5K races near Thiells

The Sugar Loaf 5K is a morning road race in the historic hamlet of Sugar Loaf, located in New York’s Hudson Valley. This is a local 5K designed for a broad range of participants; walkers and beginners can complete the distance, while regular runners will find enough gentle climbing to make it a worthwhile effort. The course follows country roads through the hamlet, with Sugar Loaf Mountain visible overhead. The terrain features a mix of flat sections and mild hills. The Sugar Loaf Community Foundation organizes the event, with proceeds benefiting infrastructure improvements within the hamlet. Following the race, participants and observers can explore the hamlet’s artisan shops, galleries, and restaurants, which are situated near the race venue.

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.

Race to Cure Sarcoma New Jersey is a community 5K and 1-mile walk held at Clipper Pavilion in South Mountain Reservation, West Orange, New Jersey. The annual event provides timed 5K races for adults and children, plus untimed 5K and 1-mile options for those seeking a less competitive pace. A virtual entry is also available for those unable to attend in person. The day is part of the Sarcoma Foundation of America’s Race to Cure Sarcoma series nationwide. It gathers individuals impacted by sarcoma, such as patients, families, friends, caregivers, runners, walkers, and supporters. Registration fees and fundraising directly support awareness and research. The course is straightforward: starting and finishing at Clipper Pavilion, with the reservation's natural setting offering a park-like ambiance distinct from a city race.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

Faith in Children - 5K Run/Walk is a 5K run or walk held at 20 Randalls Island Park in New York City. An international virtual option is available for those unable to attend in person. The race generates funds for Faith in Children programs that aid the physical, mental, and emotional health of individuals and families. It is designed for a mixed group, not just runners: adults, teens, children, walkers, and dogs are welcome, including the Kids and Dogs Run Too! segment. The in-person event focuses on simplicity and family, offering same-day bib and shirt pickup. Medals are provided for adults, teens, and children, along with race bandanas, bibs, and medals for dogs. Kids and dogs also receive goodie bags. All participants get refreshments and snacks and are entered into a free raffle. Proceeds support Mindfulness Education, Community-based Outreach, and Nourished Bellies initiatives across the United States, Canada, Brazil, Malawi, Madagascar, and Congo. Specific projects include food deliveries in Harlem and Toronto, food baskets in Pernambuco, clean water initiatives near Ambovombe, mindfulness programs in Long Beach and at Dzaleka Refugee Camp, and yoga for children and teens at Orphanage City of Love.