Sat, May 8, 2027

Run the Branch 5k

Clayton, NC

Opens Mar 1, 2027Annual since at least 2023

5K176 Yards

Entry is $30 now and rises to $45 after Apr 15, 2027, so registering before then saves $15.

About the Run the Branch 5k

The course runs out from Municipal Park along Sam's Branch Greenway and turns back the same way. It is a straight out-and-back on a paved greenway, so the terrain is smooth and the route is simple. There is also a short untimed kids' dash for younger children on the event lawn.

Packet pickup is offered the evening before at Deep River Brewing Company on Main Street, with race-morning pickup available at the Caterpillar Stage inside Municipal Park. Strollers are welcome on the course, though pets are not permitted.

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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

231finishers

19:48winner

34:29median

1:22:23cutoff

Top 3: Mason Casey (19:48) · Jack Della Rosa (20:17) · Maliki Whitlow (20:24)

The Run the Branch 5k has been held every year since at least 2023. 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 22, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K5/8/2027 09:00$30

176 Yards5/8/2027 09:45Free

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 the Branch 5k

Will I finish last at the Run the Branch 5k?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 34:29, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:22:23, 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 the Branch 5k a good first 5K?

A field of 231 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 Run the Branch 5k?

The 5K winner ran 19:48 while the median finisher took 34:29. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.