5K races near Marcy

The Race for ChildRUN is a Minneapolis charity run centered at Gold Medal Park and the Guthrie Theater, with courses along the Mississippi River. It provides 3 Mile, 5 Mile, and 10 Mile distances, plus a 0.30-mile Kids Run for children aged 10 and under. The longer races begin in the morning, followed by the Kids Run and then the 3 Mile Run/Walk, allowing families and runners of various abilities to participate in the same event. The Minneapolis race benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities Upper Midwest, generating over $50,000 annually to assist children and families needing temporary housing during difficult times. It is part of RBC Race for the Kids, a global initiative supporting youth. Parents may accompany their children in the Kids Run, and afterward, kids can enjoy games and win prizes in the race village. Registration includes a performance shirt and a finisher medal.

The Great Swamp Conservancy 5k Trail Run is a morning 5K in Canastota, New York, starting at the Great Swamp Conservancy habitat center on North Main Street. It is a trail race, with runners on paths within the conservancy’s grounds. The route stays within the habitat center boundaries and includes a country-road crossing, offering a local-trail feel rather than a closed-city-course setup. It is part of the Great Swamp Conservancy’s event calendar, and participants receive a race T-shirt.

The East Herkimer Fire Department Fall 5K is a running race in Herkimer, New York, held at 193 Main Road. It begins at 9:00 AM Eastern and maintains a straightforward format: a 5K run supporting the local fire department. The race serves as a fundraiser, with all proceeds directed to the East Herkimer Volunteer Fire Department. While the race listing lacks specific course details, the primary appeal lies in its community cause, not a renowned route or distinctive race structure.

The Copper Wire Run takes place on an October morning on Main Street in Camden, New York, featuring a timed 5K and a 1 Mile Fun Run. The Fun Run begins before the 5K, and the main race employs RFID chip timing managed by Auyer Race Timing & Event Management. International Wire Group revived the race in Camden via the nonprofit IWG Copper Wire Run. The event benefits community wellness and provides industry peers an opportunity to connect outside of work. The 5K offers overall and age-group awards, with course records of 15:17 for men and 19:15 for women. Each 5K participant receives a race shirt, a commemorative pint glass, and a post-race snack.

The Sitrin Riggie Run & Walk is an annual race held at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, starting from 100 Seymour Road. It features a 5K run, a 5K wheelchair race, a 2-mile walk, and a free 1-mile kids run, accommodating runners, wheelchair athletes, walkers, families, and first-timers. The event supports Sitrin’s Military Program, providing care to post-9/11 veterans and service members managing conditions such as post-traumatic stress, suicidal thoughts, traumatic brain injuries, depression, and other combat-related issues. The Riggie Challenge is a unique aspect of the day: 5K runners can opt to eat a bowl of chicken riggies at the halfway mark before completing the race. Following the run and walk, Riggiefest offers chicken riggies from local restaurants, with complimentary entry for race participants. This event originated from Sitrin’s ongoing fundraising for its Military Program. It also partners with the Utica Roadrunners Skeleton Run, forming a two-race series that offers discounts and additional merchandise for those registering for both.

The UR Skeleton Run takes place during the Halloween season at Deerfield Town Park in Deerfield, New York. Costumes are encouraged for all participants. Runners can select a professionally timed 5K, a 1.5-mile community run or walk, or a quarter-mile kids' run for ages 3 to 12. The 5K offers competitive racing with overall and age-group awards in 10-year brackets, while the shorter races accommodate families and casual participants. The main course winds through the park's wilderness trails, featuring gravel paths, grass sections, bridge crossings, and small hills. Mud is a possibility following wet weather. The 1.5-mile route mirrors the initial loop of the 5K, and the kids' race is held on the inner grass area near the pavilion, allowing parents to accompany younger children. The event also gathers non-perishable food donations for the Mohawk Valley Church Food Pantry. Pets are not permitted on race day.

Boos & Brews 5K is a Halloween-themed 5K in Utica, New York, held around Halloween with a fun mood rather than a serious race-day feel. It is part of Willow Running’s lineup in Central New York and the Southern Tier, and the name suggests the basic idea: a short scary-season run followed by beer, food, and a party. After the 5K, runners head to Pizza Boys for the post-race gathering, with food and drink waiting after the finish. The race includes usual perks for a themed local event, such as race swag and a finisher medal, and it supports NY Mills High School PTSO, so the day also contributes to a local school community cause.

The Utica Ugly Sweater 5K is a December road race starting and finishing at Pizza Boy's in New York Mills, near Utica. Participants select Team Santa or Team Grinch, with virtual participation available for those joining remotely. The in-person race is limited to 300 participants, giving it the feel of a local holiday gathering rather than a large-city event. Runners receive a custom long-sleeve shirt and finisher medal. Walkers in the Yeti Walk also get a winter beanie and medal. The course is a simple 5K road route beginning and ending at Pizza Boy's. Packet pickup is available before race day and on race morning. The race supports the NY Mills High School PTSO. The post-race gathering is held near the start line, offering free food for runners and discounted beer. While competitive runners can vie for overall and age-group awards, the ugly sweater contest also attracts participants, offering prizes for Best Ugly Sweater, Most Creative, and Most Funny.