A virtual 5K is the easiest way to start running, the easiest way to support a cause you care about, and the easiest way to add a real finisher medal to your collection. You run or walk 3.1 miles on your own schedule, anywhere you choose, and a real medal shows up at your door.
This page lists our current virtual 5K races. Every race ties a portion of your registration fee to a featured charity, so every step you take does a little good.
What Is a Virtual 5K?
A virtual 5K is a 3.1-mile running or walking event you complete on your own — no fixed start time, no fixed location, no pressure. You register online, your finisher medal is mailed to you, and you complete the distance whenever and wherever you want.
Virtual 5Ks are popular because they're flexible, beginner-friendly, and they support real causes.
Why Run a Virtual 5K?
1. Beginner-friendly
A 5K is 3.1 miles. Most people can walk it in under an hour, jog it in 30-40 minutes, or run it in 20-30 minutes. It's the perfect "first race" distance.
2. No travel required
You don't have to drive to a race, find parking, or wait in a starting corral. You step out your front door and go.
3. Run on your schedule
Real 5Ks have a 7am Sunday start time. Virtual 5Ks let you run at 5am on Tuesday if that's what works. You pick the day, the time, and the place.
4. Earn a real finisher medal
The medal you get from a virtual 5K is the same kind of medal you'd get from an in-person race. Many of ours are themed, collectible, and beautifully designed.
5. Support a real charity
Every virtual 5K we run ties a portion of your registration to a specific charity — from cancer research to mental health to food security to animal welfare.
How to Run a Virtual 5K
Step 1: Pick a race
Browse our current virtual 5Ks here. Each one is tied to a specific cause, has its own medal, and has its own registration window.
Step 2: Register online
Registration takes about 60 seconds. Pay the fee, and your medal will be on its way to you within a few days.
Step 3: Pick your day
Choose any day that works for you — most virtual 5Ks give you 30 to 90 days from registration to complete your run.
Step 4: Run or walk 3.1 miles
Run outside, on a treadmill, on a track, on a trail, or anywhere else. Time yourself with a watch or running app.
Step 5: Submit your results (optional)
Most races let you submit your time to a public leaderboard. You can also just keep the medal and skip the results.
Tips for Your First Virtual 5K
Don't try to run the whole thing
The best way to finish a 5K is to walk/run intervals: walk 2 minutes, jog 1 minute, repeat. Most beginner 5K training plans use this approach.
Run with a friend
A virtual 5K doesn't have to be solo. Invite a friend, your partner, your dog, or your kids. The "race" is your own.
Pick a route you love
Choose a route that's interesting, safe, and flat if you're a beginner. A park, a trail, a beach path, or a quiet neighborhood street all work great.
Hydrate and fuel
Drink water before, during (if needed), and after your run. Eat something light 1-2 hours before. Don't run on a full stomach.
Don't worry about your time
Your first 5K isn't about pace. It's about finishing. Once you've done one, you can start thinking about beating your time on the next one.
What to Do With Your Medal
- Hang it on a medal display rack
- Add it to a lanyard or shadow box
- Wear it on a running belt
- Gift it to someone who needs encouragement
- Or just keep it somewhere you'll see it every day
Most of our runners are medal collectors. Some have hundreds. Some have a handful. There's no wrong way to do it.
Ready to Run Your First (or Next) Virtual 5K?
Browse our current virtual 5Ks here, pick one that calls to you, and earn your next medal. Every registration supports a real charity.
