5K races near Swartz Creek

5K On The RUNway takes runners and walkers onto the runway at Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan, for a flat, fast 5K on a Saturday morning in early October. The main event includes separate run and walk starts, and children have their own Little Pilots Run before the 5K field begins. The airport setting influences the day's logistics: participants park at Genesee Career Institute, clear security with a bib or spectator pass, and take an MTA shuttle to the airport grounds. Spectators require free advance passes, late registration is not available, bags must be clear, and water is provided only at the finish. Following the race, shuttles return participants to cider, donuts, and post-race food at Genesee Career Institute. The event is hosted by the Crim Fitness Foundation, connecting local running with a charity-backed fitness organization.

The St. Patrick Pierogi Run is a 5k run/walk based at St. Patrick Parish in White Lake, Michigan. The main event starts and finishes at the parish on Hutchins Road. A 1-mile Pierogi Family Fun Run/Walk is available for those seeking a shorter, easier option. The race emphasizes the post-run meal alongside the running. Participants receive pierogi and smoked kielbasa after the race, with lunch served in Patty Hall. Spectators may purchase additional meal tickets for family and friends. Early registration for the 5k and 1-mile events includes the meal and a T-shirt. A meal-only option is also offered for those who wish to attend the parish lunch without participating in the run.

The Oakland County Cross Country Championships is an annual high school cross country race series in Milford, Michigan, held at 4570 Huron River Parkway. The meet begins in the morning, gathering Oakland County teams for boys and girls races across varsity and junior varsity divisions. Each listed race is a 5K, simplifying the format: Boys Varsity, Girls Varsity, Boys JV, and Girls JV all run the same distance. The event has a long local history, with the championship count already past sixty editions, establishing it as a regular fall checkpoint for county programs.

The Clio Can Do Color Run is a 5K run/walk held at Clio Country Club in Clio, Michigan, beginning at 10:00 AM. This family-friendly event takes place on the golf course, featuring three color stations along the route. Participants can choose between a standard or economy entry. The course utilizes the Clio Country Club fairways, allowing participants to run or walk on the grass or cart paths. The route includes rolling hills and tree-lined sections, differing from a flat road 5K. This race marks the third and final event in the Clio Can Do Series of Races. Proceeds benefit the Clio Cross Country Team, the Youth Sports Complex, the Compassionate Life Foundation, and the Freedom 4 Veterans project. A health fair with sponsor donations is available at the finish area, and early registrants will receive a medal and race T-shirt.

The KDB Melanoma 5k Run/Walk is an annual 5 km event held at Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan. It focuses on melanoma prevention, with participants raising funds for research and patient services in memory of Kathy Bowers. The event is community-organized, not corporate. Individuals can register independently, form a team, join a team, or make a donation. After two decades of Team KDB organizing the race and raising over one million dollars, friends and family associated with Amazing Amanda are continuing the event and its support for AIM at Melanoma.

Pick your allegiance: Team Blue or Team Green? This run/walk lets you declare your loyalty with a corresponding shirt. Signage and volunteers will guide and cheer you. Afterward, unwind at the Wellness Center, try the 360 degree indoor sky track or the 89 degree therapy pool. Gather your Sororities, Fraternities, or Running Groups for a discount!

The Barn Run is a New England trail race series centered on working farms, offering spring and fall events in Dover, Massachusetts. It is presented as New England's first and only farm-based trail race series, with each event providing runners a choice of distances instead of a single set format. The courses guide runners past farm fields and onto forest trails, featuring races at Powissett Farm with short and longer options including 5k, 10k, 25k, and 26k distances. Spectators can enjoy farm attractions while runners are on course, and the series also highlights local farm programs and initiatives. Sun Multisport Events, an endurance event company based in Massachusetts, produces the races.

The Michigan Monster Dash is a Halloween-themed run and walk held at Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan. The start and finish are located at Maple Beach by Kent Lake. Finish Line Runs, a race group from the Detroit/Ann Arbor area, organizes the event, typically scheduled for late October. Participants can select from a 1k Kids Dash, 5k, 10k, or half marathon. A virtual option is available for each distance, allowing individuals to run from home, a treadmill, or a local path. The in-person course winds through Kensington’s wooded area and is described as relatively flat, emphasizing the Halloween atmosphere over a challenging route. Costumes are highly encouraged, contributing to a family-friendly feel across all events, from the kids’ dash to the longer distances. The race supports Make-A-Wish Michigan, with participant contributions exceeding $8,000 for the charity. Previous race perks have included discount coupons from Dick’s in Novi, chocolate milk from Horizon Organic, and jerky packs from Jack Link’s.