About the Fantasy 5K
The course runs along Grand River Avenue through downtown Howell, on the same stretch where the Fantasy of Lights parade follows shortly after. It is an evening race, so you are running at night through a lit downtown corridor. Both distance options share the same route, with the shorter one turning back earlier.
Packet pickup and race-day registration both happen at the First Presbyterian Church on Grand River, which also serves as the start and finish. There is pizza from Hungry Howie's at the finish line. Awards go to top overall, masters, and grandmasters finishers in the main distance.
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Fantasy 5K 2025 Results
Going by the 2025 results, this is a decent-sized field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.
5K Results · 2025
560finishers
16:21winner
31:00median
57:05cutoff
Top 3: Tyler Partridge (16:21) · Grant Ehlert (16:32) · Gavin Wiersma (16:33)
1 Miles Results · 2025
63finishers
7:32winner
12:29median
25:34cutoff
Top 3: Alex Williams (7:32) · Darren Sparks (7:35) · J. Braceros (7:36)
The Fantasy 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.
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 23, 2026.
Distances & Start Times
5K11/27/2026 18:00$35
1 Mile11/27/2026 18:05$35
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.
Where to Stay
Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Howell — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.
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