5Ks are a beloved tradition for many reasons. They're more accessible than longer races so anyone can enjoy the run, they're often organized as fun events with themes, and some even act as fundraisers for charitable causes. 

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5Ks in Fort Wayne

If you've been dying to lace up those running shoes and hit the streets of Fort Wayne, look no further. We've curated a complete list of 5Ks right here!

Formula for Life 5K Run/Walk and Silent Auction

  • April 12
  • 2701 Spring St. Fort Wayne
  • Registration fee is $15.
  • This is not only a 5K but also a silent auction! Presented by Formula for Life, a philanthropic student organization at the University of Saint Francis. Get your run, or walk, on for a good cause!
  • More information here

.5K Silly Walk

  • April 20
  • Promenade Park
  • Registration information at the link below.
  • This .5K is a short, silly fun run for everyone! Wear your silliest costume and practice your silliest walk for this fun trip around Promenade Park. Stop at the various aid stations featuring samples of beer and wine, flavored popcorn, pizza, hot chocolate, and cookies for everyone. T-shirt included with pre-registration. Awards for Silliest Walk and Silliest Costume.
  • More information here

New Haven Chamber 5K Fun Run

  • April 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • Downtown New Haven 428 Broadway St.
  • Registration fee is $30.
  • The race starts in Downtown New Haven and if you arrive 30 min early there will be a kids fun run before the official race starts.
  • More information here

Shepherd's Hand Community 5K

  • May 4
  • 1231 S Anthony Blvd. Fort Wayne
  • Registration fee is $25 for 9 yrs and older and FREE for 8 yrs and younger.
  • This is a family-friendly fundraising event that is split into two time slots, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Get your tickets for your desired time slot before they run out!
  • More information here

Run Wild at the Zoo

  • May 17
  • Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
  • Registration fee is $45.
  • Join Fort4Fitness and the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo for the first-ever twilight 5K run, INSIDE THE ZOO! The route will have multiple terrains: concrete, wooden bridges, grass and gravel. Be prepared for it all as you travel through Africa, Australia, through Stingray Bay and past the Peacock Cafe. Participants will receive a commemorative race shirt, timing bib, and a finisher medal. Race routes for Wave 1 and Wave 2 are the same; the only difference is the start time. The Zoo paths are narrow in some areas, so there will be a participant cap.
  • ​More information here

Race for the Warrior 5K Run/Walk

  • May 18 at 1:00 p.m.
  • Fort Wayne International Airport
  • Registration fee is $40.
  • R4TW supports the Northeast Indiana Base Community Council and their Military Support Fund. The race will take flight on the stroller friendly runways at the Fort Wayne International Airport and will occur rain or shine. Make sure to register before May 2 to guarantee a race t-shirt/swag and stay after for the Hubie Ashcraft concert from 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m!
  • More information here

Girls on the Run Spring Bubble 5K

  • May 19 at 3:30 p.m.
  • Shoaff Park (Conklin Pavilion area)
  • Registration fee varies from $25 to $40.
  • This Spring 5K is going to be a blast! Plan to arrive early for GOTR village party experience. This event is open to the public, and will benefit the Girls on the Run Scholarship Fund. This closing event gives program participants of all abilities a tangible sense of accomplishment. Crossing the finish line instills confidence through completion and is a joyful moment program participants always remember! Everyone in the program receives a commemorative medal to celebrate this incredible achievement.
  • More information here

FWRC J.P. Jones Just Plain 10K Run/Walk, 3.3K Run/Walk

  • June 8 at 8:00 a.m.
  • Shoaff Park
  • Registration fee is $10.
  • A family friendly Fort Wayne Running Club Points Race and Breakfast Picnic is returning for you!  Everyone is welcome. Come join the race for a morning run/walk commemorating FWRC member J.P. Jones at Shoaff Park. Run/walk in memory of J.P. and other fabulous runners/walkers who were in your life. 
  • More information here

