Am I going to be embarrassingly slow at one of these races?
None of the 40 races here have published finish-time results, so there is no field data to tell you where you would land in the pack. What helps: every race also offers a 10K and a half marathon option, and a 1 Mile distance, so the fields tend to include runners across a wide range of goals and experience levels. Nobody is showing up just to judge your 5K split.
Are these good races for a first-timer?
The format works well for a first race. Every race on the calendar pairs the 5K with a 1 Mile option, so if you want to ease in even shorter, that door is open. Entry is $30 across the board, and every race says it gives a shirt - so you will leave with something to show for it regardless of where you finish.
What will it cost me, and should I register early to get a lower price?
Entry is $30 for every race here. None have a price increase already scheduled, so there is no penalty for waiting - though registering ahead still guarantees your spot in a city where running events can fill quickly.
When are most of the races? I need one that fits my training block.
Fall (September to November) has the most races on the calendar, with 16. Winter (December to February) follows with 14, and Summer (June to August) has 10. January is the single busiest month with 6 races, and February is the quietest with 2. If you are building toward a fall goal, there are plenty of tune-up options in summer before the calendar fills.
Do these races give out medals?
All 40 races say they give a shirt. None of the 40 have said they give a medal - but that is silence, not a definitive no. Check the individual race page for the most current giveaway details before you register.