5K races near Shasta Lake

The Nor-Cal Think Pink 5k Walk/Run is a community 5K in Redding, California, taking place in October at the Turtle Bay Exploration Park Arboretum. It begins at 9:30 a.m. and is designed for walkers and runners of all ages, offering adult, youth, and free young-child entry options. The race supports Nor-Cal Think Pink’s efforts in breast cancer awareness and education on early detection screening. The route starts near the Sundial Bridge on the Arboretum Loop Trail, positioning the event at one of Redding’s well-known landmarks. Participants are encouraged to wear pink, making the field resemble a shared show of support rather than a typical timed 5K. Packet pickup is available the day before and again just before the morning start, aligning with the event’s relaxed, local atmosphere.

The Redding Marathon Events route takes runners from Shasta Dam to the Sundial Bridge in Redding, California. This trail marathon includes a relay option, allowing participants to complete the full distance individually or share it with others. The course utilizes the Sacramento River Trail, passes through Old Shasta, and crosses the Diestelhorst Bridge en route to the Sundial Bridge finish line. Prizes are awarded to the overall victors and to participants in 10-year age categories.

Nail the Rail is part of the Miles in Martinsville race series in Martinsville, Virginia. It offers distances from a 5K and 10K up to a half marathon, alongside rail-trail races such as the 5 Miler and 9 Miler. The series funds outreach programs by the Martinsville-Henry County Virginia Family YMCA and Activate MHC. Awards and incentives are given across the entire challenge, not just for individual events. The Nail the Rail 5 Miler and 9 Miler begin at the Virginia Ave Trailhead on the Dick and Willie Passage. The 5-mile course ascends before the turnaround, then provides a downhill or flat final 2.5 miles. The 9-mile course includes an additional climb, descent, and a second climb before the same faster finish. The main objective is to complete the 9 miles in 60 minutes or less. However, older participants can achieve the Golden Railroad Spike by meeting age-adjusted goals based on USATF age grading. For instance, a 70-year-old woman finishing in 1:30 is comparable to a 25-year-old man running 60 minutes, allowing for competition across different age groups without assuming identical race conditions.