10K races near Leland

The Haunted 5K, 10K & 13.1M in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a US Road Running event with Halloween themes, offering 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances. All races commence at 8:00 AM. Packet pickup is available from 7:30 AM until 7:50 AM. Registration must be completed via RunSignup in advance; no race-day sign-ups will be accepted. The 5K course involves two repetitions of a short out-and-back section. The half marathon course consists of six repetitions of a longer out-and-back section. This design utilizes a compact, looping format instead of a linear route through Wilmington. The event has a 3 hour and 30 minute time limit. Participants receive medals, and awards will be presented. Series points are awarded, and a best costume prize ensures the haunted theme is integrated beyond just the event's title.

The Gobbler 5K, 10K & 13.1M is a running event in Wilmington, North Carolina, offering three distances: 5K, 10K, and a half marathon. It begins at 8:00 AM from 4099 S 17th St. Packet pickup opens 30 minutes before the start and closes 10 minutes prior. Participants must register in advance via RunSignup, as no race-day registration is available on-site. The courses consist of simple out-and-back loops, making them easy to navigate and pace. The 5K involves completing a 1.56-mile out-and-back segment twice. The half marathon uses a 2.18-mile out-and-back segment six times. The event has a 3 hour 30 minute time limit. It is part of the US Road Running series, known for family-friendly events for runners and walkers, often featuring themed race branding and finisher medals.

The Wilmington Historic Half, 10K & 5K takes place in Wilmington, North Carolina, in December. All races run on closed roads through the historic downtown. Participants can select the half marathon, 10K, 5K, a virtual option, or the Challenge. The Challenge combines the early 5K with the half marathon, totaling 16.2 miles. A strict cutoff applies to the Challenge: the 5K must be completed in under 45 minutes, as the half marathon begins later that morning with no exceptions for late starts. The half marathon and 10K traverse all three downtown bridges and include over a mile on Wilmington’s well-regarded riverwalk, concluding in Riverfront Park. The 5K offers accessibility, while the Challenge presents a demanding local format for more competitive runners. All finishers receive a medal; Challenge participants get two medals and additional merchandise. The finish area features music, food, and beer from Wrightsville Beach Brewery and Oden Brewing Company. Race Raves voters recognized the half marathon as North Carolina’s top race, aligning with the event’s blend of downtown streets, bridges, riverfront paths, and efficient race-day logistics.

The William H. Craig Race for Life is an annual holiday 5K and 10K in Wilmington, North Carolina, held at the UNCW Greene Track. Participants select either distance, with the event structured around a morning race and a Christmas-season atmosphere, not just a standard road race. This is the oldest and largest holiday race in the Cape Fear region, honoring Dr. Bill Craig’s legacy and his community work in Wilmington. The day features snowball fights, elves, Santa, and hot chocolate. Proceeds benefit Girls on the Run, STRIDE, Victory Junction Gang Camp, and the Bill Craig Memorial Scholarship.

Viking Dash - Cape Fear is a 5K and 10K trail race held at Brunswick Nature Park in Winnabow, North Carolina, located south of Wilmington. The event takes place in February, beginning at 10:00 AM. Both race distances remain exclusively on unpaved trails, with no road sections included. The race is a component of the Viking Dash trail series, which embraces a Viking theme and highlights finisher medals. As a relatively new event without listed prize money, it presents as a themed local trail run for 5K and 10K participants rather than an elite competition.