Sat, May 22, 2027

Race for the Red 5K

Grand Rapids, MI

Registration openAnnual since at least 2026

Entry is $40 now and rises to $45 after Nov 30, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Race for the Red 5K

The course runs along paved paths through Riverside Park, near the baseball fields. It stays flat throughout, with a few rough patches worth watching underfoot. One of the more distinctive elements is the Turnout Challenge, where firefighters can run the whole thing in full gear, coat and pants, which draws its own crowd and its own award.

Packet pickup happens next to the start line on race morning, beside the bathhouse, with plenty of time before the gun. Parking is available in the park lot and along Monroe Avenue. After the race, a food truck sets up on site, and free donuts are out while supplies last.

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Race for the Red 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

221finishers

19:11winner

34:20median

1:08:06cutoff

Top 3: Jalen Bel (19:11) · Connor ODonohue (19:15) · Elijah Quigley (19:46)

The Race for the Red 5K has been held every year since at least 2026. 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 Oct 25, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K5/22/2027 09:30$40

Kids Run5/22/2027 10:30$10

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 Race for the Red 5K

Will I finish last at the Race for the Red 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 34:20, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:08:06, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Race for the Red 5K a good first 5K?

A field of 221 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 Race for the Red 5K?

The 5K winner ran 19:11 while the median finisher took 34:20. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.