Is October a good month for a 10K?
It is the fullest month of the year for the 10K. October carries 694 of them, more than any other month, so you get the widest choice of dates, locations and course types without having to travel far for one.
Race calendar · October 2026
October 2026 10K Races in the United States
694 10K races across the US in October 2026, sorted by date. Which weekends are busiest, what the fields actually run, entry fees, and where each one starts.
694 10K races in October 2026
What the field actually runs
October 10K Races, By the Numbers
1:04:01Median finish time
41:23Median winning time
46Median field size
302October 10K races with published results
How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Sep 22, 2026.
When in October
The October Race Weekends
10K races do not spread evenly across October. The busiest weekend is October 10 and October 11, with 168 of them. Another 14 fall on a weekday.
By the numbers
The Biggest and Longest-Running
The October 10K races that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.
October 10K Races by State
Texas 71California 66Florida 66Washington 36Georgia 31Michigan 27Virginia 25Missouri 21North Carolina 21Ohio 21New York 20New Jersey 19Tennessee 19Alabama 17Pennsylvania 17Illinois 15Wisconsin 15Maryland 13Colorado 12Iowa 12Arizona 10Kentucky 10Oregon 10South Carolina 10Arkansas 9Nevada 9Oklahoma 9Indiana 8Louisiana 8Kansas 7Maine 6Minnesota 6Utah 6Massachusetts 5Nebraska 5Idaho 4New Mexico 4Montana 3New Hampshire 3Rhode Island 3West Virginia 3Mississippi 2Vermont 2Wyoming 2Alaska 1Connecticut 1Delaware 1District of Columbia 1North Dakota 1South Dakota 1
October 10K Races by City
Soonest 10K Races in October
694 total Thu, Oct 1, 2026Associated Bank Pave the Way 5k/10k Run/Walk Fundraiser Green Bay, WIFrom $30Details Thu, Oct 1, 20262026 Chessie Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, & 26.2 Relay Lexington, VAFrom $26Details Thu, Oct 1, 20262026 BOO! Brain Cancer Virtual Challenge Any City-Any State, ALFrom $35Details Sat, Oct 3, 2026Edenton Nut Run Edenton, NCFrom $35Details Sat, Oct 3, 2026Long Grove's Oktoberfest Half Marathon, 10K & 5K Long Grove, ILFrom $45Details Sat, Oct 3, 2026Carrboro 5K/10K Chapel Hill, NCFrom $35Details Sat, Oct 3, 2026Hit the Staxx 10K/5K Greensboro, NCFrom $50Details Sat, Oct 3, 2026Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists Oktoberfest 10K/5K Jackson, MIFrom $40Details Sat, Oct 3, 2026Trinity Health Probility Ann Arbor Marathon Ann Arbor, MIFrom $62Details Sat, Oct 3, 2026GREAT SOUTH BAY RUN Bay Shore, NYFrom $54Details Sat, Oct 3, 202640th Annual Cole Porter Classic 2026 Peru, INFrom $30Details Sat, Oct 3, 2026Port Harbor Dash Fun Run/5K/10K Catoosa, OKFrom $30Details
Common Questions About Running an October 10K
When in October are most 10K races held?
The busiest weekend is October 10 and October 11, with 168 10K races on those two days, and the single busiest day is Saturday, October 10 with 139. Another 14 fall on a weekday, which is worth knowing if you are traveling for one.
When should I sign up for an October 10K?
As early as you can. 175 of these October 10K races already have a price increase on the calendar, and 671 are open for entry right now. Another 17 have published an opening date and have not opened yet.
How much does an October 10K cost to enter?
The typical entry is $30, with paid entries running from $5 up to $500, and 4 that are free to enter. Entry fees climb as race day gets closer, so the same race is usually cheapest the week it opens.
What is a good 10K time?
Across the 302 of these October 10K races with published results from past editions, the median finisher ran 1:04:01, and the median winning time was 41:23. So anything under 1:04:01 puts you in the faster half of a typical field. That is the middle of these RunSignup fields, walkers and charity entrants included, not a national average.
How big is a typical October 10K field?
The median one finished 46 runners, across the 302 of these October 10K races with published results from past editions. Most are far smaller than the big-city events people picture, which means less crowding at the start and a friendlier field, with a last recorded finisher at 1:39:24.
Which states have the most October 10K races?
Texas has 71, California has 66, Florida has 66, Washington has 36, Georgia has 31. If you are willing to travel, those are the states where an October weekend gives you the most to choose from.
Are there trail 10K races in October?
Yes, 71 races around the United States get you off the pavement: 47 are trail races, and 24 mix road and trail. Surfaces are not always published, so it is worth checking a specific race before you register.
10K Races in Other Months
September and November sit either side of October, which is where most people look next when a date does not fit.