5K races near Mount Pleasant

The Tiny Footprints Remembrance 5K Run/Walk takes place in Midland, Michigan, each October. The event centers on a straightforward 5K course suitable for both running and walking. It is organized to honor babies who were lost and to raise awareness about miscarriage, neonatal loss, and infant loss. Organizers note that these are subjects many families keep private because of the difficulty of discussing child loss openly. The race originated from the organizers' personal experience of losing one of their twin babies at 31 weeks gestation. They also recall the support they received from others who had gone through similar losses and from hospital staff in labor and delivery and the NICU. Consequently, the event aims to provide a public space for other grieving families to feel acknowledged. The inaugural event received a significant turnout, and the series is still in its early stages, with its second annual running scheduled in Midland.

Trick or Trot 5K is a Halloween costume trail run and walk in Sanford, Michigan, at Meridian Early College High School. The race utilizes the school’s cross country course, making it a low-key trail 5K rather than a road race. It begins in the morning, supports the Meridian Band Department, and costs $35 to register. Costumes are encouraged, with prizes for the best ones, alongside top-finisher awards for the fastest runners. All participants receive a goodie bag and a glow-in-the-dark medal. Shirts are available as optional add-ons during registration. Aldrich Timing & Race Management provides chip timing, offering a proper race setup for this community fundraiser.

The Halloween Hustle starts and finishes outside the Thomas Welch Activity Center in Lake St Clair Metropark, Harrison Township, Michigan. This Halloween-themed race morning offers a 5K, an 8K, and a half-mile Fun Run, along with virtual 5K and 8K options for remote participation. The Fun Run begins first, followed by the 5K and 8K, allowing families to enjoy a full morning without having to choose between the short, kid-friendly distance and the longer races. Walkers are also included, and the logistics are practical: packet pickup is available before race day at Hanson's Running Shop, with race-morning registration and pickup at the park. The event embraces the holiday theme while retaining standard race components. A costume contest, featuring categories like Most Creative, Best Crazy Hair, and Best Group, takes place before the Fun Run, with winners announced prior to the races. Dogs and strollers are permitted, indicating the event's focus on families, groups of friends, walkers, children, and runners seeking chip timing and age-group awards. All participants will receive a long-sleeve tech shirt and a glow-in-the-dark finisher medal, with photos and post-race refreshments provided. Awards are presented to the top male and female runners in age groups from 0-12 to 80+, and the charity partner is Maggie's Wigs for Kids.

The Freedom 5K Run/Walk is a timed 3.1-mile run/walk held on the last Saturday of April. It honors Spc. Robert Friese, with the timing linked to the anniversary of his death in service. The event also remembers others who gave their lives in military service, giving it a memorial purpose beyond a typical local 5K. Proceeds support Veterans Freedom Park. Runners and walkers cover the same distance in a community event focused on remembrance and support for veterans.