5K races near High Point

The Monster Miles Challenge is a month-long virtual mileage contest. While based in Greensboro, North Carolina, participants can log miles from anywhere in the USA. During October, runners and walkers record as many miles as they can through their individual portals. Walking, jogging, and running all count toward the total. There is no fixed course; participants can cover their miles alone or with a friend wherever they train. Awards go to the top three female, male, and non-binary participants. The first edition also includes a pizza party after the challenge plus a donation of 20 percent of proceeds to a charity still to be chosen.

The High Point Brat Trot 5K is an Oktoberfest-themed run starting and ending at Dive Bar High Point. It accommodates runners aiming for a fast 5K and those who prefer to jog or walk in costume with friends; dirndls, lederhosen, alpine hats, suspenders, braids, and other Oktoberfest attire are encouraged. The race supports A Shared Blessing Food Pantry through monetary donations and food collections. Participants receive an official Oktoberfest Brat Trot T-shirt, a custom medal, complimentary beer, and a mini brat upon finishing. Entry also includes access to the post-race Oktoberfest Block Party, featuring drinks, music, and games.

The Cannonball Running Festival begins and ends in Country Park in Greensboro, North Carolina. Races utilize the A & Y Greenway and park roads. This event spans a Friday and Saturday, offering a marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K run/walk, Kids Dash, a virtual option, and the Double Barrel Challenge for participants completing two races. The Double Barrel Challenge links the Friday night 5K with a Saturday race, with distinct options for marathon, half marathon, and 10K participants. The event fosters a post-race gathering atmosphere: local craft breweries serve runners and spectators on Saturday, race registration includes two craft brews, and proceeds from spectator beer sales benefit Brenner Children's.

This Halloween-themed race in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, begins at 8:00 AM, offering participants four distance options: 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. The event focuses on road running, with the day incorporating a best costume award in addition to standard race awards. All participants must register via RunSignup prior to race day, as no on-site registration will be available. Packet pickup is efficient, commencing 30 minutes before the start and concluding 10 minutes before the race begins. The courses feature repeating out-and-back segments. The 5K consists of one out-and-back, the 10K has two, the half marathon includes four, and the marathon comprises eight. This structure presents a mental loop challenge for the longer races, in addition to the physical distance. All distances share a 6-hour course time limit, requiring steady pacing for marathoners. Finishers will receive medals, with shirts and gear available for purchase. Participants also accumulate series points via US Road Running.

Rock the Block is a community race event in Johnson County, Indiana, featuring a timed 10K, a family-friendly 5K walk/run, and a free Kids Run. It accommodates various participants: runners can compete in the 10K, families can enjoy a relaxed pace in the 5K, and children have their own cost-free event. The day also offers food, music, vendors, awards, and giveaways, functioning as a local gathering alongside the race. Entry fees and support benefit organizations serving youth and families in Johnson County, and the event has raised significant funds for charity throughout its history. Sponsors and volunteers are essential in transforming the race into a fundraiser for the local community.

Ardmore RAH! is a neighborhood race and food drive held in Ardmore, a historic area of Winston-Salem. The event features a 10K, 5K, and Fun Run, with virtual options for each distance. RAH stands for Run Against Hunger, indicating the event's purpose alongside the running itself. The in-person races attract hundreds of runners and thousands of spectators to Ardmore. Entry fees and food donations benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, supporting food-insecure families and children in the region. The event is designed as a community gathering, offering short-distance races for casual runners and families, as well as a 10K for those seeking a longer challenge.

The Hawg Run is a 5K starting at the YMCA on W. 3rd Avenue, held during Barbecue Month as part of the Barbecue Festival. It is structured around a local festival day, not a separate race weekend, and includes a non-competitive Fun Run/Walk for a family-friendly option. The route goes through local neighborhoods to Grimes Park before returning to the YMCA. Entry fees fund scholarships for after-school programs, summer camp, youth sports, swim lessons, and YMCA memberships for local children and families. The race has helped mark long-running editions of the Barbecue Festival, integrating the run into that local tradition.

The NCANA Run for Joy is a 5K race held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Participants can run in person at Jamison Park on Meadowlark Drive or opt for a virtual 5K. This community event supports mental health advocacy, with funds directed toward wellness and support for health care trainees and providers. The race route is not extensively detailed, but its objective is evident. It highlights the pressures faced during medical and clinical training, such as demanding workloads, occupational stress, and the stigma preventing trainees from seeking assistance. Funds are managed by the charitable organization Run for Joy, Inc. The event originated following the passing of a health care trainee.

Miles for Meals 5K is a food-relief charity run/walk with local versions tied to meal programs: one at Mine Falls Park for Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County, and one at Basset Creek Park in Crystal, Minnesota, for Loaves & Fishes. The Hillsborough County event is an annual 5K run/walk, while the Minnesota race is part of Crystal Frolics and starts after a kids' Fun Run. At Mine Falls Park, runners use a 5K route and walkers can choose 3K trails. In Crystal, the course is fast and flat, chipped, and awards prizes to top finishers. The field is built for runners, walkers, virtual participants, families, and teams, with fundraising pages available so friends and relatives can sponsor a run. The Minnesota race links into Crystal Frolics, a four-day community celebration with food, fireworks, live entertainment, and pickleball tournaments, while Loaves & Fishes uses the event to support free meal programs across urban, suburban, and rural communities.

Miles for Montagnard is a 5K fun run at Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro, North Carolina, for runners and walkers. The Montagnard Association of North Carolina organizes it to fund a future Community Wellness Center. The race is timed for competitive participants. Children 10 and under can join for free and are not timed. Proceeds benefit the association’s work with the Montagnard community, supporting cultural preservation and improving access to mental health and wellness resources.