5K races near Seneca

The Currahee Challenge starts at the base of Currahee Mountain in Toccoa, Georgia, with a 5K run/walk and a 10K run on the Colonel Robert Sink Trail. The 10K is a hill run, so this is not a flat, casual road race, and the finish line stays open until late morning for runners and walkers coming off the mountain. The trail matters because it was a training site for the 501st, 506th, 511th, and 517th Parachute Infantry Regiments. The race is sponsored by the Currahee Military Museum, and its identity is tied closely to the mountain’s airborne training history, including the units later portrayed in Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, and The Dirty Dozen.

Run for Their Lives 5K is a 5-kilometer run or walk at Peterson Park that raises money for SPCA Florida. The event's purpose is to fund care for animals needing second chances. Runners, walkers, volunteers, donors, and spectators all contribute. The funds and support from the race enable SPCA Florida to care for thousands of animals annually.

Earn Your Wings 5k is a low-cost morning race at Anderson Regional Airport in Anderson, South Carolina. Packet pickup opens at 7:30 AM, the free 1 Mile Run/Walk starts at 8:15 AM, and the 5k starts at 8:30 AM. The 5k uses a certified course, which matters for runners who want an official distance without making the event feel formal or expensive. The airport setting gives the race its personality, and the proceeds stay on site to help build and expand the Anderson Regional Airport playground. The 1 Mile option makes it easy for walkers, kids, and families to join without paying a race fee. One-mile medals are sold on site in limited numbers, and Dri-Fit shirts are sold separately, with online registration the best way to lock in a size.

Rotary Oktoberfest 5K is an annual 5K in Walhalla, South Carolina, hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Oconee County. The race uses a USATF-certified course and chip timing, so it works for runners chasing an official 5K mark as well as people who just want a measured community run. Walkers, first-time 5K runners, children, students, and competitive athletes are all part of the field. The event supports local projects run by the Seneca, Golden Corner, and Westminster Rotary Clubs, with the Rotary motto “Service Above Self” behind it. Registered runners can get an event shirt while supplies last, and the post-race door prize setup keeps people around after they turn in the tear-off from their bib.

The Tri-City 5k Run/Walk is a rain-or-shine community race in Somersworth, New Hampshire, starting from 189 Route 108. It is a 5k that welcomes both runners and walkers, and the entry fee is kept low, with a higher price for race-day registration. The event raises money for American Legion Post 79, and its early editions brought in more than $20,000 and then more than $35,000, with a later fundraising goal set at $50,000. Race day is built around more than the 5k itself. Children can join a Kids Fun Run, and participants can bid on silent auction and raffle items, including tickets for the Patriots, Bruins, and Red Sox. The front of the field has ranged from local fast runners around the 17-minute mark to female winners just under or just over 20 minutes, while the run/walk format keeps the day open to families, casual walkers, and supporters who are there mainly for the fundraiser.

The Electric City Gobbler is a Thanksgiving Day running event in Anderson, South Carolina, offering a 5K and a 1.6 km option. The race begins at 1313 Main Street, providing a downtown Anderson starting point for a holiday-morning run. The structure is straightforward: one distance for those seeking a standard 5K, and another for families, walkers, or anyone preferring a shorter run before Thanksgiving activities. While course details are minimal, the event's character is evident: a local Anderson Thanksgiving tradition centered on accessible distances, not a long or elite-focused competition.

The Royston Turkey Trot is a running event in Royston, Georgia, featuring a 5K and a 1-mile fun run. The race begins at Royston Wellness and Community Park, offering participants a clear choice between the 5.0 km race and a 1.6 km option for a shorter morning run. The event's details suggest a local Thanksgiving-style race designed for various ages and skill levels. The 5K is for runners seeking a timed distance, while the 1-mile run provides an option for families, beginner runners, and walkers to participate in the same event.

The Cupid Shuffle 5K Run/Walk is a chip-timed 3.1-mile race held at Paradise Park in Jacksonville, Arkansas, organized by Jacksonville Parks and Recreation. This yearly community event welcomes both runners and walkers, beginning at 8 a.m. with race-day registration available from 7 a.m. in the Five Star parking lot opposite the park. The certified course guides participants along the park’s nature trail, deviating from a standard street circuit. All finishers will receive a t-shirt and medal. Awards will be presented to the top male and female finishers in each age category, ranging from 14 and under up to 50+. Registration fees are reduced for adults prior to race day, and children aged 12 and under have a lower entry cost. Local entities supporting the event include the Jacksonville Advertising & Promotions Commission and the Jacksonville Police Department.

The Run Walk to Remember begins at McFadden Plaza in Carson City. Check-in is at 8:00 AM, with the race starting at 9:00 AM. Participants can choose between a 5K run, a 10K run, or a Fun Run. The event is centered on love and remembrance, with funds raised to help end Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The event is more of a community gathering than a competition, bringing together runners, walkers, families, and supporters for a shared morning. The cause resonates deeply, as one in three seniors die with Alzheimer's or another dementia, and these diseases claim more lives than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. The organizers enhance the event with live music, raffle prizes, and a purple-themed costume contest. Participants can collect their bibs and shirts early at Dickson Realty on North Curry Street.

The Champions Run for Special Children is a superhero-themed 5K in Anderson, South Carolina, run on the East/West Connector with an 8:00 a.m. start. The event includes both a certified 5K and a 1-mile fun run, and it is open to runners, walkers, and people who roll the course. Its purpose is direct: the race raises money for The Champions Center for Special Children, formerly DCEC, which provides educational and therapeutic services for children with special needs. The event leans into the superhero idea, with participants encouraged to bring capes and costumes rather than treating the morning like a standard road race. The Champions Center serves children with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Hydrocephalus, Muscular Dystrophy, Cystic Fibrosis, genetic conditions, and developmental delays. Awards cover individual age groups, team participation, team spirit, and costumes, so families, schools, churches, businesses, and other groups have reasons to show up together.