Thu, Sep 23, 2027

5K for K9s

Lewis Center, OH

Opens Jan 1, 2027Annual since at least 2020

Entry is $35 now and rises to $40 after Aug 1, 2027, so registering before then saves $5.

About the 5K for K9s

The course runs through Alum Creek State Park, starting near the beach. The surroundings are open and green, with the water visible from parts of the route. It draws a lot of dogs, which changes the character of the morning considerably. Expect leashes, wagging tails, and a start line that looks more like a dog park than a road race.

The race benefits the Franklin County Dog Shelter, covering medical care for sick and injured dogs that would otherwise go without treatment. An auction and raffle run alongside the event, with items available to bid on before and during race day. The beach area at Alum Creek serves as the gathering point for everything post-race.

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5K for K9s 2026 Results

Going by the 2026 results, this is a small, friendly field, and the spread of finish times is wide, so this is a mostly recreational race rather than one for club runners.

5K Results · 2026

285finishers

20:37winner

54:33median

1:21:00cutoff

Top 3: Samuel Hallock (20:37) · Michael Molloy (21:31) · Evan Whitaker (21:32)

The 5K for K9s has been held every year since at least 2020. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 5K results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

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 Oct 25, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K9/25/2027 09:00$35

5K9/23/2027 00:00$35

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Not sure what to aim for? The 5K pace chart lists the pace for every finish time.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the 5K for K9s

Will I finish last at the 5K for K9s?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 54:33, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:21:00, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the 5K for K9s a good first 5K?

A field of 285 is big enough that you will have company at your pace without feeling lost in a crowd. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 5K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the 5K for K9s?

The 5K winner ran 20:37 while the median finisher took 54:33. That spread points to a broad, mostly recreational field rather than a race dominated by club runners.