5K races near Scottsburg

The Welcome Home 5k Run/Walk is an annual pride-themed run, walk, and yoga event within the Palmer Park Event Series. The race features a 5k distance, with yoga offered, and the series also includes an 8k and a 1-mile run/walk. The event raises support for People for Palmer Park, a nonprofit focused on the preservation, revitalization, and long-term viability of Palmer Park. It also supports the Ruth Ellis Center, which provides trauma-informed services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, particularly young people of color, those experiencing homelessness, and individuals in the child welfare system.

Broad Run Pkwy provides the course for this annual road race: straightforward pavement with a fall-costume mood rather than a hard-edged club-race feel. It is a "fun, Halloween-themed event," the kind where you can toe the line next to someone chasing a time and someone else dressed for the season. The draw is the mix: families, kids, first-timers, and regular racers all share the same Halloween buzz, with options spread across the morning. Expect road running, a finish-line shuffle of costumes and sweaty smiles, and that easy October quirk where race kit and dress-up box overlap.

The Deam Lake Loop Trail Run takes place at Deam Lake in Borden, Indiana, beginning at 1217 Deam Lake Road. The primary races include 5K and 10K trail runs. For those preferring a less competitive pace in the same location, there are also 5K and 10K walk/hike options. The Deam Lake Winter Warrior event utilizes the Yellow Trail encircling Deam Lake, offering 6-mile, 12-mile, and 4-hour endurance race options, as well as a virtual format. The start and packet pickup are located near Buzzards Roost Shelter, which has nearby restrooms. An aid station is positioned close to the trailhead to support participants on the loop. This event is cupless; runners must bring their own bottle or hydration pack.

Downtown Medora turns pink for HOPE Medora Goes Pink, a 5K run/walk supporting cancer patients. The event focuses on community involvement rather than pure competition, and it is organized by a nonprofit charity. The day honors those battling cancer and celebrates survivors. Surrounding the 5K, attendees can find craft and food vendors, a car show, wagon and barrel rides, a health fair, and live music.

Color Me CASA! is a Floyd County 5K run/walk, including a 1-mile Family Fun Run. It is structured around a morning race schedule and serves as a colorful community fundraiser. The timed 5K begins at 9 AM, with the family run starting at 9:15 AM, allowing runners, walkers, students, families, and teams to participate at their own pace. The event supports CASA of Floyd County, a local nonprofit advocating for abused and neglected children. Activities surrounding the races include tie-dye stations, face painting, music, food trucks, and family games. Prizes will be awarded to top fundraising teams, the largest team, and participants with the best costumes.

The Urban Bourbon Half Marathon and 5K begins and ends in downtown Louisville, connecting the race to the city’s bourbon heritage. It features a half marathon and a 5K, welcoming walkers. Half marathon participants must maintain a 15-minute-per-mile pace. The course travels through Cherokee Park before heading back downtown. The event highlights Louisville and Kentucky’s 200 years of distilling history through bourbon-themed race elements. Its post-race gathering was recognized by Runner's World as one of the nation's best.

The Louisville Hungry Turkey 5K is a Thanksgiving Day 5K run/walk at Waterfront Park in Louisville, Kentucky. The start and finish are on the TurfMutt South Great Lawn, putting the race right by the Ohio River in one of the city’s main downtown park spaces. It is a local, live Turkey Trot rather than a long-distance race, so it works for runners, walkers, families, and people who want a short holiday event before the rest of the day starts. The race is tied into the larger Thankful Turkey 5K, which means Louisville finishers also get entered into a national virtual Turkey Trot with more than 50,000 runners and walkers. Participants can compare results on a national leaderboard and share race photos with the #ThankfulTurkeyRun hashtag. The finish-line extras are part of the appeal: bamboo donuts wait at the end, and participants can choose a performance fleece hoodie as their race item.

The Iroquois Hill Runners Thanksgiving Day Run takes place on Thanksgiving morning at Iroquois Park in Louisville, offering three run/walk options: 5 miles, 5K, and 1.25 miles. The starts are staggered, with the 5-miler beginning first, followed by the 5K, and then the short fun run/walk. This is a long-standing local tradition, now in its 45th year, designed for both competitive runners and families preparing for their holiday meal. The 5-miler is the main competitive event, offering cash prizes for the top male and female finishers, age-group awards in five-year categories, awards for the oldest participants, and a prize for the first stroller finisher. The shorter races are more relaxed, with no awards for the 5K or 1.25-mile events. The course utilizes Iroquois Park roads and paths; however, roadways remain open for golf course access, so runners are directed to use the pedestrian path on the park's backside. Costumes are encouraged, with participants often seen in turkey, pie, unicorn, or ugly sweater attire. The event also provides coffee, hot chocolate, apple cider, a long-sleeve shirt, random drawing prizes, and allows leashed pets to participate from the rear.

The Turkey Trot 8K Run & 5K Run & Walk is a Thanksgiving event in Seymour, Indiana, with all options starting at 956 N O'Brien Street. Participants can select the 8K or 5K run, or the 5K walk, accommodating both competitive runners and those seeking a more relaxed pace. The course details are straightforward: each race begins and ends at the same Seymour location. Registration requires five non-perishable food items, with donations benefiting Girls Inc. of Jackson Co., Provisions, Human Services, and Your Healthy Life Style.

The SKECHERS Hot Chocolate Run Louisville takes place in December, winding through downtown Louisville with 5K, 10K, and 15K distances. The start and finish lines are located at TurfMutt Great Lawn South, a wide waterfront park frequently hosting major events. The 5K begins in the morning, with the 10K and 15K starting together thirty minutes later. This event centers on chocolate as much as running. Participants enter a post-race gathering featuring fondue and sweet treats, and the event is known as “America’s Sweetest Run.” An optional VIP Cocoa Club offers enhanced merchandise, additional refreshments, and a dedicated lounge. Volunteers assist with the event, which is part of the larger Hot Chocolate Run series that encourages participants to train, compete, and then enjoy rewards at the finish.

The Santa Sprint & Stroll 5k is a December run/walk held at Hogan’s Fountain in Cherokee Park, Louisville. This Christmas-season 5k features serious runners alongside participants who come for the costumes, Santa photos, and post-race refreshments. The race benefits United Crescent Hill Ministries and is in its 27th year. The course is contained within Cherokee Park, participants receive a long-sleeve shirt (youth sizes available), and awards are given to the top three finishers in five-year age groups. It is also part of River City Races’ Run the 502 series, where completing six races earns a series medal with race charms.