Race calendar · October 2026 · Pennsylvania

October 2026 5K Races in Pennsylvania

Every 5K in Pennsylvania in October 2026, all 160 of them, sorted by date. Dates, entry fees, finish-time stats from past results, and start-line maps.

160 5K races in October 2026

What the field actually runs

October 5K Races, By the Numbers

32:11Median finish time
19:17Median winning time
104Median field size
73October 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 43 of them. Another 5 fall on a weekday.

  1. Oct 3 – Oct 443
  2. Oct 10 – Oct 1134
  3. Oct 17 – Oct 1826
  4. Oct 24 – Oct 2535
  5. Oct 31 – Nov 117

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.

Soonest 5K Races in October

160 total

Common Questions About Running an October 5K in Pennsylvania

When in October are most 5K races held?

The busiest weekend in Pennsylvania is October 3 and October 4, with 43 5K races on those two days, and the single busiest day is Saturday, October 3 with 30. Another 5 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. 57 of these October 5K races already have a price increase on the calendar, and 152 are open for entry right now. Another 5 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 $60, and 5 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 73 of these October 5K races with published results from past editions, the median finisher ran 32:11, and the median winning time was 19:17. So anything under 32:11 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 104 runners, across the 73 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 58:16.

Are there trail 5K races in Pennsylvania in October?

Yes, 8 races around Pennsylvania get you off the pavement: 6 are trail races, and 2 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.