Wilmington · United States
5K races near Wilmington
8 races in 2026
next one in 16 days
Running ▾
Race calendar
Upcoming 5K races near Wilmington
JUL 1
18JUL
Run · road · 5K
Eagle 5K, 10K & 13.1M at Wilmington, NC (29)
Wilmington · 8 km away
AUG 2
7AUG
Run · road · 5K
Old Baldy Run for the Light
Bald Head Island · 41 km away
15AUG
Run · road · 5K
Ninja 5K, 10K & 13.1M at Wilmington, NC (33)
Wilmington · 5 km away
SEP 5
10SEP
Run · road · 5K
Lion Pride 5K
Wilmington · 9 km away
12SEP
Run · road · 5K
White Lake Fall International & Double Sprint
White Lake · 66 km away
Wilmington · 80 km
8 races mapped
View on map →
Recurring 5K races near Wilmington
Races that repeat — weekly, monthly or yearly
Run for the Ta Tas
Run for the Ta Tas includes a 5K race in Wilmington, North Carolina, held in October. This event is a short road run, suitable for runners and walkers seeking a manageable fall race, rather than a long endurance challenge.
The listing provides the event's location in Wilmington and specifies only the 5K category, without a detailed course map. The race is organized by Run for the Ta-Tas, suggesting a themed community run rather than a typical club competition.
Run for the Ta-Tas 5K - Wilmington
Monster Dash
Monster Dash is a Halloween-themed 5K and Kids' Fun Run held in Manito Park on Spokane's South Hill. The 5K begins in the morning and is chip timed, with the kids' races taking place afterward. Costumes are encouraged, making the day about running, walking, and dressing for the season, rather than treating it as a standard road race.
The kids' events include 1-mile, half-mile, and quarter-mile distances, with candy goodie bags at the finish. Adults may walk or run the full kids' course with their children, and many parents complete the 5K before participating in the Fun Run. Bib and shirt pickup is located at the Lower Manito Park Picnic Shelter. All race proceeds benefit Active4Youth, a local nonprofit focused on introducing children to sports and healthy activities.
Graveyard Gallop 5K
The Graveyard Gallop 5K is a Halloween-themed road race in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. It begins at 4:00 pm from 758 Longwood Rd NW. The SOHO Running Club organizes this charity 5K to benefit the Grissettown Volunteer Fire Department. Both runners and walkers are welcome.
The course includes one water stop. Costumed volunteers will be stationed along the route and at the water stop. Following the race, the fire department will offer concessions. Participants with bibs receive a discount for the Haunted Trail. Strollers and pets are prohibited on the course.
Haunted 5K, 10K & 13.1M at Wilmington, NC (42)
The Haunted 5K, 10K & 13.1M in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a US Road Running event with Halloween themes, offering 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances. All races commence at 8:00 AM. Packet pickup is available from 7:30 AM until 7:50 AM. Registration must be completed via RunSignup in advance; no race-day sign-ups will be accepted.
The 5K course involves two repetitions of a short out-and-back section. The half marathon course consists of six repetitions of a longer out-and-back section. This design utilizes a compact, looping format instead of a linear route through Wilmington. The event has a 3 hour and 30 minute time limit. Participants receive medals, and awards will be presented. Series points are awarded, and a best costume prize ensures the haunted theme is integrated beyond just the event's title.
Zombie Run
Run Ocean Isle Beach 2026
Run Ocean Isle Beach takes place on a late-October weekend on Ocean Isle Beach, a coastal island in southeast North Carolina. The event offers runners four in-person race options: a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and 1 mile. Virtual race options are also available for the half marathon, 10K, and 5K. Late October weather typically averages a high of 75 degrees and a low of 56.
The half marathon route crosses the Intracoastal bridge, circles most of the island, and features sections with oceanfront views. The 5K is a flat course, suitable for runners seeking the beach-race atmosphere without the longer distance. This event is part of the BAM! Races series. The finisher swag includes soft tri-blend shirts and large medals; past medal designs have featured surfboards, flip flops, glass, lockets, pirate themes, mosaics, and connecting pieces.
Seaside Shuffle
The Seaside Shuffle is a 5K race held at Wrightsville Beach Park in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, beginning at 321 Causeway Drive. As one of Wilmington's longest-standing road races, it offers a fast, flat course suitable for runners aiming for personal bests and for those seeking a relaxed community event. The Wilmington Roadrunners Club organizes the race, with a particular invitation extended to local students and families.
