Is October a good month for a 5K?
It is the fullest month of the year for the 5K. October carries 3,345 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 5K Races in the United States
3,345 5K 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.
3,345 5K races in October 2026
What the field actually runs
October 5K Races, By the Numbers
35:34Median finish time
18:50Median winning time
122Median field size
1,446October 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 Sep 22, 2026.
When in October
The October Race Weekends
5K races do not spread evenly across October. The busiest weekend is October 3 and October 4, with 760 of them. Another 156 fall on a weekday.
By the numbers
The Biggest and Longest-Running
The October 5K races that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.
October 5K Races by State
Texas 255Florida 222Ohio 197Georgia 167North Carolina 160Pennsylvania 160Michigan 151New York 132California 130New Jersey 127Illinois 120Virginia 117Indiana 95Tennessee 78Massachusetts 75Alabama 73Washington 72South Carolina 68Missouri 67Wisconsin 65Arkansas 64Kentucky 64Connecticut 61Maryland 61Louisiana 58Colorado 55Oklahoma 42Iowa 40Kansas 33Maine 29Oregon 29Mississippi 26Utah 23New Hampshire 22West Virginia 21Nevada 20Arizona 19Delaware 19Minnesota 19Nebraska 16New Mexico 16Montana 15Rhode Island 15Idaho 12Vermont 9Wyoming 6District of Columbia 5Alaska 4Hawaii 4South Dakota 4North Dakota 3
October 5K Races by City
Soonest 5K Races in October
3,345 total Thu, Oct 1, 2026Running with the Devils 5K Run & Walk West Orange, NJFrom $40Details Thu, Oct 1, 2026Nativity Knight Flight Leawood, KSFrom $15Details Thu, Oct 1, 2026School Nurse Fun Run Holland, MIFrom $20Details Thu, Oct 1, 2026Associated Bank Pave the Way 5k/10k Run/Walk Fundraiser Green Bay, WIFrom $30Details Thu, Oct 1, 2026Adalyn Rose Foundation's Empty Stroller Run & Walk Reading, PAFrom $35Details Thu, Oct 1, 2026Race for Rescue Honolulu, HIFrom $40Details Thu, Oct 1, 20262026 Chessie Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, & 26.2 Relay Lexington, VAFrom $26Details Thu, Oct 1, 2026Kohler #IWILLLISTEN Mental Health Awareness Walk Kohler, WIFreeDetails Thu, Oct 1, 2026Colleen's BA 5K in Collaboration with BARE Kensington, MDFrom $20Details Thu, Oct 1, 2026Boots and Blooms 5K New Bern, NCFrom $35Details Thu, Oct 1, 2026DONNA 5K at TPC Sawgrass Ponte Vedra Beach, FLFrom $45Details Thu, Oct 1, 20262026 BOO! Brain Cancer Virtual Challenge Any City-Any State, ALFrom $35Details
Common Questions About Running an October 5K
When in October are most 5K races held?
The busiest weekend is October 3 and October 4, with 760 5K races on those two days, and the single busiest day is Saturday, October 3 with 566. Another 156 fall on a weekday, which is worth knowing if you are traveling for one.
When should I sign up for an October 5K?
As early as you can. 1,165 of these October 5K races already have a price increase on the calendar, and 3,175 are open for entry right now. Another 124 have published an opening date and have not opened yet.
How much does an October 5K cost to enter?
The typical entry is $30, with paid entries running from $2 up to $500, and 96 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 5K time?
Across the 1,446 of these October 5K races with published results from past editions, the median finisher ran 35:34, and the median winning time was 18:50. So anything under 35:34 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 122 runners, across the 1,446 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 1:05:06.
Which states have the most October 5K races?
Texas has 255, Florida has 222, Ohio has 197, Georgia has 167, North Carolina has 160. If you are willing to travel, those are the states where an October weekend gives you the most to choose from.
Are there trail 5K races in October?
Yes, 211 races around the United States get you off the pavement: 131 are trail races, and 80 mix road and trail. Surfaces are not always published, so it is worth checking a specific race before you register.
5K 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.