5K races near Portage

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 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 St. Joseph Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving 5K run/walk in St. Joseph, Michigan. The start and finish are at the Margaret B. Upton Arboretum. This event is designed for runners and walkers, allowing families, friends, and local participants to enjoy a short holiday-morning outing before Thanksgiving activities commence. The route passes local waterfront landmarks such as Silver Beach Pizza, Shadowland, the Carousel, and the beaches near Lake Michigan. The finish area will feature music, refreshments, and awards. Registration is open until race day, with an entry fee of $40.

The Tinsel Toes 5K is a holiday 5K in Battle Creek, Michigan. It begins at Full Blast and proceeds through downtown after dark. This family fun run winds through the city’s Festival of Lights displays. Runners, walkers, and strollers are welcome. The event is untimed, focusing on moving through the lights together and raising money for Girls on the Run of Calhoun County. The route incorporates downtown roads, sidewalks, and the Linear Path, passing nearly all light displays, including the 12 Days of Christmas. Cereal City Athletics organizes the race, emphasizing downtown Battle Creek, friends, family, fitness, and holiday enjoyment. The competitive aspect is lighthearted: awards are given for the Ugliest Sweater, Most Festive, Most Festive Family or Group, Most Lit Up, and Most Festive Volunteer, with judging at the Girls on the Run table. Photo booths and free course photos integrate costumes and light-up outfits into the event.

The Paw Paw Rotary 5K Santa Run guides hundreds of runners and walkers through downtown Paw Paw, all dressed as Santa. The Paw Paw Area Rotary Club hosts the event, which features a 5K run/walk and a 1-mile fun walk. The main 5K begins in the morning from Freshwater Community Church, with the shorter walk starting shortly thereafter. The Santa suit is included with entry: adults get a five-piece outfit for the course, and children under 12 receive a Santa hat and can participate for free. Proceeds benefit local and worldwide Rotary projects. The race also supports a specific cause by donating to Rotary International's WASH program in the name of the first-place male and female finishers.

The Red, White & Blueberry Memorial Day 5k Run and Walk begins and ends at Bloomingdale High School in Bloomingdale, Michigan. This Memorial Day morning 5K is for runners and walkers, organized by the Bloomingdale Public Schools Athletic Department. Check-in and walk-up registration start at 7:30 AM, with the race commencing at 8:30 AM. The course departs the high school, proceeds east of town, and returns via the Kal-Haven Trail before concluding at the school entrance. All finishers receive a medal. Families can attend Bloomingdale’s Memorial Day Parade downtown at 11:00 AM following the race.