Sat, Aug 15, 2026

2026 Palmer 5K

Palmer, PA

Registration openAnnual since at least 2016

Entry is $35 now and rises to $40 after Aug 12, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the 2026 Palmer 5K

The course follows a bike path through Palmer and Bethlehem Townships, so the surface is smooth and the route stays away from traffic. It starts and finishes in the same spot at Fairview Park, and the out-and-back shape means you get a sense of the whole field as you turn around. Proceeds support a barrier-free baseball field built for children and young adults with disabilities.

The race is part of a broader community day that runs across several days, so there is activity around the park beyond just the running. Food and refreshments are available both before and after, and restrooms are near the start and finish area.

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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

298finishers

17:06winner

30:49median

1:03:37cutoff

Top 3: Evan Guydish (17:06) · Sean Guydish (17:29) · Alex Jones (17:37)

The 2026 Palmer 5K 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 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 2026 Palmer 5K

Will I finish last at the 2026 Palmer 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.1 Miles field finished slower than 30:49, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:03:37, 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 Palmer 5K a good first 3.1 Miles?

A field of 298 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 Palmer 5K?

The 3.1 Miles winner ran 17:06 while the median finisher took 30:49. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.