Select month(s)
MarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberJanuary 2025February 20255k Runs in California
5k (or 3.1mile) running events are hugely popular and easily accessible, especially with the wide variety that California has on offer. Fun runs are a great way of getting kids, friends, family, or even the dog involved with running. These races often require fancy dress or getting covered in bubbles, colors, or mud! They also sometimes have a charitable focus, so they are great opportunities for fundraising and community-building whilst keeping fit. Many larger running festivals often offer a 5k distance event, so that runners of all abilities can get involved. For example, at the Surf City Marathon and Half Marathon, which attracts over 20,000 participants each year, there is a 5k option on the same day. However, our personal favorite 5k event in California is the Carlsbad 5000, which is a super fast, record-breaking course. It has a big atmosphere, and always treats racers to a well-earned craft beer at the finish line.
Saturday, 30 Mar 2024
1. Hope Easter Run 5K/10K/13.1 SAN DIEGO
San Diego, California
5k, 10k, half marathon and more
Saturday, 30 Mar 2024
2. Sunrise Marathon SAN DIEGO
San Diego, California
5k, 10k, half marathon
Saturday, 30 Mar 2024
3. Run SAN DIEGO 5K/10K/13.1 SPRING
San Diego, California
5k, 10k, half marathon
Saturday, 30 Mar 2024
4. Hope Easter Run 5K/10K/13.1 SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco, California
5k, 10k, half marathon and more
Saturday, 30 Mar 2024
5. Hope Easter Run 5K/10K/13.1 LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles, California
5k, 10k, half marathon and more
Saturday, 30 Mar 2024
6. Hope Easter Run 5K/10K/13.1 SACRAMENTO
Sacramento, California
5k, 10k, half marathon and more
Saturday, 27 Apr 2024
7. Arbor Day: Run for Earth SACRAMENTO
Sacramento, California
5k, 10k, half marathon and more
Saturday, 4 May 2024
8. Cinco De Mayo: Run Against All Odds SACRAMENTO
Sacramento, California
5k, 10k, half marathon and more
Saturday, 4 May 2024
9. Wine Lovers Run LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles, California
5k, 10k, half marathon
(1 reviews)
Saturday, 11 May 2024
10. Autism Shero Run
Los Angeles, California
5k, 10k and more
(1 reviews)
Saturday, 15 Jun 2024
11. Sugar Daddy Half Marathon, 10k & 5k
Santa Clarita, California
half marathon, 5k, 10k and more
(6 reviews)
Saturday, 29 Jun 2024
12. Snails Keep MOVING Run LA
Los Angeles, California
5k, 10k, half marathon and more
Saturday, 6 Jul 2024
13. July 4th Freedom Run LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas, Nevada
5k, 10k, half marathon and more
Saturday, 6 Jul 2024
14. July 4th Freedom Run SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco, California
5k, 10k, half marathon and more
Saturday, 6 Jul 2024
15. July 4th Freedom Run SAN DIEGO
San Diego, California
5k, 10k, half marathon and more
Saturday, 6 Jul 2024
16. Run SACRAMENTO 'CITY OF TREES' 5K/10K/13.1 SUMMER
Sacramento, California
5k
Saturday, 10 Aug 2024
17. Sloth Runners Race 5K/10K/13.1 SACRAMENTO
Sacramento, California
5k, 10k, half marathon
Saturday, 10 Aug 2024
18. Sloth Runners Race 5K/10K/13.1 LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas, Nevada
5k, 10k, half marathon
Saturday, 10 Aug 2024
19. Sloth Runners Race 5K/10K/13.1 LA
Los Angeles, California
5k, 10k, half marathon
Saturday, 10 Aug 2024
20. Sloth Runners Race 5K/10K/13.1 SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco, California
5k, 10k, half marathon
Saturday, 21 Sept 2024
21. Be the Light 5k & 10k
Santa Clarita, California
5k, 10k
Saturday, 5 Oct 2024
22. SPACEROCK Trail Race
Agua Dulce, California
half marathon, 5k, 10k and more
(2 reviews)
Sunday, 27 Oct 2024
23. Hidden World 5k & 10k
Los Angeles, California
5k, 10k and more
(1 reviews)
Friday, 22 Mar 2024
24. CSDR's 5th Annual Cub 5k Run/Walk hosted by the PE Department
Riverside, California
5k
Saturday, 23 Mar 2024
29. Taking Stride With Pride: A 5K + Health & Wellness Fair
San Jose, California
5k
Saturday, 23 Mar 2024
30. Snails Run 5K/10K/13.1 LOS ANGELES
Santa Monica, California
5k, 10k, half marathon and more
Saturday, 23 Mar 2024
31. Sloth Run 5K/10K/13.1 SAN DIEGO
San Diego, California
5k, 10k, half marathon and more
Saturday, 23 Mar 2024
35. Intelliswift Presents Fiercelifit Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
Fremont, California
half marathon, 10k, 5k
Saturday, 23 Mar 2024
36. Empowering All Abilities Run/Walk & 50th Anniversary Celebration
South Pasadena, California
5k, 10k and more
Saturday, 23 Mar 2024
37. Cat in the Hat Run 5K, 10K, 10 Miler and Half Marathon
Long Beach, California
5k, 10k, half marathon and more
Saturday, 23 Mar 2024
42. Marina 10k, 5k, Double 15k and Kids 1 Mile at Brisbane California
Brisbane, California
10k, 5k and more
Sunday, 24 Mar 2024
44. Reaching for the Cure Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, & 1K
Irvine, California
half marathon, 10k, 5k and more
About 5k events in the United States
5ks are the most accessible of the regular race distances and are very popular as a result. You'll find a mixed bag of competitors, from newbies to running veterans all competing in the same events. There are loads of 5k events throughout Cali, large and small, at all times of the year so it's never a bad time to book onto your first (or fifteenth) event.
What are the best 5k events?
People run these events for all sorts of reasons, from fitness goals to charity fundraising, but one constant is the amount of friendly faces and fancy dress you'll see - these are the events to have fun at. If you love the big atmosphere, the largest running festivals often host a series of shorter races. The California International Marathon is a great example as they host a popular 5k race on the same day as the marathon.
What is the average time to run a 5k?
Finishing times will vary depending on fitness levels, motivation and training. The real speedsters can run 5k in under 14 minutes. but, for the rest of us, it can take anything from 30 minutes to an hour. Half an hour is considered a very good time, especially for someone new to running. You'd have to run at a pace of 9.5 minutes per mile for the whole race to achieve this.
After you've completed a few 5k events, you might even feel like trying your hand at 10k, check out our race calendar to see if there's something for you.
How long should I train for a 5k?
You might be tempted to enter a 5k without training. If you want to do anything other than walk it, we would advise that you take on our 6 weeks to 5k training plan. Training will not only allow you to unlock your running potential and set a strong PR but it will also minimise the risk of injury. It's definitely worth building up to an event.