5K races near Mishawaka

The Community Health Clinic 5k: Walk for Rare, Run for Hope begins and ends at the clinic on East North Street in Shipshewana, Indiana, adjacent to the Pumpkinvine Trail and the Cove youth center. The primary event is a 5k run or walk along an out-and-back course, featuring a clock for participants who wish to monitor their own times. The morning also features a Kids Big Wheel Race for ages 3 to 7, with big wheels supplied. All funds raised support patient care at the Community Health Clinic, centering the event on a local health-care cause instead of a large race production. Participants receive a water station and complimentary snacks, with bake sale items available by donation. Medals will be awarded to the top three male and top three female finishers in the 5k. Registration is open on the day of the event, though shirts cannot be guaranteed for those who sign up late. Parking is available in the clinic lot, with additional space across the street by the dog park.

The Sandhill Crane All Trail Half Marathon/10K/5K takes place at Dr. T. K. Lawless County Park, an 820-acre park in Vandalia, Michigan. The event features a half marathon, 10K run/walk, 5K run/walk, and a 1K kids fun run, all utilizing unpaved park trails. The half marathon is a 13.1-mile non-repeat route, ensuring runners experience new terrain throughout. The course winds through forest and field, alongside streams and small lakes, with six bridge crossings. It is not flat, starting around 900 feet and climbing to a high point near 1,000 feet, incorporating hills into the trail running. Sandhill cranes are common in the area, inspiring the race's name and offering participants a chance to spot one. The event is limited to 500 participants, uses chip timing, and provides fruit at the finish. Finishers get custom long-sleeve performance shirts, top finishers receive laser-cut wood awards, and second and third place finishers in each age group receive medals. Proceeds benefit Dowagiac Rotary charities and Cass County Parks.

The Haunted Halloween Hustle is a Halloween-themed race day held at Abshire Park in Goshen, Indiana, offering four distances: the Monster Mile, Frightening 5K, Terrible 10K, and Haunted Half Marathon. The shorter races and the half marathon begin in the morning. The Monster Mile is an untimed, lower-pressure option. This event is designed for runners and walkers seeking a fall race that incorporates costumes, rather than just a typical road event with a spooky title. Every course utilizes the Pumpkinvine Trail and follows an out-and-back format, making the route straightforward to grasp before starting. The trail is traffic-free, with police and volunteers stationed at road crossings, and portable restrooms are available along the course. All finishers will receive medals, and awards for overall and age-group winners are provided for the 5K, 10K, and half marathon. Costumes are integral to the event: participants are encouraged to dress up, costume awards span eight categories, and a Monster Mash parade typically offers an opportunity to display outfits.

The Dowagiac All Trail Turkey Trot takes place entirely on unpaved trails at Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac, Michigan. This November trail race offers 10K and 5K distances that begin simultaneously, along with a 1K children's run scheduled afterward. The event limits registration to 500 participants, employs chip timing with live results, and maintains a practical local-race format: tiered entry fees, finisher shirts for pre-registered runners, and timing services provided by Mac's Sports Timing. The course follows the college's trail system at 58900 Cherry Grove Road, noting an elevation of 761 feet at its highest point. This distinguishes it as a campus-trail run rather than a road race with a minor unpaved section. Southwestern Michigan College supports the event, Ron Gunn of Cairn Stone Adventure Tours oversees its direction, and the race originated in 1967, establishing it as a long-standing Dowagiac tradition. Adults may run or walk the 5K and 10K, and the children's run provides a shorter option for younger participants, awarding ribbons.

The Flannel 5K Run begins and ends at Beutter Park in Mishawaka, Indiana, directing runners and walkers onto the city’s Riverwalk. This December 5K offers a shorter 1-mile option, suitable for those seeking a timed run and for families or less experienced runners wanting a brief activity. The 1-mile race commences first in the morning, with the 5K following; both races feature chip timing. The race embraces its theme: participants are encouraged to wear flannel, and all finishers receive a medal. Awards are presented to the top male and female finishers in both the 5K and the 1-mile race. Shirts are available for purchase separately while supplies last. The event collaborates with the South Bend Center for the Homeless, gathering new or gently used coats, hats, and gloves via Fleet Feet Mishawaka and at Chicory Cafe on race morning.

The Candy Cane 5K Run begins and ends at Promenade Park, located by the Westin Hotel in Westminster, Colorado. The event features a holiday theme, including music, awards, and hot beverages available post-race. This December race offers a 5K, a 10K, and a 1-mile children's run, catering to participants seeking a fast, flat course, families with strollers, walkers, and young children. The 5K route utilizes park paths and a section of trail, characterized as flat, fast, and suitable for children and strollers, with one aid station. The 10K incorporates the 5K loop, then extends east with an out-and-back segment that includes a water stop at the turnaround point. The finish area embraces the holiday spirit, providing participants with items like gloves, custom bibs, candy canes, mugs, and ornaments. Additionally, coffee, cocoa, tea, cider, snacks, and holiday music are available to enhance the post-race atmosphere.

The Frigid 5K and Penguin Plunge takes runners around Utah Lake State Park in Provo on a cold winter morning. The 5K begins first, followed shortly by the plunge. This is a chip-timed 5K with an optional dip into Utah Lake. Participants can register for the run, the plunge, or both. The event embraces the cold: participants receive a beanie and gloves, 5K finishers get a medal, and plunge participants receive a penguin keychain and sticker. A portion of each registration supports Wolfpack Running Club. The 5K course follows the Provo Delta River Trailhead area, with Utah Lake on one side and mountain views throughout the park. Parking is available at Provo Boat Harbor. The aid station provides water, Redmond Re-Lyte, and a first aid kit. Following the finish, participants can take the Penguin Plunge into the lake. The recovery table offers hot chocolate, water, Redmond Re-Lyte, oranges, and bread. Photographers will be present at the start, course, finish, corral, and awards area. Race photos, sized for social media, are included with registration.