Sun, Oct 18, 2026

The Salisbury Beast 5K

Salisbury, CT

Registration openAnnual since at least 2021

Entry is $45 now and rises to $55 after Oct 17, 2026, so registering before then saves $10.

About the Salisbury Beast 5K

The course heads straight uphill from the start, climbing hard through the first mile before reversing at the summit and coming back down the same steep grade. The descent is fast, and on a clear autumn morning the views of Lake Wononscopomuc open up on both sides as you drop. This is a genuinely difficult short race, not a gentle one.

Proceeds go toward adventure, arts, and educational programming for teenagers in rural New England, with a portion this year supporting a ski patrol youth program at Catamount Resort. The cause is local and specific, which gives the race a purpose beyond the finish line.

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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

52finishers

22:22winner

35:16median

1:01:17cutoff

The Salisbury Beast 5K has been held every year since at least 2021. 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 Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

3.1 Miles10/18/2026 09:30$45

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 The Salisbury Beast 5K

Will I finish last at the Salisbury Beast 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.1 Miles field finished slower than 35:16, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:01:17, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Salisbury Beast 5K a good first 3.1 Miles?

It is a small race (52 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 Salisbury Beast 5K?

The 3.1 Miles winner ran 22:22 while the median finisher took 35:16. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.