Fri, Jan 1, 2027

First Day 5K

Clarkston, MI

Registration openAnnual since at least 2026

Entry is $30 now and rises to $35 after Nov 30, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the First Day 5K

The race runs through Independence Oaks, a county park on the edge of Clarkston, on the first morning of the new year. Expect winter trail conditions underfoot and bare trees in every direction. It draws the kind of crowd that wants to start the year moving rather than sitting, so the pace across the field tends to be relaxed but purposeful.

Hot chocolate and treats are at the finish, which goes a long way on a cold New Year's morning. The park setting means parking is contained and the start area does not spill into traffic, which keeps the morning straightforward.

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First Day 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

142finishers

19:55winner

32:49median

1:10:39cutoff

Top 3: Parker Austin (19:55) · Michael Trescone (21:45) · Jack Rogers (22:12)

The First Day 5K has been held every year since at least 2026. 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 Nov 12, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K1/1/2027 10:00$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.

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

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Clarkston — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.

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Common Questions About the First Day 5K

Will I finish last at the First Day 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 32:49, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:10:39, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the First Day 5K a good first 5K?

It is a small race (142 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 First Day 5K?

The 5K winner ran 19:55 while the median finisher took 32:49. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.