Sat, Sep 12, 2026

Kandace Helms 5k

Lincolnton, NC

Registration openAnnual since at least 2017

5K200 Yards

Entry is $25 now and rises to $30 after Jul 30, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Kandace Helms 5k

The race takes place at Betty G Ross Park in Lincolnton, a setting that fits the spirit of the event well. The course is a standard road distance, open to runners and walkers alike, and the atmosphere reflects what the race was built around: people gathering to honor someone they loved. Placing in your age group is very much on the table, with categories spanning from young runners through seniors.

Packet pickup and registration open on race morning at the park, so there is no separate trip the day before. A short fun run starts first, with the main race following shortly after.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

3.1 Miles · 2025 results

75finishers

18:32winner

28:52median

55:42cutoff

Top 3: Colt Wilson (18:32) · Matt Edwards (19:59) · Kade Sturgill (22:04)

The Kandace Helms 5k has been held every year since at least 2017. 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 3.1 Miles 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

3.1 Miles9/12/2026 08:30$25

200 Yards9/12/2026 08:00Free

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.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the Kandace Helms 5k

Will I finish last at the Kandace Helms 5k?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.1 Miles field finished slower than 28:52, and the last recorded finisher came in around 55:42, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Kandace Helms 5k a good first 3.1 Miles?

It is a small race (75 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 3.1 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Kandace Helms 5k?

The 3.1 Miles winner ran 18:32 while the median finisher took 28:52. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.