5K races near Sunnyvale

Prepare for a high-energy racing weekend in the heart of Speed City, USA. This event is a Rock 'n' Roll San Jose experience, where the streets become a concert venue and race course. It's a weekend to run, rock, and celebrate, with race-day energy from start to finish. Lace up for an ultra-fast course, known for being flat and built for speed, perfect for chasing personal bests. As you run through the streets, live music plays, turning every mile into a performance. It's a blend of athleticism and entertainment, ensuring a memorable race-day.

The Run for Education is a spring 5K, 10K, and Kids Fun Run held in El Segundo, California. Its purpose, reflected in the name, is to raise funds for the city’s K-12 public schools. The El Segundo PTA Council organizes the event, which is now in its fourth decade. The 5K and 10K courses are USATF-certified, winding through downtown El Segundo and adjacent neighborhoods. These routes offer a measured course for competitive runners and a straightforward local path for casual participants. The field comprises competitive racers, joggers, walkers, families, and children. Age-group medals are awarded to the top three finishers in the 5K and 10K, with medals given to all participants who finish a race.

Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Run sends runners onto the Coastal Trail with a pumpkin waiting for them at the end. It is a race weekend event in Half Moon Bay, California, tied to the Annual Art & Pumpkin Festival, with a Kid's Fun Run, 5K, 10K, and half marathon based around Hatch Elementary School and the Pacific-side trail. Senior Coastsiders hosts it, and the proceeds support programs for local older adults. The route follows coastal paths overlooking the ocean, with rolling but generally fast, flat terrain that works for beginners, fun runners, and people chasing a personal best. The half marathon starts early and has a 3.5-hour cutoff, while the 5K and longer races include chip timing and finisher medals unless runners opt out. The festival side adds the Great Pumpkin Parade, live music, pie-eating contests, costume contests, giant pumpkin displays, and free admission on historic Main Street in the self-styled World Pumpkin Capital.

Reentry Resource Center’s Rise Up and Run 5K is an October 5K run in San Jose, California, based at Hellyer County Park - Cottonwood. The race is listed as a road event in Santa Clara County, with the park address given as 985 Hellyer Ave. The start is at Hellyer County Park - Cottonwood, so runners should expect a straightforward 5 km park-based race rather than a long point-to-point route. Public listings do not yet give registration details, so anyone planning to enter should check the organizer’s pages before making plans.

The San Mateo Rotary hosts a Halloween-themed 5K and 10K run on flat paved paths in Seal Point Park, San Mateo. Both distances utilize the park setting near 1901 J Hart Clinton Drive. The event includes kid-focused activities alongside the main runs, such as a 50-yard dash where children receive medals. Runners also receive a goody bag, and the event features raffle prizes, giving it the feel of a local community run rather than a competitive road race.

The Santa Cruz Marathon is a coastal race series held in Santa Cruz, California. Its routes wind along the beach, bluffs, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Participants begin near the historic boardwalk, proceed through seaside streets towards Capitola Village, and then return to Santa Cruz for a finish adjacent to the sand. The half marathon follows a southbound out-and-back course through coastal neighborhoods and Capitola. Marathon participants continue further, incorporating the rugged trails and ocean vistas of Wilder Ranch State Park. The race offers marked courses, hydration stations, on-route support, medals, and refreshments at the finish line.

The third annual Celebration Of Life 5K/Kids Run/Walk features a 5K run or walk and a short kids race. In-person registration opens at 8:00 AM Pacific time, the 5K starts at 9:00 AM, and the kids race follows at 10:00 AM. The kids race is 400 meters for children 12 and under, with every participant receiving a special prize. The 5K entry includes a shirt and medal, and awards go to the top three overall male and female finishers. Live Mariachi music is performed mid-morning, followed by activities and awards before midday.

The Diwali Fun Run + Festival is an evening event at the Community Center on Old Canyon Road in Fremont, California. It offers timed 5K and 10K races, plus a Festival Only option. The event is designed for families, runners, and walkers, with registration open to a wide age range, from young children to older adults. The races are straightforward: select the 5K or 10K, complete it by running or walking, and receive a medal upon finishing. The festival includes catered food, arts and crafts, a selfie station, music for dancing, light-up bracelets, and complimentary henna tattoos for attendees. Those not racing can still enjoy the food and activities. The event also supports Purrific Rescue through fundraising.

The Santa Cruz Turkey Trot starts and finishes on Delaware Street by the back entrance to Natural Bridges State Park. Race headquarters are at Natural Bridges Drive and Delaware Avenue. The event features a 10K, 5K, and kids 1K, all on flat, fast out-and-back courses near the coast. The route goes through Natural Bridges State Park and heads toward West Cliff, offering runners ocean views on a straightforward course. The Santa Cruz Track Club provides signature finisher socks to all 5K and 10K finishers, and the top three overall runners receive prizes. Bib pickup is available at Santa Cruz Running Company before race day, with race-morning pickup and registration also offered.

The Tri-Valley Turkey Burn is a Thanksgiving morning 5K and 10K run, walk, or stroll held at Ken Mercer Sports Park in Pleasanton, California. It is designed for families, casual walkers, runners, strollers, and leashed dogs, with affordable registration fees for adults, youth, and children under 10. The event embraces the holiday spirit: participants can create their own "I am thankful for..." race bib, coffee is available before the start, and snacks are provided afterward. A pre-race warm-up is offered, along with sponsor and nonprofit booths. Optional Turkey Burn apparel, including shirts, hats, socks, and sunglasses, is available for purchase, and all participants receive a finisher medal.