5K races near Keystone

The Tunnel to Towers Climb in Tampa is an indoor stair climb at Tampa City Center, starting from 201 N. Franklin Street. Instead of a road course, runners and walkers head upward: 861 steps toward the 41st floor, with the route finishing on the roof. Official timing stops on the 39th floor, and participants continue two more flights to reach the top. The event is part of the national Tunnel to Towers Run, Walk & Climb Series, which honors Stephen Siller, an FDNY firefighter who ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel toward the Twin Towers and died in the World Trade Center attacks. The Tampa climb supports first responders and military members, and registration categories include adults, first responders and military, youth ages 13 to 17, and children 12 and under. Participants receive a T-shirt and race swag.

Race to Cure Sarcoma Tampa is an annual charity race and walk held at Perry Harvey Sr. Park in Tampa, Florida. The event offers a 5K, a 1 or 2 mile walk/fun run, and virtual participation options. Separate adult and child entries are available for the shorter distance and virtual race. The morning schedule accommodates both runners and walkers. Families, first-timers, and those connected to sarcoma can participate without needing a full race goal. The event gathers hundreds of people affected by sarcoma. The Sarcoma Foundation of America utilizes the Race to Cure Sarcoma series to raise awareness and fund research nationwide.

The Howl-o-ween 5K is a Halloween-themed 5K run/walk held at Gadsen Park in Tampa, Florida. It is designed for runners, walkers, and dogs, with the event benefiting animal shelters instead of prioritizing finish times. The race features chip-timed bibs, live results, and official timing and scoring provided by J3 Timing, with results published by J3 Timing post-race. Registration includes a short sleeve shirt and a finisher medal, and the finish line offers treats for both participants and dogs.

The Haunted 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon in Hudson, Florida, is a morning road race series offering three distances, beginning at 8:00 AM. All runners must register via RunSignup prior to race day, as there is no on-site registration. Packet pickup is available 30 minutes before the start and concludes 10 minutes before the race, located at the shelter in the Splash Pad area behind the Aquatic Center. All three races feature a repeated out-and-back course format. The 5K completes the out-and-back loop twice, the 10K completes it four times, and the half marathon uses a longer out-and-back course six times. The event has a 3-hour and 30-minute time limit, a factor primarily for half marathon participants on the six-repeat course.

The Haunted 5K, 10K & Half Marathon in Largo, Florida, begins at 1800 Keene Road. All three races start in the morning. This is a US Road Running event. Advance registration is required through RunSignup only. Runners must sign up before race day and pick up their packets shortly before the start. The 5K and 10K follow an identical out-and-back course. The 5K covers the route once, while the 10K covers it twice. The half marathon is also an out-and-back course, repeated four times. It has a 3 hour 30 minute time limit. A staff member will be stationed at the turnaround point to ensure participants are heading in the correct direction. All finishers will receive medals. Awards will be presented, and costumes are encouraged. The race also contributes to US Road Running series points.

The Spooky Sprint in Tampa is a Halloween-themed running event offering 5K, 10K, and 15K distances. It caters to a wide audience, not just competitive runners, featuring youth pricing for the 5K and 10K and a family-friendly atmosphere centered on the holiday. Participants who run in person will receive chip timing, live results, awards, complimentary race photos, and post-race refreshments. All distances come with a custom bib, a designer shirt, and a finisher medal. A virtual option allows participants to run their chosen distance from any location and still receive the event's merchandise.

The Halloween 5K 10K Dunedin HOB Brewing Company race is a fall running event in Dunedin offering 5K and 10K distances. The event centers on Halloween, encouraging runners to wear costumes, complete a short road race, and then join the post-race beer gathering. HOB Brewing Company sponsors the race, providing participants with a complimentary craft beer upon completion. The event welcomes families, features a costume contest, and awards fall-themed medals at the finish line.

The Great West Chase is a race series in the Tampa area, based at West Park Village Town Center, which serves as the start and finish for all events. It features a USATF/RRTC nationally certified 10K, a certified 5K run/walk, and a Fun Run. The 10K begins at 7 a.m., followed by the 5K at 8 a.m., and the Fun Run at 9 a.m. The event, hosted annually since 2002, attracts over 1,300 participants across its three races. Runners, walkers, families, and children travel from across Tampa Bay. The day combines competitive running with a fundraiser for a local school. WOW magazine organizes the race, with all net proceeds benefiting math and literacy programs at elementary schools in the area. Packet pickup is available at the Westchase Recreation Center. Registration can be completed online, by mail, in person, or on race day.

The Florida Halloween Distance Classic takes place at Fort De Soto Park on Florida's Gulf coast, a short drive from downtown St. Petersburg. Participants can select a half marathon, 10K, or 5K, with early starts on a fast, flat road course. Costumes are encouraged but not required, and a costume contest with prizes is part of the event, accommodating both runners aiming for fast times and those in creative Halloween attire. All three races begin and end at North Beach within Fort De Soto Park. The course is an out-and-back route along park roads and trails through wooded areas, proceeding towards the island's southern tip and its easternmost point. Runners will encounter sections with white-sand beaches and water views, and minimal vehicle traffic allows for an open course time limit. The half marathon follows the same path as the Florida Beach Halfathon, and previous years have seen over a thousand finishers across all race distances.