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5K Races in North Carolina

North Carolina has 397 upcoming 5K races scheduled for 2026. The calendar runs year-round — busiest in August through October, quietest in January, February, and June. No single city dominates the calendar. Charlotte leads with 38 races, followed by Raleigh (19), Concord (18), and Winston-Salem (16). The remaining 77% of the calendar is spread across smaller cities.

5K races by month in North Carolina

Oct (86) · Sep (74) · Aug (69) · Nov (68) · Dec (28) · Jul (21) · Apr (15) · Mar (14) · May (13) · Jun (5) · Jan (3) · Feb (1)

Showing 24 of 397

Running

Eagle 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Charlotte, NC (29)

Charlotte, NC

Running

Eagle 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Charlotte, NC (29)

July 22, 2026
Charlotte, NC
Lighthouse 5k Series July 22, 2026
Running

Lighthouse 5k Series July 22, 2026

July 22, 2026
Corolla, NC
Nags Head Sunrise 5k Beach Race Series Epstein St. Beach Access July 23, 2026
Running

Nags Head Sunrise 5k Beach Race Series Epstein St. Beach Access July 23, 2026

July 23, 2026
Nags Head, NC

Running

Lighthouse 5k Series July 22, 2026

Corolla, NC

Running

Lighthouse 5k Series July 22, 2026

July 23, 2026
Corolla, NC
Run Hatteras 5k Road Race Series July 24, 2026
Running

Run Hatteras 5k Road Race Series July 24, 2026

July 24, 2026
Avon, NC

Running

Nags Head Sunrise 5k Beach Race Series Epstein St. Beach Access July 23, 2026

Nags Head, NC

Running

Nags Head Sunrise 5k Beach Race Series Epstein St. Beach Access July 23, 2026

July 24, 2026
Nags Head, NC
Meet Me at the Fountain 5k
Running

Meet Me at the Fountain 5k

July 25, 2026
Forest City, NC
Biltmore Forest 5k/10k
Running

Biltmore Forest 5k/10k

July 25, 2026
Asheville, NC
Eagle 5K, 10K & 13.1M at Boone, NC (30)
Running

Eagle 5K, 10K & 13.1M at Boone, NC (30)

July 25, 2026
Boone, NC
Melted Snowman 5K
Running

Melted Snowman 5K

July 25, 2026
Charlotte, NC

Running

Run Hatteras 5k Road Race Series July 24, 2026

Avon, NC

Running

Run Hatteras 5k Road Race Series July 24, 2026

July 25, 2026
Avon, NC

Running

Eagle 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Charlotte, NC (30)

Charlotte, NC

Running

Eagle 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Charlotte, NC (30)

July 25, 2026
Charlotte, NC
Eagle 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Charlotte, NC (30)
Running

Eagle 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Charlotte, NC (30)

July 25, 2026
Charlotte, NC
Christmas 5K/10K/Half Marathon in July - Winston Salem
Running

Christmas 5K/10K/Half Marathon in July - Winston Salem

July 26, 2026
Winston Salem, NC
Hit the Staxx 10K/5K
Running

Hit the Staxx 10K/5K

July 28, 2026
Greensboro, NC
Lighthouse 5k Series July 29, 2026
Running

Lighthouse 5k Series July 29, 2026

July 29, 2026
Corolla, NC
Run Hatteras 5k Road Race Series July 31, 2026
Running

Run Hatteras 5k Road Race Series July 31, 2026

July 31, 2026
Avon, NC

Running

Lighthouse 5k Series July 29, 2026

Corolla, NC

Running

Lighthouse 5k Series July 29, 2026

July 31, 2026
Corolla, NC
The NC Watermelon Festival 5K
Running

The NC Watermelon Festival 5K

August 1, 2026
Murfreesboro, NC
Bark & Bolt 5k, 1 mile & 100 meter
Running

Bark & Bolt 5k, 1 mile & 100 meter

August 1, 2026
Hendersonville, NC
GIVE HOPE 5K - STRIDES TO END HOMELESSNESS
Running

GIVE HOPE 5K - STRIDES TO END HOMELESSNESS

August 1, 2026
Concord, NC
Living the Dream 5K Race
Running

Living the Dream 5K Race

August 1, 2026
Mooresville, NC
Ninja 5K, & 13.1M at Hickory, NC (31)
Running

Ninja 5K, & 13.1M at Hickory, NC (31)

August 1, 2026
Hickory, NC
Ninja 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Rocky Mount, NC (31)
Running

Ninja 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Rocky Mount, NC (31)

August 1, 2026
Rocky Mount, NC

Top Cities for 5K Races in North Carolina

Frequently asked questions

How long is a 5K race?
A 5K is 3.1 miles (5 kilometers). It is the most popular race distance in the US and a great starting point for new runners. RACE lists thousands of 5K events across all 50 states.
What is a good 5K time for beginners?
A good beginner 5K time is 30-35 minutes. Many first-time runners aim to complete the distance without stopping. The average US 5K finish time is around 28 minutes.
How do I find a 5K near me?
Use the RACE search bar to enter your zip code or state and filter by distance. You can also browse by month to find races that fit your schedule. Turkey Trots in November and charity 5Ks are especially popular.
How long does it take to train for a 5K?
Most couch-to-5K programs are 6-8 weeks long with 3 runs per week. If you can already jog for 10-15 minutes, you could be ready in 4-6 weeks with consistent training.