Fathers Day 5K

  • June 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • 602 East Wayne St. Fort Wayne
  • Registration fee varies from $20 to $35.
  • Celebrate Father's Day weekend by running with or in honor of your father, grandfather, or father figure. Bring the entire family for an entertaining morning, including a free kid's fun run before the race. The Father's Day 5K will be a WALK, RUN, or RUCK. The course will circle Lakeside Park's beautiful rose garden and shaded park. Proceeds will benefit Associated Churches' programs,  A Baby's Closet and Military Families.
  • ​More information here

Run, White, and Blue 5K

  • July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • Shoaff Park
  • Registration fee is $32 for adults and $15 for kids ages 14 and younger.
  • Get ready to lace up your sneakers for a chance to rally together, have a blast, and make a difference for NAMI Fort Wayne. With a start time of 9:00 a.m. and the chance to snag a six-month YMCA family membership, there's something for everyone—and with an entry of just $32, it's a steal! Kids 14 and under join the fun for only $15, so bring the whole family! Don't forget to don your patriotic best and enter by June 14 for a guaranteed performance t-shirt. Your support brightens lives affected by mental illness, bringing hope and joy back into their world. Let's run not just for the thrill, but for the hope it brings to the lives we touch!
  • ​More information here

Runners on Parade 5K

  • July 13
  • 333 S Clinton St. Fort Wayne (the heart of downtown)
  • Registration fee is $28.
  • This race is the RRCA Central Region 5K Championship Race, representing the states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Be a part of Fort Wayne's favorite 5K, enjoy Fort Wayne's premier festival (the Three River's Festival) and the parade just following the race. You can look forward to the fans and crowds that line the streets to cheer on the runners and walkers. There will be custom race shirts, unique awards, and post-race snacks for you to enjoy under the tent at Headwaters Park.
  • More information here

Pufferbelly Run, Walk, and Stroll

  • July 20 at 8 a.m.
  • Parkview YMCA
  • Registration fee varies.
  • The annual Pufferbelly Run/Walk/Stroll will be raced on the Pufferbelly Trail. The proceeds from this event will be used to further our work developing trails, including new sections of the Pufferbelly Trail. The 10k Run begins at 8:00 AM, 1 Mile Kids’ Fun Run starts at 8:10 AM, the 5k Run/Walk starts at 8:30 AM. Awards for the top female and male runners in each age group and the overall female and male runners will be given out at the completion of the 10K and 5K Run/Walk.
  • ​More information here

Rotary 5K Run/Walk to Eradicate Polio

  • August 17
  • Shoaff Park
  • Registration fee is $32 for Fort Wayne Running Club Members and $35 for non-members.
  • Help Fort Wayne Area Rotary Clubs, as they join Rotary International to eradicate polio. There will be door prizes and awards and you can walk or run the race. It's up to you!
  • More information here

Run for Riley 5K Fitness Walk

  • October 6
  • 426 Union Chapel Rd. Fort Wayne
  • Registration fee is $25.
  • Join the Fort Wayne Running Club as they continue the tradition of supporting Riley Children's Hospital with one of the largest running events in Fort Wayne. Participants may choose between the 5 mile race or an untimed 5k fitness walk to show their support.
  • More information here

Fort Wayne Hot Cider Hustle

  • October 13
  • Memorial Coliseum
  • Registration fee varies.
  • This 5K is complete with commemorative event gear, hot apple cider and delicious caramel apples at the finish line, a flat and fast course, as well as a half marathon distance added!
  • ​More information here

Werewolf Chase Fun Run

  • October 19 at 11 a.m.
  • Fort Wayne Outfitters
  • Registration is FREE.
  • Join Fort Wayne Outfitters for an adrenaline-pumping Werewolf Chase Fun Run where you'll run from mythical creatures!
  • ​More information here

