Every upcoming 5K around Memphis, with start times, entry fees, finish-time stats from past editions, start-line maps, and the local run clubs to train with.
39 upcoming 5K races found · 6 with finish-time stats
Memphis running has a geography all its own: the riverfront bluff downtown, the shaded loops inside Overton Park's Old Forest, the long paved corridor of the Shelby Farms Greenline stretching from Midtown east toward the park. Midtown is the social heart of it, but the Mississippi draws people back whenever they want a run that feels like the city.
The calendar here leans heavily toward fall, when the riverfront and downtown routes are at their most comfortable and races cluster thick enough that you can almost pick one to match a Saturday on your training plan rather than the other way around.
By the numbers
The Biggest and Longest-Running
The Memphis races that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.
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 Jul 27, 2026.
Common Questions About Running a 5K in Memphis
What does a typical Memphis 5K field actually look like - will I be the slowest one there?
Across the 6 RunSignup 5K editions with published results on RunSesh, walkers and charity entrants included, the median finisher crossed in 36:52 and the median last finisher crossed in 1:03:37. Those numbers suggest a wide, welcoming spread. The median field size was 109 runners, so you are racing with people, not against a stopwatch in a crowd of thousands.
What will it cost me to enter, and does the price go up if I wait?
Entry fees run from $22 to $45, with $30 being typical. Three races already have a price increase scheduled, so for those it genuinely does cost more to wait. Check the individual race pages to see which ones have a deadline coming.
Is this a good distance if I have never raced before?
Most of the races here also offer a 10K and a half marathon on the same day, so you can step up if you are ready - or stay at 3.1 miles without feeling like you picked the wrong event. Many also include a 1-mile option, which is useful if you are bringing someone who is not yet running-ready.
Am I going to get a shirt?
37 of the 38 races here say they give a shirt. One race - Miles of Miracles 5K - has not published any giveaway details, so check its page directly before you assume. Only 1 race mentions a medal.
When is the best time of year to find a Memphis 5K?
Fall is the busiest stretch, with 17 races from September through November and September alone carrying 7 of them. If your training block lands in spring, the calendar is much thinner - only 1 race runs March through May - so plan accordingly.
