Sun, Feb 14, 2027

Run for the Roses 5K

Raleigh, NC

Registration openAnnual since at least 2026

Entry is $40 now and rises to $45 after Jan 31, 2027, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Run for the Roses 5K

The course runs mostly along the Walnut Creek Greenway, flat and paved through a natural corridor. A few short off-road stretches break it up, including a gravel parking lot and a dirt path through a softball complex. No significant hills, and the greenway sections make up the bulk of the distance.

Early packet pickup is at a Fleet Feet location in Raleigh the day before the race. Race-day registration and pickup open well before the start. Afterward, there are kids' fun runs and awards, and the race collects pet food donations for local animal rescue organizations on both pickup day and race morning.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2026 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

5K · 2026 results

191finishers

17:24winner

30:41median

1:04:50cutoff

Top 3: Alex Domiano (17:24) · Noah Flores (17:42) · Brigid Brennan (18:16)

The Run for the Roses 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 Sep 10, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K2/14/2027 14:00$40

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 Run for the Roses 5K

Will I finish last at the Run for the Roses 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 30:41, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:04:50, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Run for the Roses 5K a good first 5K?

It is a small race (191 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 5K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Run for the Roses 5K?

The 5K winner ran 17:24 while the median finisher took 30:41. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.