5K races near Mocksville

Cal Tri Charlotte athletes head to Lake Norman State Park in North Carolina, located approximately 38 miles north of Charlotte. This event offers a flexible multisport day with 12 options, divided equally between Sprint and Olympic distances. Choices include triathlon, RunBikeRun, SwimBike, SwimRun, swim-only, and run-only formats. The standard triathlon involves a swim, bike, and run. RunBikeRun variations substitute the swim with a second run: Sprint distances are 5 km, 26 km bike, 5 km, while Olympic distances are 5 km, 40 km bike, 10 km. Swim-only participants can select 400 yards or 1,640 yards, and runners have 5K and 10K choices. Average air temperatures range from 59 F to 77 F, with water averaging 69 F. Organizers suggest a wetsuit for the swim.

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.

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.

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.

Race for Peace, or Carrera por la Paz, is a morning 5K run/walk at La Villita Park on Chicago’s South Side, located at 2800 S Sacramento Ave. The Little Village Rotary Club organizes this event to raise funds for youth programs in Little Village and nearby communities, with the race centered on an anti-violence and peace message. Participants can select a competitive 5K that begins first or a non-competitive 5K run/walk that follows shortly after. The event is local and accessible: the park entrance and lot are reached from South Albany Ave, offering free on-site parking, street parking, nearby CTA bus stops, and the Pink Line about a mile away. Competitive runners can compete for cash prizes, with awards for the top three men and women. All registered participants receive a finisher medal and a race-day shirt. Packets are available for pickup on race morning, and volunteers can hold personal belongings during the race.

The Iredell County Special Olympics Ghoulish Gallop is a Halloween-themed Greenway race featuring a 5K and a 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk. Separate entry options are available for youth and adult participants, accommodating runners, walkers, families, and Special Olympics supporters. The course remains on the Greenway, offering a straightforward off-road setting rather than a route dominated by streets. Proceeds benefit Iredell County Special Olympics, and the first 10 finishers will receive a free pair of Feetures socks.

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.

The Old Armor 5K for Heroes is a 5K race held in Kannapolis, North Carolina. It starts in Downtown Kannapolis and is associated with Old Armor Beer Company on West Avenue. This race is part of the Run Kannapolis series, concluding the local race schedule. Participants of all ages and abilities, including runners and walkers, are welcome. The event is structured to encourage broad community involvement, not just elite athletes. All funds raised benefit W.A.R. (Warriors Always Rise), a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and first responders.

The Gobbler 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon is a running event in Charlotte, North Carolina. All three distances begin near Marion Diehl Adaptive Field. The event takes place in November, offering runners a 5K, 10K, or half marathon, each with a 3 hour and 30 minute time limit. The 5K and 10K follow a 3.11-mile out-and-back course; the 5K is one loop, and the 10K is two loops. The half marathon uses a distinct 3.28-mile out-and-back course, completed four times, allowing participants to see familiar sections during the run. All finishers get medals. A best costume award adds to the fun, and the race contributes to a points series. Online registration is available via RunSignup, with no race-day signups. Packet pickup occurs in a brief pre-race period.