Sat, Sep 26, 2026

Soles 4 Paws 5K

Carthage, MO

Registration openAnnual since at least 2024

5K1K

Entry is $30 now and rises to $35 after Sep 21, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Soles 4 Paws 5K

The course runs through Carthage Municipal Park and benefits the local humane society. Dogs are welcome on non-retractable leashes, and the shorter distance is designed specifically for four-legged participants. The two main distance options start in sequence, with the canine and solo heats staggered slightly for safety. Strollers are welcome, and the course is USATF-certified.

Pet treats and human food are both at the finish, with the food handled by a catering truck. A local photography outfit provides race pictures for free download after the event. Music plays at the finish line, and gift certificates from a running shop are among the post-race extras.

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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.

5K · 2025 results

45finishers

23:26winner

35:39median

58:09cutoff

Top 3: Benjamin Sawyer (23:26) · Kevin Harrold (23:45) · Zahara Shepherd (24:24)

The Soles 4 Paws 5K has been held every year since at least 2024. 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 Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K9/26/2026 08:30$30

1K9/26/2026 08:00$25

5K9/26/2026 08:00$50

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.

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Common Questions About the Soles 4 Paws 5K

Will I finish last at the Soles 4 Paws 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 35:39, and the last recorded finisher came in around 58:09, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Soles 4 Paws 5K a good first 5K?

It is a small race (45 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 Soles 4 Paws 5K?

The 5K winner ran 23:26 while the median finisher took 35:39. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.