Sun, Nov 15, 2026

2026 KU Vets Day 5K

Lawrence, KS

Registration openAnnual since at least 2017

Entry is $30 now and rises to $40 after Oct 24, 2026, so registering before then saves $10.

About the 2026 KU Vets Day 5K

The race starts and finishes at the Jayhawk Welcome Center on campus, and the course passes a Vietnam War memorial that the race is specifically organized to honor. That memorial is the reason the event exists, and runners tend to feel that as they go by it. The whole morning has a commemorative tone rather than a competitive one.

Packet pickup is offered across several days before race day, including at a local running store on Massachusetts Street and at a campus building, with a final window at the start area on race morning. Free parking is available in lots near the Spencer Museum of Art and Memorial Stadium, with additional paid options in a nearby garage off Mississippi Street.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a decent-sized field, and the spread of finish times is wide, so this is a mostly recreational race rather than one for club runners.

3.1 Miles · 2025 results

460finishers

13:07winner

33:06median

1:11:30cutoff

Top 3: Trevor Newman (17:48) · Ethan_ Franz (18:05) · Chase Perkins (18:11)

The 2026 KU Vets Day 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 Miles11/15/2026 09:00$30

3.1 Miles11/15/2026 09:00$40

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 2026 KU Vets Day 5K

Will I finish last at the 2026 KU Vets Day 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.1 Miles field finished slower than 33:06, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:11:30, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the 2026 KU Vets Day 5K a good first 3.1 Miles?

A field of 460 is big enough that you will have company at your pace without feeling lost in a crowd. 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 2026 KU Vets Day 5K?

The 3.1 Miles winner ran 13:07 while the median finisher took 33:06. That spread points to a broad, mostly recreational field rather than a race dominated by club runners.