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Running Events5k RunsCalifornia

5k 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.

64 events found
2024 Surf City Marathon presented by 361°
Booked 22 times this week

Saturday, 3 Feb 2024

2024 Surf City Marathon presented by 361°

LocationIndicator

Huntington Beach, California

Participants

marathon, half marathon, 5k

Star5

(1 reviews)

FilledTicket$20 – $119
Booking perksGreat atmosphereFlat road
Heart
IPA10K + Brewfest + Beer Mile
Booked 1 time this week

Saturday, 15 Apr 2023

IPA10K + Brewfest + Beer Mile

LocationIndicator

Sebastopol, California

Participants

10k, 5k

FilledTicket$25 – $125
Booking perksFlat road
Heart
Sugar Daddy Half Marathon, 10k & 5k
Booked 1 time this week

Saturday, 17 Jun 2023

Sugar Daddy Half Marathon, 10k & 5k

LocationIndicator

Santa Clarita, California

Participants

half marathon, 5k, 10k

Star4.5

(1 reviews)

FilledTicket$40 – $155
Booking perksGreat atmosphereFlat road
Heart
Great American Race

Tuesday, 4 Jul 2023

Great American Race

LocationIndicator

Visalia, California

Participants

5k, 10k

FilledTicket$35 – $45
Booking perksFlat trail
Heart
Be the Light 5k & 10k
Booked 2 times this week

Saturday, 23 Sept 2023

Be the Light 5k & 10k

LocationIndicator

Santa Clarita, California

Participants

5k, 10k

FilledTicket$50 – $75
Booking perksFlat road
Heart
SPACEROCK Trail Race

Saturday, 21 Oct 2023

SPACEROCK Trail Race

LocationIndicator

Agua Dulce, California

Participants

half marathon, 5k, 10k

Star5

(2 reviews)

FilledTicket$75 – $145
Booking perksGreat atmosphereTrail
Heart
Drumstick Dash
Booked 2 times this week

Thursday, 23 Nov 2023

Drumstick Dash

LocationIndicator

Los Angeles, California

Participants

5k, 10k

FilledTicket$10 – $40
Booking perksFlat road
Heart
Foam Glow - Fresno, California

Saturday, 25 Mar 2023

Foam Glow - Fresno, California

LocationIndicator

Fresno, California

Participants

5k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Heart
The Mighty Dog Trail Runs

Saturday, 25 Mar 2023

The Mighty Dog Trail Runs

LocationIndicator

Granite Bay, California

Participants

10k, 5k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Flat trail
Heart
South Hills Single Track Trail Run

Saturday, 25 Mar 2023

South Hills Single Track Trail Run

LocationIndicator

San Jose, California

Participants

half marathon, marathon, 5k, 10k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Great sceneryTrail
Heart
Bubble Run - Anaheim

Saturday, 25 Mar 2023

Bubble Run - Anaheim

LocationIndicator

Anaheim, California

Participants

5k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Trail
Heart
La Jolla Coastal 5k Running Tour - March 25th

Saturday, 25 Mar 2023

La Jolla Coastal 5k Running Tour - March 25th

LocationIndicator

San Diego, California

Participants

5k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Great sceneryFlat road
Heart
Screenland 5K 2023

Sunday, 26 Mar 2023

Screenland 5K 2023

LocationIndicator

Culver City, California

Participants

5k

Star5

(5 reviews)

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Great atmosphereGreat sceneryFlat road
Heart
2023 Bakersfield Marathon & Half

Sunday, 26 Mar 2023

2023 Bakersfield Marathon & Half

LocationIndicator

Bakersfield, California

Participants

marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Road
Heart
La Jolla Coastal 5k Running Tour - March 30th

Thursday, 30 Mar 2023

La Jolla Coastal 5k Running Tour - March 30th

LocationIndicator

San Diego, California

Participants

5k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Great sceneryFlat road
Heart
Race for Autism: 5k Superhero Run/ Walk

Saturday, 1 Apr 2023

Race for Autism: 5k Superhero Run/ Walk

LocationIndicator

San Diego, California

Participants

5k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Heart
Folsom Lake Falcon Crest Trail Run

Saturday, 1 Apr 2023

Folsom Lake Falcon Crest Trail Run

LocationIndicator

El Dorado Hills, California

Participants

5k, 10k, half marathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Great sceneryTrail
Heart
La Jolla Coastal 5k Running Tour - April 1st

Saturday, 1 Apr 2023

La Jolla Coastal 5k Running Tour - April 1st

LocationIndicator

San Diego, California

Participants

5k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Great sceneryFlat road
Heart
La Jolla Coastal 5k Running Tour - April 6th

Thursday, 6 Apr 2023

La Jolla Coastal 5k Running Tour - April 6th

LocationIndicator

San Diego, California

Participants

5k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Great sceneryFlat road
Heart
Déjà Vu Trail Run

Saturday, 8 Apr 2023

Déjà Vu Trail Run

LocationIndicator

Las Vegas, Nevada

Participants

marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Heart
La Jolla Coastal 5k Running Tour - April 8th

Saturday, 8 Apr 2023

La Jolla Coastal 5k Running Tour - April 8th

LocationIndicator

San Diego, California

Participants

5k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Great sceneryFlat road
Heart
Santa Teresa King Richard Annual Trail Run

Saturday, 8 Apr 2023

Santa Teresa King Richard Annual Trail Run

LocationIndicator

San Jose, California

Participants

5k, 10k, 10 miles, half marathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Great sceneryTrail
Heart
La Jolla Coastal 5k Running Tour - April 13th

Thursday, 13 Apr 2023

La Jolla Coastal 5k Running Tour - April 13th

LocationIndicator

San Diego, California

Participants

5k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Great sceneryFlat road
Heart
Havasu Half Marathon & 5k

Friday, 14 Apr 2023

Havasu Half Marathon & 5k

LocationIndicator

Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Participants

5k, half marathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Flat road
Heart
Showing 1 - 24 of 72 events

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.

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