7 Best Virtual 5Ks That Ship a Finisher Medal (2026)

If you want to run a real 5K, earn a real medal, and support a real cause — without traveling to a specific city on a specific date — a virtual 5K is exactly what you're looking for.

This guide breaks down 7 of the best virtual 5Ks that ship a real finisher medal, all available on Virtual Run Events. Each one ties a portion of your registration fee to a featured charity, so every step you take does some good.

What to Look for in a Virtual 5K

Before we dive into the list, here's what separates a good virtual 5K from a forgettable one:

• A real, themed medal — not a generic disc, but a designed, collectible medal you'd actually want to wear or display
• Worldwide shipping so you can register from anywhere
• A featured charity so your registration makes a difference
• A flexible completion window of at least 30 days, ideally 60-90
• Optional results submission so you can race yourself, not the clock
• A clear "how it works" page so you know what to expect

All 7 of the virtual 5Ks below meet those criteria.

1. World Cancer Day 5K — Support Cancer Research

Best for: Runners who want to honor a loved one, support cancer research, and earn a meaningful medal.

Distance: 5K (3.1 miles) Charity: Cancer research organization Medal: A gold star or ribbon design tied to the year's World Cancer Day theme

The World Cancer Day 5K is one of our most popular annual races. It runs every February, timed to World Cancer Day on February 4, and ties a portion of every registration to cancer research. The medal is different every year, designed to be a keepsake.

You don't have to run on a specific day — most runners complete the race sometime in January or February. The medal ships before the race, so it arrives as a motivating reminder.

2. Be Kind to Your Mind 5K — Mental Health Awareness

Best for: Runners who want to support mental health, talk openly about anxiety or depression, and run for someone who needs encouragement.

Distance: 5K (3.1 miles) Charity: Mental Health America Medal: A calming, supportive design (varies by year)

The Be Kind to Your Mind 5K is one of our flagship mental health awareness races. It runs in the spring, tied to Mental Health Awareness Month in May, and ties a portion of every registration to Mental Health America.

The medal is designed to feel supportive, not competitive. Many runners complete this race with a friend, a family member, or a mental health professional they want to honor.

3. Breast Cancer Awareness 5K

Best for: Survivors, supporters, and runners who want to fund breast cancer research and treatment.

Distance: 5K (3.1 miles) Charity: Breast cancer research organization Medal: Pink-themed, ribbon-centered design

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this race is one of our most popular annual events. A portion of every registration supports breast cancer research, treatment, and patient support. The medal is pink, ribbon-themed, and collectible.

This race is popular with survivor groups, corporate wellness programs, and school sports teams who want to run together in October.

4. Holiday-Themed 5K (Choose Your Favorite)

Best for: Runners who want a festive medal to add to their collection, especially around the holidays.

Distance: 5K (3.1 miles) Charity: Varies by race Medal: Holiday-themed (Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year, etc.)

We run multiple holiday-themed 5Ks throughout the year — Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and more. Each has a unique medal designed for the holiday, and a featured charity tied to the theme.

These are the races where most of our medal collectors start. They're a great way to mark a holiday, get a themed keepsake, and run with a purpose.

5. Animal Welfare 5K — Support a Rescue

Best for: Animal lovers, dog runners, and anyone who wants to support rescue organizations.

Distance: 5K (3.1 miles) Charity: Animal rescue and welfare organization Medal: Often features a paw print, dog, cat, or other animal design

We run multiple animal-welfare-themed 5Ks throughout the year, each tied to a different rescue or shelter organization. A portion of every registration goes directly to the featured charity, and the medals are some of the most popular in our collection.

If you run with a dog, this is a great race to do together.

6. Food Insecurity 5K — Help Fight Hunger

Best for: Runners who want to support food banks, hunger relief, and food security programs.

Distance: 5K (3.1 miles) Charity: Food bank or hunger-relief organization Medal: Often food-themed or community-themed

Hunger is one of the most universal issues, and our food-insecurity 5Ks let runners support their local and global food banks. A portion of every registration goes to the featured charity, and the medals are designed to honor the cause.

7. New Year Challenge 5K — Start the Year Strong

Best for: Runners who want to start the year with a goal, a new medal, and a charitable action.

Distance: 5K or longer (varies by year) Charity: Varies by race Medal: Often features a "new year" theme, an animal of the Chinese zodiac, or a celebratory design

The New Year Challenge is one of our most popular January races. It kicks off the year with a 5K (or longer) challenge, a unique medal, and a featured charity. Many runners do this race as their "first race of the year" tradition.

How to Pick the Right Virtual 5K for You

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• What cause do I care about? Pick a race that ties to a charity or cause you actually care about. It'll make the run more meaningful.
• Do I love the medal? If you're a medal collector (or want to become one), the medal design matters. Pick one you'd be proud to display.
• Does the timing work? Some races are tied to awareness months (October, May, February) — others are open year-round. Pick one that fits your schedule.
• Am I a beginner? If this is your first 5K, pick a 5K (not a 10K), and don't worry about your time. Walk if you need to.
• Do I want to run with friends? Most virtual 5Ks can be done as a group. Invite your friends, family, or coworkers.

What's Included With Registration

Every virtual 5K on Virtual Run Events includes:

• A real, themed finisher medal shipped to you
• A race bib to fill in with your name and time
• A portion of your registration donated to a featured charity
• An optional results submission to a public leaderboard
• Worldwide shipping (rates vary)

Some races also include a t-shirt, a digital certificate, or a second medal. Check the specific race page for the exact list of what's included.

How to Get Started

Pick one of the 7 virtual 5Ks above, register, and your medal will be on its way. The 5K itself is 3.1 miles — pick a day, run or walk the distance, and submit your time if you want to.

You've got this.

See all of our races HERE