Sat, Jun 5, 2027

Cuyahoga Valley Cross Country 5K

Akron, OH

Opens Nov 27, 2026Annual since at least 2023

5K1 Mile

About the Cuyahoga Valley Cross Country 5K

The course runs on natural wooded trails through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, rolling over hills the whole way. The footing is uneven in places and some stretches are narrow, so it earns its cross-country label. Strollers are not a good fit here, but runners who want something other than pavement will find the terrain satisfying.

After the race, fruit, snacks and water are set out for everyone, and a food truck is parked near the finish area. That same spot sits close to the kids dash course, so finishing the trail run and then watching younger runners go is a natural progression for the morning.

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Cuyahoga Valley Cross Country 5K 2026 Results

Going by the 2026 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

5K Results · 2026

155finishers

17:05winner

30:31median

56:04cutoff

Top 3: James Johnston (17:05) · Erick Carlson (17:14) · Mitch Gillespie (18:51)

The Cuyahoga Valley Cross Country 5K has been held every year since at least 2023. 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 Oct 24, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K6/5/2027 09:00$40

1 Mile6/5/2027 10:00$5

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.

Not sure what to aim for? The 5K pace chart lists the pace for every finish time.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the Cuyahoga Valley Cross Country 5K

Will I finish last at the Cuyahoga Valley Cross Country 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 30:31, and the last recorded finisher came in around 56:04, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Cuyahoga Valley Cross Country 5K a good first 5K?

It is a small race (155 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. 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 Cuyahoga Valley Cross Country 5K?

The 5K winner ran 17:05 while the median finisher took 30:31. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.

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