Race calendar · May 2027 · North Carolina
Every 5K in North Carolina in May 2027, all 27 of them, sorted by date. Dates, entry fees, finish-time stats from past results, and start-line maps.
27 5K races in May 2027
What the field actually runs
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 May
5K races do not spread evenly across May. The busiest weekend is May 1 and May 2, with 9 of them. Another 3 fall on a weekday.
By the numbers
The May 5K races that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.
The busiest weekend in North Carolina is May 1 and May 2, with 9 5K races on those two days, and the single busiest day is Saturday, May 1 with 9. Another 3 fall on a weekday, which is worth knowing if you are traveling for one.
As early as you can. 22 of these May 5K races already have a price increase on the calendar, and 14 are open for entry right now. Another 12 have published an opening date and have not opened yet.
The typical entry is $30, with paid entries running from $15 up to $60. Entry fees climb as race day gets closer, so the same race is usually cheapest the week it opens.
Across the 23 of these May 5K races with published results from past editions, the median finisher ran 36:39, and the median winning time was 18:37. So anything under 36:39 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.
The median one finished 104 runners, across the 23 of these May 5K 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 1:09:41.
Yes, one race around North Carolina gets you off the pavement: 1 mixes road and trail. Surfaces are not always published, so it is worth checking a specific race before you register.
April and June sit either side of May, which is where most people look next when a date does not fit.
