Sun, Oct 25, 2026

Oktoberfest 5-Miler

Columbia, MD

Registration openAnnual since at least 2016

5 Miles

Entry is $55 now and rises to $60 after Oct 11, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Oktoberfest 5-Miler

The course winds around Lake Elkhorn, so you are running alongside water for most of the route. It is a fall race, and the trees around the lake tend to be turning, which makes the whole thing feel like a deliberate choice of setting rather than a convenient one.

After the race, the party moves to Black Flag Brewing Co. The race also directs a portion of its proceeds to a local housing stability organization, which gives the morning a bit of context beyond the run itself.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a decent-sized field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

5 Miles · 2025 results

628finishers

28:18winner

51:48median

1:41:18cutoff

Top 3: Ross Kidd (28:18) · Tanka Magar (28:46) · Matthew Schricker (29:24)

The Oktoberfest 5-Miler has been held every year since at least 2016. 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 5 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

5 Miles10/25/2026 00:00$55

5 Miles10/25/2026 08:00$55

5 Miles10/25/2026 00:00$55

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 Oktoberfest 5-Miler

Will I finish last at the Oktoberfest 5-Miler?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5 Miles field finished slower than 51:48, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:41:18, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Oktoberfest 5-Miler a good first 5 Miles?

A field of 628 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 5 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Oktoberfest 5-Miler?

The 5 Miles winner ran 28:18 while the median finisher took 51:48. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.