Fall is here and it’s a perfect time to lace up the shoes and hit the pavement for a fun race. I’ve compiled a list of family friendly races in Columbus, so grab the family and get out for a fun walk or run. Some of these events also have a much shorter kids race option as well- perfect for the younger kids who may also want to run! See the website for each event for additional details, registration and more. Please let me know of any I need to add to this list by emailing me at [email protected]
Big Bad Wolfe Run
Date: Sunday, September 24
Location: Alum Creek Trail, park at Wolfe Park
Distance: Kids Run, 5K, 10 Miles, 20 Miles
Start Time: Kids Run: 7:45am, 10M/20M: 8am, 5K: 8:10am
Kids in Capes 5K and Fun Run
Date: Saturday, September 30
Location: 4250 Woodbridge Rd, Upper Arlington
Distance: 1 Mile Fun Run and 5K
Start Time: 5K: 8am, 1 Mile Fun Run: 8:15am
Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run
Date: Saturday, October 28
Location: Genoa Park, behind COSI
Distance: 5K
Start Time: 10am
Girls on the Run 5K
Date: Saturday, November 18
Location: Columbus Commons
Distance: Kiddie Fun Run and 5K
Start Time: Kiddie Fun Run: 9:30am, 5K: 10am
The Zoo ‘Run Run’ 5K & Kids ‘Ele-FUN-Run’
Date: Saturday, October 28
Location: Columbus Zoo
Distance: Kids Fun Run and 5K
Start Time: Kids Fun Run: 8:30am, 5K: 9am
The Monster Dash 5K
Date: Saturday October 28
Location: Glacier Ridge Metro Park
Distance: Little Gremlins Fun Run and 5K
Start Time: Little Gremlins Run: 8:50am, 5K: 9am
Columbus Clippers 5K
Date: Saturday September 23
Location: Huntington Park
Distance: 5K
Start Time: 10am
St. Alban’s Bexley Turkey Trot
Date: Thursday, November 23
Location: St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Bexley
Distance: Tot Run, 2K and 5K
Start Time: Tot Trot: 8:30am, 2K and 5K: 9am
Flying Feather Four Miler
Date: Thursday, October 23
Location: The Club at Corazon, Dublin
Distance: Kid’s Gobbler Chase and 4 Miles
Start Time: 9am (8:30am for the Kid’s Gobbler Chase)
Pumpkin Dash 5K
Date: Thursday, October 23
Location: Historic Uptown District, Marysville
Distance: 5K
Start Time: 9:05am(9am for the Little Pumpkin Dashers)
Chase Columbus Turkey Trot
Date: Thursday, November 23
Location: Shops on Lane Ave, Upper Arlington
Distance: 2.5 miles, 5 miles or Dick’s “Tot Trot”
Start Time: Tot Trot: 8:30am, 2.5 and 5 Miler: 9am
2023 Powell Turkey Trot
Date: Thursday, November 23
Location: Powell
Distance: 4 miles, and “Wobble Til you Gobble Kids Race”
Start Time: Kids Race: 8am, Turkey Trot 4 Miler: 8:30am
Columbus Hungry Turkey Trot
Date: Saturday, November 25
Location: Genoa Park, behind COSI
Distance: Kids Fun Run, 5K, and 10K
Start Time: Kids Fun Run: 9am, 5K and 10K: 9:15am
Jingle Bell Run
Date: Saturday, December 2
Location: Genoa Park (behind COSI)
Distance: 5K
Start Time: More information coming soon
NC4K Reindeer Run 2023
Date: Saturday, December 9
More details coming soon
Hot Chocolate ** no strollers allowed, but it’s a fun race to consider!
Date: Sunday, November 19
Location: McFerson Commons
Start Time: 7:30am
Distance: 5K, 10K, 15K
**There are no baby carriers or strollers of any sort allowed on the race course**. Older kids who will walk or run the race may enjoy this one.
Free Community Runs
Date: Every Tuesday through the end of October (or longer, TBD)
Location: Nike Easton
Start Time: 6pm
Distance: Walking Route: 1.8 miles, Running Route: 2.5 Miles
This is a weekly free event for all ages and abilities. Strollers welcome.
