When in October are most 5K races held?
The busiest weekend in North Carolina is October 2 and October 3, with 5 of them, 4 of those on Saturday, October 2. One more falls on a weekday, which is worth knowing if you are traveling for it.
Race calendar · October 2027 · North Carolina
5K Races in North Carolina in October 2027
Every 5K in North Carolina in October 2027, all 19 of them, sorted by date. Dates, entry fees, finish-time stats from past results, and start-line maps.
What the field actually runs
October 5K Races, By the Numbers
36:29Median finish time
18:41Median winning time
244Median field size
13October 5K 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 Nov 12, 2026.
When in October
The October Race Weekends
5K races are not spread evenly across October. Here is how the calendar actually falls, weekend by weekend, which is the part worth knowing before you book a trip or plan a taper around one.
By the numbers
The Biggest Field
The largest field of any October 5K in North Carolina, from the most recent published results.
North Carolina 5K Races by City in October
All 5K Runs in North Carolina in October
19 total Sat, Oct 2, 2027Kristen's Run Against Violence Dunn, NCRegistration opens Jul 1, 2027From $30Details Sat, Oct 2, 2027Viking 5K & 13.1M at Hickory, NC (40) Hickory, NCFrom $30Details Sat, Oct 2, 2027Running Scared 5K/13K - Winston Salem Winston Salem, NCFrom $33Details Sat, Oct 2, 2027Uwharrie Brewing Firehouse 5K & 1 Mile Run/Walk Albemarle, NCFrom $20Details Sun, Oct 3, 2027Divine Llama Haunted Wine Run 5k East Bend, NCFrom $35Details Sat, Oct 9, 2027Bit of Hope Ranch: 5K Trail Run, 2K Walk, & Half-Pint Run Gastonia, NCFrom $30Details Fri, Oct 15, 2027Cannonball Running Festival - Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K Greensboro, NCRegistration opens Nov 27From $30Details Sat, Oct 16, 2027Mint Hill Lions Club - Madness 5K Mint Hill, NCFrom $45Details Sat, Oct 16, 2027Miles for Mammos 5K Run/Walk Jacksonville, NCFrom $25Details Sat, Oct 16, 2027Dare to Scare 5k & Sweet Treat Fun Run Manteo, NCRegistration opens Jul 29, 2027From $45Details Sun, Oct 17, 2027Let's Make Pink Just a Color Morehead City, NCRegistration opens Jan 15, 2027From $35Details Sat, Oct 23, 2027Run Ocean Isle Beach 2027 Ocean Isle Beach, NCFrom $48Details Sat, Oct 23, 2027Hawg Run LEXINGTON, NCRegistration opens Mar 2, 2027From $25Details Sat, Oct 23, 2027Flat & Fast Rural Hall 5K Rural Hall, NCRegistration opens Jan 1, 2027From $25Details Sat, Oct 23, 2027Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K Emerald Isle, NCFrom $35Details Sat, Oct 23, 2027Monsters & Mimosas 5K - Golden Road State Road, NCRegistration opens Jun 2, 2027From $30Details Sat, Oct 30, 2027The Park CDC 5K Domestic Violence Awareness RUN/WALK Charlotte, NCRegistration closedFrom $15Details Sat, Oct 30, 2027Running Scared 5K & Monster Mile Charlotte, NCFrom $35Details Sat, Oct 30, 2027Wicked Spooky 5k Asheville, NCRegistration opens Dec 1From $45Details
Common Questions About Running an October 5K in North Carolina
What is a good 5K time?
Across the 13 of these October 5K races with published results from past editions, the median finisher ran 36:29, and the median winning time was 18:41. So anything under 36:29 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 5K field?
The median one finished 244 runners, across the 13 of these October 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 1:11:51.
Are there trail 5K races in North Carolina in October?
Yes, one race around North Carolina gets you off the pavement: 1 is a trail race.