5K races near Tonawanda

The 5K Run/Funwalk for Epilepsy Awareness takes place in Buffalo, New York, offering participants a choice between a timed 5K run and a Fun Walk. Registration begins in the morning, with both the run and walk commencing at 10:00 AM. This event focuses on epilepsy awareness in Western New York, a region where epilepsy impacts approximately one in every 100 individuals. The race honors the memory of Maggie Lee, who served as a counselor at the Epilepsy Association of WNY, was a community activist, a friend, and lived with epilepsy. She passed away from injuries sustained during a seizure. Funds raised will benefit the Epilepsy Association of WNY’s outreach, awareness, and education initiatives, aimed at assisting individuals with epilepsy in leading more independent, productive, and fulfilling lives.

The Buffalo Home Sellers 5k is an annual 5k held in Buffalo's Delaware Park, utilizing Ring Road near the Jewett Parkway and Parkside Avenue entrances. It begins in the morning in early October, with entries for adults and students. Virtual 5k options are also available for remote runners. The race welcomes a very wide age range, and all proceeds benefit UB Swimming & Diving and Nickel City Splash. The course is situated near Parkside Meadow Restaurant, opposite the main entrance to the Buffalo Zoo, and is USA Track and Field certified. Packet pickup is available before race day at Fleet Feet Buffalo or on race morning at Parkside Meadow, where the post-race gathering with snacks and beverages will take place. Awards will be presented to the top overall male and female runners, along with the top three male and female finishers in age groups ranging from youth to senior divisions.

The Crystal Beach 5K begins and ends at 4020 Erie Road in Crystal Beach, close to the Lake Erie shore. The primary event is a 5K run/walk. A 1K Kids Run takes place earlier, allowing families and faster runners to participate on the same day. The 5K starts at 11:00 AM, and the kids race begins at 10:15 AM. The event attracts hundreds of participants, with previous years seeing over 600 runners and walkers combined. The 5K route is a quick, level out-and-back course along Erie Road and adjacent streets, featuring bib-chip timing with results available post-race. Organized by the Crystal Beach 5K team, the event embraces the village atmosphere instead of a basic road race format. Participants receive custom bibs and medals, finishing to music, food, complimentary beer, and a post-race gathering in The Grove. The leading runners demonstrate significant speed, with course records standing at 15:38 for men, 17:59 for women, and 34:50 for walkers.

The Veterans Race in Buffalo is a November running event offering 5K and 10K races, a 2-mile untimed walk, and a Kids Cadet Race for ages 2 to 8. The main races begin at 9:00 AM, with a participant cap of 800. Entry is open to civilians, veterans, active duty military, and supporters of troops. The race details provide distances, not a specific route, and race-day packet pickup is at the Naval Park. Awards are segmented by Veterans and Civilians, using 5-year age groups for the 5K and 10-year age groups for the 10K. Post-race, participants can attend the Kegs N' Eggs breakfast party at Other Half Brewing. Destination Races organizes the event, which benefits local veteran organizations.

Niagara PAL Santa Dash 5k is a holiday-themed 5K in Niagara Falls, with the route running around the falls before finishing in downtown Niagara Falls. It is built as a community race, with a low entry fee, a student rate, and proceeds supporting local youth. The draw is simple: runners get a short race near one of the best-known natural landmarks in North America, then end in the middle of downtown holiday activity. Early registrants are guaranteed a race T-shirt, and the post-race setup includes family-friendly seasonal activities rather than just a finish line and a walk back to the car.