5K races near Painesville

The Cleveland Ostomy 5k is a run and walk at Acacia Reservation in Cleveland Metroparks, held as part of Ostomy Awareness Day. It offers separate registration for open participants and ostomates, allowing individuals with ostomies to enter a category that directly reflects the community the event supports. The event is in its third annual edition, now held at Acacia Reservation. Runners, walkers, ostomates, supporters, and volunteers participate together. Every entry supports the United Ostomy Associations of America, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Registration includes a T-shirt, a timing-chip bib, and a runner swag bag. Donations to the organization are tax deductible.

The Iron Pickle 5K is a fun run held in early summer in Canton, Ohio, coinciding with Canton Pickle Fest. The course begins at the Stark County Fairgrounds and concludes at the festival grounds, allowing participants to go directly from the finish line to the post-race festivities. The event welcomes runners, walkers, families, and casual participants, offering a pickle-themed medal to all finishers. The Iron Pickle Challenge offers an optional upgrade: participants can choose to carry either pickles provided by The Crazy Cucumber or a large inflatable pickle throughout the 5K. Previous participants noted the inflatable pickle presented more difficulty than anticipated. A separate Little Pickle Run, a 200-meter event for children 8 and under, is also featured. Virtual participation is available for those unable to attend in person, with mailed packets that may contain an inflatable pickle.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo hosts this annual morning event with two options: a 5K run/walk at 8:30 AM or a 1-mile walk at 9:00 AM. Presented by CrossCountry Mortgage, the event supports the zoo’s conservation efforts, not just local racing. Participants choose a species to support: Andean Bear, Asian Turtle, Giraffe, Gorilla, Lion, or Rhino. With over twenty years of wildlife protection work, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo links a short, accessible course to a direct conservation fundraiser. Spectators are welcome inside the zoo with advance online tickets; membership does not grant spectator access.

The Drug Demand Reduction Dash is a 5K run/walk held in Kingman, Arizona, each October, originating from KRMC's Hualapai Mountain Campus. The start and finish lines are located on the hospital campus, with the majority of the course utilizing desert service roads instead of city streets. The event accommodates both runners and walkers, offering overall and age-group awards at the conclusion. Pets are permitted on the course; participants should bring water for their animals. A single water stop is provided for runners along the route. Registration and packet collection are managed locally, with options for in-person sign-ups at BLOOM Hair & Beauty Bar and early collection at the Hualapai Mountain Campus.

The Grand River Haunted Wine Run 5k is a Halloween-themed run and walk held at Grand River Cellars in Madison, Ohio. Participants can choose between a 5k or a 1.5k distance. Two morning start times are offered to accommodate more participants by spreading them out on the course. J3 Timing provides the race timing and scoring, with the event designed to be welcoming for both walkers and runners. The course follows the grounds and landscape surrounding Grand River Cellars, placing the winery at the heart of the event. Attendees enjoy a relaxed fall race, a costume-encouraged Halloween atmosphere, and the opportunity to enjoy award-winning wine after their run or walk. The shorter distance allows those who prefer not to run the full 5k to still participate.

Join the 3rd Annual Move for Mental Health at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. This event supports teen suicide prevention. Participate in the run or walk and enjoy snacks, goodies, music, a wellness health fair, family activities, and giveaways. You may also enjoy the zoo after the race. Dogs are not permitted.

The Covered Bridge Festival 5K is a run and walk in Barrackville, West Virginia, held as part of the annual Barrackville Covered Bridge Festival. Race activities start at 7 a.m., and the 5K offers participants a straightforward festival-morning route through town, distinct from a large-city race. The 5K concludes at Barrackville’s covered bridge, the landmark central to the festival. A 1-mile walk is available for those seeking a shorter distance, and younger children have their own sprint from Town Hall to the school. Registration is low-cost, event shirts are sold separately, and parking is available around the Community Hall, local church lots, and the Dollar General lot.

The Donut Worry Run Happy takes place in Cleveland, starting at Brewnuts, 6501 Detroit Road. It offers a 5K Run/Walk, a 1 Mile Walk, and the b.a. Sweetie Candy Company Donut Dash for children 8 and under. The 5K begins at Brewnuts and is chip-timed, while the mile walk and kids' dash are not timed. Participant numbers are limited to 600, keeping the event more intimate than a large city race. Packet pickup and registration occur outside Brewnuts before the start. All participants receive a custom shirt, a finisher medal, and a donut from Brewnuts. Children in the Donut Dash also get a donut and a Donut Goodie Bag. The event is designed for runners, walkers, and young children; dogs and strollers are prohibited on the course.

Jerome T Osbourne Stadium hosts a run with special pricing for runners 18 and under. Scan a QR code at the tent for results. Top three overall male and female runners receive signed home plates; age group winners get Mentor-branded Softballs. The Mentor Softball Home Run Hustle is sure to be a hit.

The Cleveland Metroparks Halloween 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Walk is a costume-encouraged race morning held within the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The 5K begins at 8:30 a.m., with the 1-mile walk starting at 9:00 a.m., allowing participants to select a shorter race or a more relaxed zoo walk. Packet pick-up begins at 7:00 a.m.; race-day registration is available online only. The primary attraction is the location: participants run or walk through the zoo, and zoo admission is included with race registration. Costumes are encouraged, and all participants will receive a custom race shirt, a finisher medal, and refreshments after the race. Spectators may watch from within the zoo but require online zoo tickets; memberships do not grant spectator entry, and tickets will not be sold at the box office. Dogs are not permitted at the event.

Run for Justice is a Halloween-themed fall race in Cleveland’s Edgewater Park, offering a 5-mile run, 5K run, 5K walk, and 1-mile fun run or walk. The event is open to everyone, allowing serious runners, casual joggers, walkers, children, and families to select a distance suitable for their day. The course remains within Edgewater Park, and costumes are integral to the enjoyment. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes, with awards for the best ones. A family-friendly after-party follows, featuring games, a DJ, food trucks, crafts, and face painting. Proceeds benefit the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation’s community programs, supporting initiatives like access to justice, youth empowerment, and efforts toward a more equitable Cleveland. Apartment Guide recognized the race as one of “7 Unique Things to Do in Cleveland, You Won’t Want to Miss.”