River City Rat Race

  • October 20
  • Historic Old Fort Rivergreenway
  • Registration fee is $35.
  • Described by Runner’s World writer Hal Higdon as “One of the most scenic 10K’s I’ve ever run”, the River City Rat Race is a 10K Race and 5K Race through the autumn parks and riverfront of downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana. The race is fun and family-friendly, and benefits the local YMCA.
  • More information here

Battle Rattle 5K & 10K Run/Walk

  • November 2
  • 7914 W. Cook Rd. Fort Wayne
  • Registration fee is $30.
  • Join Lutheran Military Veterans and Families Ministries (LMVFM) for a scenic run/walk through the country roads of Lake Township, while they facilitate community involvement in the support and assistance of our Veterans, Military Contractors and their families. 
  • More information here

Winter Wonder Dash Walk/Run

  • November 15 and 16
  • Franke Park
  • Registration fee is $30.
  • Grab your winter coat, hat, mittens and warm socks and get ready to experience one of Fort Wayne's favorite holiday traditions! Every year, Blue Jacket, Inc. sets up beautiful holiday light displays throughout Franke Park for folks to drive through and enjoy. Fort4Fitness participants have special access to walk or run through the lights before the Blue Jacket drive-through event opens to the public! Gather a group of loved ones and create unforgettable, fun holiday memories as you take in the 140+ brilliant light displays.
  • ​More information here

Fantasy of Lights

  • November 18
  • Franke Park
  • Registration information at the link below.
  • Can you imagine a more magical place to run a 5K than along a path surrounded by 1,500,000 Christmas lights? Don't miss this festive run!
  • ​More information here

Galloping Gobbler

  • November 28
  • Hutzell Ahtletic Center at the University of Saint Francis
  • Registration information at the link below.
  • The Galloping Gobbler has become Fort Wayne’s new family tradition for Thanksgiving. Folks visiting from across the country have made room for the turkey and trimmings by running the four mile Galloping Gobbler course. The four miler will start at the Hutzell Athletic Center on the campus of the University of Saint Francis and then take you through Fort Wayne’s historic Lindenwood Cemetery before finishing back at campus.
  • ​More information here

Frosty Frolic

  • December 8 at 2 p.m.
  • Shoaff Park 
  • Registration fee is $38.
  • Join Epic Racing Events for the Frosty Frolic 5K in Shoaff Park. Grab a friend and enjoy this festive race that will be sure to get you in the Christmas mood. This is the last race in the Epic Running Series for 2024
  • ​More information here

Gingerbread Pursuit 4 Miler

  • December 8
  • Promenade Park Pavilion
  • Registration information at the link below.
  • Start a new Holiday Season tradition with the Gingerbread Pursuit 4 Mile Run.
  • ​More information here

Ugly Sweater Run

  • December 15
  • 121 W Wayne St. Fort Wayne
  • Registration fee is three non-perishable food items.
  • Gather up your family and friends for what has become a Fort Wayne Holiday tradition. A three-mile fun run downtown while viewing all of the Holiday Festival Lights. After the run join us at JK O'Donnell's Irish Pub,121 W Wayne St, Fort Wayne, for our Ugly Sweater Contest (where the ugliest sweater wins a prize), drinks, and fun. The first 350 participants that redeem an in-store coupon will receive a FREE commemorative glass.
  • ​More information here

Fanny Freezer

  • February 15, 2025
  • 6401 St. Joe Rd. Fort Wayne
  • Registration fee is $15.
  • The Fanny Freezer is one of the earliest 5ks of the running season in Fort Wayne, so make sure you are ready for the cold February Indiana weather! Go to the Riverlodge Pavilion for packet pick up and available heated restrooms. Dress warm, the race name says it all!
  • ​More information here

Kilt Run/Walk

  • March 15, 2025
  • 900 W Main St. Fort Wayne
  • Registration fee is $35.
  • Don't miss this 5K Run/Walk presented by FWFD Local Union 124 and make sure to register before February 20 to get a race t-shirt!
  • ​More information here