5K races near Greenbrier

Heroes Against Hunger 5K is a 5K run/walk at Two Rivers Park in Little Rock, held at the start of National PA Week. The KRT Fellowship for UAMS Physician Assistant Students organizes it with promotion support from the Arkansas Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association, and the race raises money for the Arkansas Food Bank Food for Kids Program. It is built for runners and walkers, with about 200 participants expected, and the superhero theme is literal: people are invited to dress as their favorite superhero. The current race uses Two Rivers Park, while the first edition followed a route around the UAMS campus and started on Jack Stephens Drive. The event began with UAMS physician assistant students, and it also helps draw attention to the physician assistant profession in Arkansas. Its fundraising target is concrete: the Food for Kids Program sends backpacks of food home with students, and the organizers say every dollar provides food for five children. Since the first race, the series has raised more than $96,000 for child hunger programs in Arkansas.

Run to the Wagon is a 5K fun run in Heber Springs, Arkansas. The start line is at Julian Heating & Air on East Main Street, opposite Spring Park. This event is included in the Ozark Trail Festival, which also offers a virtual run option at a lower price for those unable to attend in person. The race awards the top two overall male and female finishers, along with the top male and female runners in age categories from 12 and under up to 50 and over. Funds raised from the 5K and the festival benefit the Cleburne County Rotary Scholarship Program, supporting high school students within Cleburne County schools. Thus, the event directly supports local fundraising efforts and the festival's weekend activities.

The Haunted 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon in Little Rock takes place in October, starting at Two Rivers Park Road. All four races begin at 8:00 AM, offering distances from a 5K to a full marathon on the same asphalt course. Registration is managed via RunSignup; there is no race-day registration at the start. The course features out-and-back segments instead of a point-to-point design. The 5K completes one out-and-back, the 10K does two, the half marathon runs its route four times, and the marathon repeats its course eight times. A six-hour cutoff applies, particularly relevant for the marathon where the repeated laps emphasize pacing and endurance.

The City of Colleges Half Marathon begins and ends on the University of Central Arkansas campus in Conway, located approximately 30 miles from Little Rock. This autumn road race offers a half marathon, 10K, 5K, Fun Run, and virtual participation. Consequently, participants range from those aiming for a personal best to families and participants in shorter races. The half marathon commences in the early morning, with the other events starting shortly thereafter.

At Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Roland, Arkansas, this November trail event is structured around a single 3.1-mile loop. Runners begin a new circuit on the hour and can continue for any duration. Completing one loop registers as a 5K, two as a 10K, four as a half marathon, nine as a marathon, and ten as a 50K. Each lap is timed, with final standings determined by the number of loops completed and the total time. The course follows natural park terrain, returning participants to a central area each hour. This design simplifies pacing and support, offering hydration, basic nutrition, and crew access between laps. The format also eliminates the typical pressure of endurance events; there are no DNFs for early stops, no missed cutoffs, and every completed loop is officially recorded. EverFurther Events organizes the series, employing this loop format instead of distinct fixed-distance starts.

The Ghost-to-Gobble 5k & 1-Mile is a fall race held on the UCA campus, featuring a certified 5K and a family-friendly 1-mile fun run. Now in its third edition, this event bridges the gap between Halloween and turkey-trot season. The 5K is a timed race offering awards for the top three overall male and female finishers. The 1-mile option provides a shorter route for children, families, and less experienced runners. The 5K course winds past UCA landmarks such as Estes Stadium, Reynolds Performance Hall, Harding Fountain, Old Main, and Stone Dam Creek. Wheelchairs and assistive devices are permitted; however, bikes and pets are not. An aid station will be present, supported by Conway Fire Department and UCA athletic training staff. Costumes are encouraged, with awards for individual and group participants. Ten percent of the proceeds will benefit Special Olympics Arkansas.

Chasing Zero 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run is a North Little Rock, Arkansas race supporting Project Zero’s work with children and teens in foster care. Participants can select the 5K, the 1 Mile Fun Run, or a virtual race, accommodating both regular runners and families seeking a shorter, less demanding distance. The 5K begins at 5001 Northshore Drive; the shorter run is approximately 1.6 km. Entry fees fund adoption awareness and Project Zero’s efforts to connect Arkansas children in foster care with permanent families. The specific cause addresses the more than 3,200 kids waiting in foster care in Arkansas, and nearly 150 children and teens whose parental rights have been terminated are awaiting adoption. Race shirts and medals are guaranteed only for those who register by the October deadline.

The Gobbler in Little Rock, Arkansas, offers four distances that begin simultaneously at 8:00 AM: 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. All participants register via RunSignup; there is no race-day registration. Packet pickup is available on race morning, opening 30 minutes before the start and closing 10 minutes prior. The course consists of asphalt and features a repeating out-and-back format. The 5K completes this loop once, the 10K twice, the half marathon four times, and the marathon eight times. The six-hour cutoff is particularly relevant for the marathon, where participants must maintain pace on a highly repetitive route.

The BAC Turkey Trot 5K is a Thanksgiving-season 5K held in Beebe, Arkansas, organized by the Beebe Athletic Club at 1121 W Dewitt Henry Dr. The race begins at 8:00 AM, with check-in starting an hour prior. This is a chip-timed event, not a casual untimed run. It marks the club's 6th annual Turkey Trot, designed for runners seeking a measured 5K and families desiring a low-pressure holiday race. The course is flat and clearly marked, suitable for competitive runners aiming for a fast 5K and casual participants preferring a simple route. Awards are presented across seven age divisions for both men and women. The overall male and female winners each receive a Thanksgiving turkey. Race day also features prizes, giveaways, complimentary childcare for participants, shirts, water, snacks, and fruit provided by local sponsors. Proceeds support scholarships for two Beebe High School seniors, and participants are encouraged to bring canned goods for the holiday food drive.

The Reindeer Run/Walk 5K is a December holiday run and walk held in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. This family-oriented, pet-friendly 5K includes a separate children’s registration for ages 5 to 16. The race is now in its 35th year. The event has grown from a few hundred runners to over 3,500 participants. Funds raised support MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in downtown Charleston. The race maintains its holiday spirit with a costume contest for adults, children, groups, and dogs.

The Candy Cane Course - Little Rock is a Christmas-themed race in North Little Rock, Arkansas, offering 5K, 10K, 15K, 1-mile, and Kids Dash options. It is an annual holiday-season event in the local Bodies Race Series, structured more like a family race day than a single-distance road race. The main distances use chip timing with live results and awards, while the 1-mile and Kids Dash are untimed. Runners select by distance rather than by a named route, and families can bring children 10 and under for the Kids Dash. The event emphasizes holiday swag: 5K, 10K, and 15K entrants receive a designer shirt and custom medal, 1-mile entrants receive a bib, shirt, and finisher medal, and Kids Dash entrants receive a mini bib, youth shirt, and medal. Children can also run the Kids Dash for free without the swag package. Finish-line treats, free participant photos, youth pricing for children 12 and under in the 5K and 10K, and a virtual option accommodate casual runners and families.