Sat, Aug 15, 2026

MAD 5K

New London, CT

Registration openAnnual since at least 2025

Entry is $35 now and rises to $40 after Aug 14, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the MAD 5K

The course runs along the waterfront at Ocean Beach Park, with water visible for much of the route. The road is mostly flat with no significant climbing. The race benefits the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, and that mission shapes the atmosphere: there are military booths, local vendors, and a formal ceremony on the boardwalk stage later in the day.

Parking at Ocean Beach Park is free. The broader event runs well past the race itself, so arriving early and staying late is worth considering. Active-duty military, veterans, and their families can attend the full day's activities at no charge with valid military identification.

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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

106finishers

18:38winner

32:46median

1:00:27cutoff

Top 3: Andrew Brown (18:38) · Freddy Taveras (18:46) · Robert Block (20:48)

The MAD 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 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 Miles8/15/2026 09:00$35

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 MAD 5K

Will I finish last at the MAD 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.1 Miles field finished slower than 32:46, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:00:27, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the MAD 5K a good first 3.1 Miles?

It is a small race (106 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 MAD 5K?

The 3.1 Miles winner ran 18:38 while the median finisher took 32:46. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.