5K races near Nitro

The Freakeee 5K Run/Walk is an evening 5K through Ripley, West Virginia, starting at City Park behind Ripley Elementary on Main Street. The race takes place in late October, embracing the Halloween season instead of resembling a typical neighborhood 5K. Runners begin and end at the park, with the awards ceremony at the finish line. Costumes are encouraged: the best runner’s costume wins a gift certificate, and pre-registered participants receive 4 season socks and a swag bag. Waybright Funeral Home sponsors the race, and the event continues with a Freakeee after-party.

Run for Mama India is a global virtual 5K hosted by Intuitive Breath, with a Charleston, West Virginia listing but no fixed start line. Participants complete 5K anywhere in the world during November, choosing whether to run, walk, or move the distance another way. The format is deliberately flexible: people can go at their own pace, fit it into their own schedule, and register for $25. There is no single course, so the focus is on the cause and the shared month of movement. All proceeds go to Drop-In Centers for children in Kolkata’s Red Light District, where the centers provide care, food, education, and safe refuge for children affected by human trafficking. Participants can create or join teams, and the organizers host a collective accountability group so friends, families, and wider communities can stay connected while doing the 5K. Intuitive Breath also plans to visit Kolkata afterward to see and share the impact of the fundraising at the centers being supported.

The Hot Diggity Dog 5K is a free, timed 5K starting at Saint Albans High School each Saturday morning in late November at 9:00 a.m. This is a straightforward community run, not a large commercial event. Runners receive timing without an entry fee, and the event supports local animals. The race collects donations for the Putnam County Animal Shelter, including dog food, cat food, litter, toys, and similar supplies brought on race day. Commemorative shirts are available for purchase during registration, but runners must order by the shirt deadline to ensure they receive one.