Fri, Feb 12, 2027

Light the Night Flannel 5K

Waterford, MI

Registration openAnnual since at least 2025

Entry is $28 now and rises to $30 after Dec 31, 2026, so registering before then saves $2.

About the Light the Night Flannel 5K

The course winds through Waterford Oaks County Park on a mix of paved and unpaved trail, so expect uneven ground underfoot and, likely, snow. The race takes place in winter darkness, and runners are encouraged to wear light-up accessories, which gives the whole thing a warm, slightly glowing feel out on the trails.

After the finish, there is a bonfire and hot cocoa, and the sky above the park tends to be quiet and clear. The race is also the opener for a two-day event, so if you want to come back the following evening for food trucks and a fireworks display, that option is there.

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Light the Night Flannel 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

222finishers

21:51winner

41:17median

1:18:48cutoff

Top 3: Jared Barnett (21:51) · Sarah Keesling (23:15) · Doug Miles (23:18)

The Light the Night Flannel 5K has been held every year since at least 2025. 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

5K2/12/2027 18:00$28

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

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Common Questions About the Light the Night Flannel 5K

Will I finish last at the Light the Night Flannel 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 41:17, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:18:48, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Light the Night Flannel 5K a good first 5K?

A field of 222 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 5K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Light the Night Flannel 5K?

The 5K winner ran 21:51 while the median finisher took 41:17. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.