The course is designed for simplicity and speed. Awards will be given to the top overall male and female finishers, masters winners, age-group competitors, and the largest and fastest teams. Participants receive a race shirt, subject to availability, along with coffee and breakfast post-race. All funds raised benefit the Wilmington Roadrunners Scholarship Program, which assists high school seniors from New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties, having distributed $30,000 in scholarships since 2015.
The Compass Pointe 5K
The Compass Pointe 5K is a private Halloween 5K walk/run for residents of the Compass Pointe Community in Brunswick County, with an added virtual 5K option. It is a Race Against Hunger, with proceeds supporting Brunswick Family Assistance's efforts to combat hunger in the county. Entry includes a race T-shirt, a finisher medal for every participant, and official bib timing.
The in-person route winds through the neighborhoods of Compass Pointe, designed for neighbors, clubs, walkers, runners, and friendly local competition rather than a large public race crowd. After the finish, attendees gather at the Grand Lanai for a festival featuring food from the Compass Point Culinary Club, beer from Waterline Brewing Company, and music from Whiplash; participants are encouraged to bring a chair and relax after the run.
Medal Madness 5K & 13.1M at Wilmington, NC (44)
The Medal Madness 5K & 13.1M at Wilmington, NC (44) is a US Road Running event in Wilmington, North Carolina. Both the 5K and half marathon begin at 8:00 AM near 4099 S 17th St. The event is designed for runners and walkers. Online registration is required before race day, as there is no on-site registration. Packet pickup is limited to race morning, opening 30 minutes before the start and closing 10 minutes prior.
Both races feature repeat out-and-back courses. The 5K covers the same out-and-back section twice. The half marathon repeats its out-and-back section six times, making the event easy to follow for participants and spectators. The course time limit is 3 hours and 30 minutes. US Road Running provides themed finisher medals at its events. This series offers simple pricing, including reduced youth pricing for both distances.
18th Annual Rotary Club of Little River 5K
The Rotary Club of Little River 5K begins at the Little River Waterfront in South Carolina. This annual 5K run/walk includes runners and walkers on the same event schedule. It is part of the Grand Strand Running Club Grand Prix series and kicks off the Rotary Club Holiday Challenge, extending the race's significance beyond a single local morning event.
The course is designed for simplicity, featuring minimal turns and concluding along the Little River waterfront. A 1-mile option is available on some listings, making the event more accessible for families or less experienced participants. The primary additional incentive is the two-race Rotary challenge: participants completing both the Little River race and the Rotary Club of Conway 5K receive an 18-ounce Yeti Rambler mug.
The Fuzzy Peach Trail Run
The Fuzzy Peach Trail Run is a morning 5K trail race in Jacksonville, North Carolina, starting at Hines Farm Park & Stables on McCallister Road. Runners and walkers use the same trail course, designed for those seeking a low-key off-road 5K instead of a road race or an elite-only event.
The route circles the park and stables before finishing with a treat from The Fuzzy Peach Frozen Yogurt Shop. Race shirts are optional, not included in the entry fee. Participants must order by the shirt deadline for their requested size, as organizers do not purchase many extras.
Looking for something else near Wilmington?
Other races in the next 90 days
About 5K races in Wilmington
Wilmington Coastal Miles
Wilmington hosts 28 5K races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.
The River Road trail runs 75 miles beside the Cape Fear River. The River Road trail has 8 miles with good shade. The outer loop is 55 miles. Runners do 5 miles when they want ocean breeze without beach sand. Wilmington Road Runners Club handles the weekly group-run rhythm. YMCA Tri-Span 5K, 10K, WILMA Dash, and Novant Health Wilmington NC Marathon anchor the calendar.
Local riders use the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail for 15 miles of base miles across town. The River to Sea Bikeway gives cyclists an 11-mile on- and off-road route toward the beach. at 6:00 PM, rolling at 6:15 PM, and riders of all levels are invited. Cape Fear Triathlon Club and Cape Fear SORBA keep the tri, singletrack, and mountain bike crowd connected. Blue Clay Park gives mountain bikers an 8-mile trail system. The climb runs 3 km with 342 m of elevation gain.
Spring from late February to early May gives runners and riders the cleanest training window. Autumn gives the city another strong block for intervals, long runs, and Z2 rides. Summer brings high humidity, and daily highs usually sit in the upper 80s to lower 90s °F, or 31–34 °C. Greenfield Lake Park and Halyburton Park matter more in summer because very little sun reaches the path on the loop. Winter keeps training alive with January highs in the mid-50s °F, or about 12 °C. Locals swap heat planning for layers, steadier pacing, and easier weekday miles.