Sat, Oct 3, 2026

Columbus Race for Global Water 5K

Lewis Center, OH

Registration openAnnual since at least 2016

About the Columbus Race for Global Water 5K

This race raises money for global clean water access, which gives the morning a purpose that goes beyond the miles. The course runs near Alum Reservoir, so expect open water views and relatively even ground underfoot. It draws both runners and walkers, and the cause tends to bring out people who are there for reasons beyond their finishing time.

There is a packet pickup option the evening before at RoadRunner Sports in Worthington, with bib pickup also available on race morning at the reservoir start area. Race-day registration is open if you decide late.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, and the spread of finish times is wide, so this is a mostly recreational race rather than one for club runners.

5K · 2025 results

232finishers

17:15winner

35:40median

1:14:38cutoff

Top 3: Andrew Giovinazzo (17:15) · Spencer Markham (18:09) · Brady Southern (18:18)

The Columbus Race for Global Water 5K has been held every year since at least 2016. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 5K results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

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.

Distances & Start Times

5K10/3/2026 09:30$30

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

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Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the Columbus Race for Global Water 5K

Will I finish last at the Columbus Race for Global Water 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 35:40, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:14:38, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Columbus Race for Global Water 5K a good first 5K?

A field of 232 is big enough that you will have company at your pace without feeling lost in a crowd. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 5K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Columbus Race for Global Water 5K?

The 5K winner ran 17:15 while the median finisher took 35:40. That spread points to a broad, mostly recreational field rather than a race dominated by club runners.