Sat, Jan 9, 2027

Mutts & Marshmallows

Cary, NC

Registration openAnnual since at least 2014

8K5K1 Mile

Entry is $25 now and rises to $30 after Nov 6, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Mutts & Marshmallows

The course runs through WakeMed Soccer Park on a cross country layout, with grass, dirt, and natural trails underfoot. Footing varies depending on how much rain fell in the days before, so expect anything from firm turf to soft, muddy ground. Spikes or trail shoes are worth considering.

Dogs run here alongside their people, which sets the tone for the morning. Several distance options are available, including a shorter fun distance for those who want something easier. Hot chocolate is at the finish, and the whole event benefits the SPCA of Wake County.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2026 results, this is a decent-sized field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

5K · 2026 results

349finishers

20:14winner

36:44median

1:04:30cutoff

Top 3: Evan Pierce (20:14) · Casey Degnan (21:12) · Adam Nabewaniec (21:15)

8K · 2026 results

74finishers

28:57winner

52:06median

1:12:03cutoff

Top 3: Zachary Ferguson (28:57) · Grant Schowalter (33:00) · Vince Hua (35:14)

1 Miles · 2026 results

21finishers

7:45winner

11:12median

17:22cutoff

Top 3: D. Lallinger (7:45) · Elisabeth Crecink (8:29) · Renee Hoot (8:29)

The Mutts & Marshmallows has been held every year since at least 2014. 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 Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

8K1/9/2027 09:00$45

5K1/9/2027 09:00$35

1 Mile1/9/2027 09:00$25

Kids in Strollers1/9/2027 09:00$5

8K1/9/2027 09:00$35

5K1/9/2027 09:00$35

1 Mile1/9/2027 09:00$35

Exhibitor1/9/2027 09:00$100

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.

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Common Questions About the Mutts & Marshmallows

Will I finish last at the Mutts & Marshmallows?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 36:44, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:04:30, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Mutts & Marshmallows a good first 5K?

A field of 349 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 Mutts & Marshmallows?

The 5K winner ran 20:14 while the median finisher took 36:44. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.