Sat, Oct 17, 2026

The Little Way 5K

Rochester, NY

Registration openAnnual since at least 2025

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

About the Little Way 5K

The course runs along the Genesee River trail, starting at Riverbend Shelter. Trail running means packed path rather than pavement, with the river close by. It is a school fundraiser, so the crowd skews toward families, and strollers are welcome on the course.

Packet pickup runs the day before at St. John Bosco Schools on Garfield Street. If you miss it, there is race-morning pickup at Riverbend Shelter before the start. Parking is available at the shelter, though carpooling is encouraged. Race-day registration is open if you have not signed up ahead of time.

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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

70finishers

19:36winner

35:41median

1:00:52cutoff

Top 3: Peter Van Lieshout (19:36) · Matthew Bowers (20:25) · Ben Anderson (21:06)

The Little Way 5K has been held every year since at least 2025. 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 Sep 10, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

3.1 Miles10/17/2026 09:00$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.

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Common Questions About the The Little Way 5K

Will I finish last at the Little Way 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.1 Miles field finished slower than 35:41, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:00:52, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Little Way 5K a good first 3.1 Miles?

It is a small race (70 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 3.1 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Little Way 5K?

The 3.1 Miles winner ran 19:36 while the median finisher took 35:41. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.