About the Flatwoods 5K
The course runs a loop road through Austin Cary Forest, a working research forest east of downtown Gainesville. The road is unpaved limerock, so expect a natural surface underfoot rather than pavement. Tree canopy, forest sounds, and the smell of pine make it feel more like a trail outing than a road race. Water is available mid-course.
Packet pickup runs the evening before at a local brewery, with race-morning pickup also available at the forest itself. The start and parking are a short drive in from the main gate on Waldo Road, so budget a few extra minutes once you turn off the highway. Post-race refreshments are set up at the finish, and pine cone trophies go to top finishers across age groups.
Free race emails
Get the Weekly RunSesh
Get races near Gainesville in your inbox. Every Monday we send the races coming up, and every Thursday we send the ones happening that weekend.
Two helpful emails per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Distances & Start Times
3.1 Miles10/31/2026 08:30$20
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 Gainesville — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.
The map is provided by Stay22. If you book through it, RunSesh may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it never affects the races we list.
