5K races near Stamford

The Great South Bay Run starts and finishes at Bay Shore Marina Park in Bay Shore, New York, with the Great South Bay and Fire Island visible from the finish. This annual road-running series, sponsored by Northwell Health, offers three USATF-certified courses: a half marathon, a 10K, and a 5K Family Fun Run. The routes guide runners through Bay Shore’s historic downtown before proceeding along residential streets near Brightwaters Lakes, Cascades, and Canals. The field typically numbers between 500 and 1,000 participants, giving it the feel of a local Long Island race day rather than a large city marathon. The program accommodates half-marathoners, 10K runners, families, and newer runners.

The Running for Water for Africa 5K begins and ends at Walnut Beach Pavilion, featuring a 3.1-mile run/walk. This is the race's 13th year, welcoming both runners and walkers, not solely those aiming for a quick finish. The event also offers a 1 Mile Walk and a Kids Run, providing shorter distances for families and less experienced participants. The 5K course is a flat road, suitable for beginners, walkers, and regular runners seeking a simple local race.

Race For Catherine is a family-friendly 5K fundraiser for the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, centered on the "5K for Kindness" theme. It is a certified, timed run/walk suitable for serious runners, casual walkers, families, and those participating remotely via the virtual option. The event commemorates Catherine Violet Hubbard, a 6-year-old animal lover who perished in the Sandy Hook School tragedy, maintaining that focus throughout the race day. The course is a simple 5K, offering timing for runners focused on results and a walk-friendly environment for all others. A Kids For Kindness Dash provides a separate event for children aged 3 to 9. Rescued animal ambassadors initiate the race and greet finishers at Victory Village, with adoptable pets also present. Registration includes a breakfast buffet, race shirt, finisher medal, drawstring bag, and sponsor gifts. The RaceJoy app allows friends and family who are not present to track, join, or complete the race from a distance.

The Gemstone Sparkle Sprint 5K is a fall trail race in Wilton, Connecticut, starting from Quiet Lake Lane. It is a nonprofit running event with a 5K option for runners and walkers, plus a shorter accessible Sparkle Stroller run/walk of 0.75 miles. The event is hosted with Prospector Theater, CT Run Co., and Brooks, and it supports the Prospectors’ work creating meaningful jobs for people with disabilities. The race is returning for its third edition, and the setup points to a family-friendly morning with food, spectators, sponsorship options, and room for both trail runners and people who want a shorter accessible route.

The Suffolk County Marathon is an annual Long Island race weekend featuring a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1K Kids Fun Run, and a Virtual Mile Mission. The main Sunday races begin in the Village of Babylon and conclude at Gardiner County Park in Bay Shore. Saturday races start and finish within Gardiner County Park. The 5K remains entirely within the park. Combo entries are available, including marathon-and-5K, half-and-5K, and 10K-and-5K, for participants seeking multiple events. The half marathon and marathon routes cross the Robert Moses Causeway, incorporating a distinct Long Island landmark rather than a simple road loop. The event accommodates a broad spectrum of runners and walkers; the 5K is open to ages 14 to 99, and a children's race is provided for younger participants. The Virtual Mile Mission allows participants to complete miles through various activities like walking, jogging, biking, swimming, or using a treadmill. This race series supports local veterans programs, with proceeds benefiting veterans on Long Island. The marathon has contributed over $1 million to local veterans' services.

The Happy Jack 5K begins and ends at Germonds Park in West Nyack, New York. This is an officially timed out-and-back 5K suitable for runners and walkers. It is held annually in memory of John Thomas “Happy Jack” Doyle. The race series also includes a virtual 5K and a kids’ fun run prior to the main event. The course follows local roads surrounding Germonds Park, with traffic control provided by the Clarkstown Police Department. Funds raised benefit The Happy Jack Fund, which provides yearly scholarships to high school students who have lost a sibling and offers support to families experiencing the loss of a child. All participants, kids and adults, receive medals. The first 200 main-event registrants will get race shirts. Teams are encouraged, and trophies will be awarded to the five largest teams based on registration.

Purple flair and finisher medals are part of the annual fall Miles for Migraine - New York City event. This timed 5K and 2-mile walk is organized by the Miles for Migraine nonprofit. It serves as a New York City walk/run for migraine and headache awareness, functioning as a fundraiser for treatment, research, patient support, and specialist training. The event has taken place in major city parks such as Flushing Meadows and Randall's Island Park. The day includes a professionally timed 5K, an untimed walk, and a festival area with speakers and sponsors. Funds raised support local headache centers and training programs, including those at Montefiore, Mt. Sinai, and a headache fellowship program at Weill Cornell.

The Harrington Park Fall Spectacular is a fall race morning based at Harrington Park School in Harrington Park, New Jersey. Its main event is a USATF-certified 5K run/walk on a relatively flat route through town, with a one-mile fun run and a kiddie dash for shorter-distance runners. The 5K starts later in the morning after the kids' events, and it is open to all ages. The 5K has water stations at miles 1 and 2, and results are posted with both chip time and gun time, with awards decided by gun time. Strollers are allowed, but bicycles, scooters, rollerblades, and dogs are not. The Harrington Park Road Runners Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, organizes the event, and race-day extras include professional pre-race stretching, a live DJ, and an indoor awards ceremony in the school gymnasium.

The Ridgefield Road Fest begins at the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield in Ridgefield, Connecticut, offering three road-race options: a half marathon, a 7-miler, and a 5K. This October running event features distances of 21.1 km, 11.3 km, and 5.0 km. The course provides runners a choice between a half-marathon effort, a middle-distance road race, or a shorter 5K. The Iris Fund benefits from the 5K, and the series is celebrating its 50th anniversary, adding local history to the event.

The Riverdale Temple FALL OF LOVE 5K/10K Run/Walk is a Bronx race held at Riverdale Temple on Independence Avenue, offering 5K and 10K distances for runners and walkers. The main races begin at 8:43 AM, preceded by a free Toddler Dash at 8:00 AM. This event is in its early stages, with the upcoming edition marking the third running. The course winds through the rolling hills of Riverdale, presenting a challenging route rather than a flat path. Riverdale Temple welcomes runners, walkers, volunteers, newcomers, and experienced participants. Race-day registration opens early, parking is available at the venue, and packet pickup is available on Friday and Saturday prior to the event.