Sat, Dec 19, 2026

Winter Whirl - 5K, 10K, Half Marathon

Fountain Valley, CA

Registration openAnnual since at least 2023
5K10KHalf Marathon

Entry is $29.50 now and rises to $45 after Dec 18, 2026, so registering before then saves $15.50.

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About the Winter Whirl - 5K, 10K, Half Marathon

The course runs through Mile Square Park on open paths shared with other park visitors, so expect to step around the occasional dog walker or cyclist. The route is a loop, meaning the start and finish are in the same spot. The shorter distances repeat the loop, while the half marathon adds an out-and-back stretch. Terrain is flat throughout.

Bib pickup runs the evening before at a local running store, with morning pickup opening before the first wave goes off. The park charges for parking, though limited street parking sits nearby. Gear check is available at the registration tent if you want to leave a bag with staff. There is a water station and restrooms along the course.

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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

27finishers
24:07winner
36:17median
54:52cutoff

Top 3: Shaun Spees (24:07) · Jose Perez (25:47) · Neydin Ayala (27:05)

13.1 Miles · 2025 results

19finishers
1:42:46winner
2:17:11median
3:20:00cutoff

Top 3: Colin Ford (1:42:46) · Spencer Macturk (1:42:53) · Kyle Warrington (1:44:10)

10K · 2025 results

17finishers
51:10winner
1:08:41median
1:40:00cutoff

Top 3: Fernando Rodriguez (51:10) · Steve Hernandez (57:30) · Ting Huen Chu (1:04:27)

10 Miles · 2025 results

3finishers
1:09:05winner
1:38:22median
1:43:10cutoff

Top 3: Trévon Session (1:09:05) · Anonymous Anonymous (1:38:22) · William Barth (1:43:10)

The Winter Whirl - 5K, 10K, Half Marathon 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 Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K12/19/2026 08:30$30
10K12/19/2026 08:30$35
13.1 Miles12/19/2026 08:00$45

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Common Questions About the Winter Whirl - 5K, 10K, Half Marathon

Will I finish last at the Winter Whirl - 5K, 10K, Half Marathon?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 36:17, and the last recorded finisher came in around 54:52, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Winter Whirl - 5K, 10K, Half Marathon a good first 5K?

It is a small race (27 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 Winter Whirl - 5K, 10K, Half Marathon?

The 5K winner ran 24:07 while the median finisher took 36:17. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.

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