donated to charity: half goes directly to St. Jude, and the winning team selects the beneficiary for the remaining half. Previous participants have included the Newport News Police, Newport News Fire Department, Luther-RUNS, and Catholic High School teachers, with each team supporting a different cause. PCYT organizes the race, using such events to demonstrate to teenagers that service can be active and enjoyable. The club has contributed over $25,000 to organizations such as St. Jude, the Citizen Fire Academy of Newport News, and D-Feet Cancer.

The Jingle Bell Run is a timed 5K run or walk in St. Germain, Wisconsin, starting from St. Germain Community Park near Highways 70 and 155. It takes place during the holiday season, encourages participants to wear fun costumes, and includes a free 1K run/walk for children 10 and younger with their families. The 5K sorts results into eight age groups, from under-13 through 70 and older, with prizes for the top three in each division. The overall male and female winners receive Chamber Chexx usable at St. Germain businesses. One winter edition was canceled due to a storm that left colder weather and unsafe trail conditions; entries were carried into a Christmas in July version.