Sat, Jul 3, 2027

Topeka Road Run

Topeka, IN

Registration openAnnual since at least 2021
5K1 Mile

About the Topeka Road Run

This race has been run every Independence Day for decades, making it the longest-running consecutive race in the state, and it kicks off the town's full celebration before the parade, the watermelon-eating contest, and the fireworks get going. The course starts at a park on the east side of Topeka and winds through local streets. Both a short kids' run and a longer open race are offered.

Packet pickup opens early morning at the pavilion inside the park, and race-day registration is also available. The race is essentially the opening act for the rest of the day's festivities, so the park tends to fill up quickly with families planning to stick around for everything that follows.

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Topeka Road Run 2026 Results

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

5K Results · 2026

245finishers
15:44winner
28:21median
1:04:02cutoff

Top 3: Jack Beakas (15:44) · Richmond Stoltzfus (15:56) · Andy Williams (15:59)

1 Miles Results · 2026

59finishers
5:50winner
8:53median
15:33cutoff

Top 3: Ellis Payne (5:50) · J. Patel (5:52) · K. Stabler (6:04)

The Topeka Road Run 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 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 Nov 12, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K7/3/2027 08:30$20
1 Mile7/3/2027 08:15$15

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.

Not sure what to aim for? The 5K pace chart lists the pace for every finish time.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Topeka — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.

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Common Questions About the Topeka Road Run

Will I finish last at the Topeka Road Run?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 28:21, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:04:02, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Topeka Road Run a good first 5K?

A field of 245 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 Topeka Road Run?

The 5K winner ran 15:44 while the median finisher took 28:21. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.

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