Kentucky is located in the beautiful and colorful southeastern center of the United States. Fate has rewarded this seemingly modest state with many blessings, including the mysterious Appalachian mountains with caves and waterfalls, picturesque prairies, bourbon distilleries, tobacco plantations, racehorse farms, and the country’s gold reserves.
This region is also home to the heroic President Abraham Lincoln, the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, the gifted actor Johnny Depp and other famous personalities. Write your own name into history with the help of Kentucky races; who knows, maybe you will set the next record!
5K Races in KY
1. Finley 5K for SIDS Awareness
Aug 20, 2022 – Saturday
5K run
Georgetown, KY
The 10th annual Finley 5k for SIDS Awareness will be held on August 20, 2022, and all proceeds benefit SIDS research (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Over 1700 runners participated last year. This year, an in-person race and a virtual run option will be available.
The 5k already has sent over $250,000 to researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital and Seattle, who are actively working on finding a cause and cure to SIDS.
2. Historic White Mills 5K
Aug 20, 2022 – Saturday
5K run
White Mills, KY
The Historic White Mills 5K will be held on August 20, 2022, at 8 am.
Each year, the town community of White Mills, in western Hardin County, Kentucky, hosts a festival called White Mills Days. The White Mills 5K Race has always been a big celebration that ends with a chicken dinner in the old hotel.
The run starts and finishes by the White Mills Post Office, where athletes will run across the Nolin River on the old truss bridge built in 1899 and trek alongside the river, crossing over Hwy 84 and continuing along the river for most of the run. It is a flat course, shaded along a beautiful country road. It is one of the cool 5ks to run in KY.
3. River Festivus 5K – Head For The Hills
Aug 20, 2022 – Saturday
5K run
Burkesville, KY
The River Festivus 5K – Head For The Hills will be held on August 20, 2022, and is one of the feature events of the River Festivus.
It is adventurous up, down, and around Alpine Hill with views of the City of Burkesville and the Cumberland River Valley.
Registration will start at 8:00 AM on the square in Burkesville at Cumberland County Welcome Center. The registration fee for the Festivus 5K is $30. Each runner that registers before August 1st will get a race T-shirt.
10k Races in Kentucky
4. 10,000 Meter on VanMeter
Sep 24, 2022 – Saturday
10K, 5K run
Winchester, KY
The 10,000 Meter on VanMeter will be held on September 24, 2022.
You will run the rolling hills of Clark County for a noble reason and win money. The race helps to raise money for Achieving Recovery Together.
The run will be chip timed with cash prizes for the top finishers, and there will be a fun run for children.
5. Lincoln Days Railsplitter Run
Oct 2, 2022 – Sunday
10K, 5K run
Hodgenville, KY
The Lincoln Days Railsplitter 5K/10K Run will be held on October 2nd, during the 51st Annual Lincoln Days Celebration. You will run a challenging and fast course through historic Hodgenville.
All athletes will get a custom Honest Abe finisher’s medal. The Top 2 male and female runners in 10K and 5K will receive awards.
This run is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the birth and birthplace of President Abraham Lincoln! It is a spectacular race in Kentucky.
6. Run For Another 10K
Oct 15, 2022 – Saturday
10K, 5K run
Georgetown, KY
The Run For Another 10K will be held on October 15, 2022. All proceeds will benefit the Orphan Relief Projects directed by Promise Kids A Future, Inc.
The race is located at 130 Technology Court, Georgetown, Kentucky. All participants that were registered will receive race shirts. The Top 3 male and female runners and 1st place in each age group will get awards.
Athletes must wear race bibs until the awards ceremony is closed.
7. The Medical Center 10K Classic
Oct 15, 2022 – Saturday
10K, 5K run | kids run
Bowling Green, KY
The Medical Center 10K Classic is in its 43rd year. The event will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022, on the campus of Western Kentucky University.
The registration fee includes a long-sleeve race T-shirt, medal, entry to the fitness expo and pasta party, snacks, and the opportunity to be included in the cash prize drawings.
Kentucky Half Marathons
8. Lake Cumberland Half
Sep 10, 2022 – Saturday
13.1M, 10K run
Virtual Option
Somerset, KY
The Lake Cumberland Half will be held on September 10, 2022. It is a 13.1-mile point-to-point run with proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County, Kentucky.
The course starts at Bronston, Ky, on the Houseboat Capital of the World Bridge, crossing scenic Lake Cumberland, and then goes through parts of Burnside, Ferguson, and back into Somerset. The course finishes at Somerset Community College.
9. Iron Horse Half Marathon
Sep 18, 2022 – Sunday
13.1M, 12K run
Midway, KY
The 13th annual Iron Horse Half Marathon will be held on September 18, 2022. The course goes through Bluegrass horse farm country, so it has challenging hills, mostly at the turnarounds on the east and west end.
All participants will receive a technical race shirt with custom Iron Horse artwork, a poster by local artist Cricket Press, personalized bibs, custom age group awards, and a BIG finisher medal!
After the race, you can enjoy the Midway Fall Festival. It is one of the best half marathons in Kentucky.
10. Run Richmond Half Marathon
Oct 1, 2022 – Saturday
13.1M, 5K run
Berea, KY
The Run Richmond Half Marathon will be held on October 1, 2022, at 7:30 am. It is a beautiful flat course on the paved trail, starting from the downtown of Berea and highlighting everything scenic about Berea, the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky.
The Half Marathon Run mile pace limit is 16 minutes (3 hours 30-minute total time). Each participant will receive a race T-shirt, and the top 3 male and female runners and 1st in each age group will get awards.
Marathons in Kentucky
11. Cave Run Lake Marathon
Oct 15, 2022 – Saturday
26.2M trail run
Morehead, KY
The Cave Run Lake Marathon will be held on October 15, 2022. It is one of the best Kentucky runs, with lakeside scenic views and hilly forest roads.
At the Twin Knobs Recreation Area, you will find all the necessities.
All participants will get a race shirt or hat. All finishers receive a wooden medal. The top 3 male and top 3 female runners will receive a hand-crafted trophy!
12. Crooked Creek Ultra Trail Race
Dec 3, 2022 – Saturday
100M, 50M, 26.2M, 13.1M trail run
Dec 4, 2022 – Sunday
26.2M, 13.1M trail run
Shepherdsville, KY
The Crooked Creek Ultra Trail Race has beautiful and challenging courses right in the middle of bourbon country.
This challenging 12.7-mile loop with over 2,000 feet of elevation will go through 1,000 acres of hills covered with a forest of oak, hickory, and beech trees, scenic natural views, and wildlife. You will especially enjoy the miles along the picturesque John Barr lake, located right in the center of the start-finish line.
Pitch a tent if you like! There are 5 acres of lawn and heated shower houses for runners to refresh.
13. Land Between the Lakes Trail Runs
Mar 11, 2023 – Saturday
50M, 60K, 26.2M, 23K trail run
Grand Rivers, KY
The 19th annual Land Between the Lakes Trail Runs will be held on March 11, 2023.
You can choose from 4 distances – 50 miles, 60km, Marathon, and 23km. They all begin together along the beautiful shoreline of Kentucky Lake and go about 2 miles to the picturesque Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and the trailhead.
The 11.3-mile Canal Loop is mostly single-track, with hills on the Lake Barkley side of the distance and larger hills on the Kentucky Lake side.
