Races Near Me: Upcoming Running Races

The Dawson Community Food Bank & Thrift is organizing our innaugural “Outrun Hunger” 5K charity run and walk! This exciting community event will take place on Saturday, October 24th 2026 at Yahoola Creek Park in Dahlonega. We'll have a great course, Custom Finisher Medals, Great Race shirts, and a load of good fun. Food insecurity is real in North Georgia! Working family expenses have swelled by all measures so many local residents are struggling just to get by. All of the proceeds will go directly to supporting 3,000 local households of 8,800 individuals. This includes 1,900 seniors and 2,400 children. The Dawson Community Food Bank & Thrift is a trusted 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity located at 92 Chestatee Industrial Park Drive. They are the largest food bank agency in the Georgia Mountain Food Bank network, supporting Dawson, Lumpkin and surrounding counties. However, they need help to keep pantry shelves fully stocked. We're combining this event with a food drive/raffle. Every food item gets you a ticket and a chance to win something cool (prize list to come).

5K – Saturday, November 14, 2026 9:15 a.m. This is a timed event with several age/gender categories, and awards will be made for 1st to 3rd places, in each category. Surrounding festivities include the annual Veterans Day Parade, kids play area, and an all day music festival with food and beverage, including wine and beer. Parking is abundant in Dahlonega, and all safety precautions will be taken. Please visit (link) for further information and to register, or just buy a shirt and support our Ranger Vets. 10K – Saturday, November 14, 2026 9:00 a.m. This is a timed event with several age/gender categories, and awards will be made for 1st to 3rd places, in each category. Surrounding festivities include the annual Veterans Day Parade, kids play area, and an all day music festival with food and beverage, including wine and beer. Parking is abundant in Dahlonega, and all safety precautions will be taken. Please visit (link) for further information and to register, or just buy a shirt and support our Ranger Vets. Half Marathon (Mountain Marathon) Sunday, November 15, 2026 11:30 am to 3:00 pm. This event uses all the same forestry roads the US Rangers train on. Tough YES, but not too tough for runners capable of covering the 13.1 miles. This course starts and finishes on the airfield at Camp Merrill. Almost all of the half marathon course is off-pavement on service roads that curl through the Appalachian Mountains, only feet from the Appalachian Trail. Challenge yourself with two grueling hills where America’s best soldiers are trained. Parking is abundant. Food and Beverage will be available at the on-post service Club, The Overhang, after the event. This includes beer and wine and a full menu. You can count on some active duty Rangers to be running the course. This is Veterans Day weekend and on Saturday, there will be festivities in Historic Downtown Dahlonega, including the annual Veterans Day parade and an all day music festival in the Park. Come and spend the weekend! Please visit (link) for further information and to register, or just buy a shirt and support our Ranger Vets. Mountain Challenge - 5K OR 10K Plus Half Marathon Sign up for two races - the 5K OR the 10K on Saturday, November 14th at Hancock Park AND the half marathon on Sunday, November 15th at Camp Merrill at 11:30am for an extra challenge. Half Marathon Ranger Challenge Relay- 2 Person Teams (ONLY for ARMY RANGERS) Active duty or retired Army Rangers compete as teams against other two person teams as a Half Marathon relay with the exchange point at approximately half way in the half. *Pre-registration strongly requested for planning purposes. Walk-up registrants will not be guaranteed a T-shirt for the event. 10K Ranger Challenge (ONLY for ARMY RANGERS) This division is only for Army Ranger competition one on one against other Rangers. Half Marathon Ranger Challenge (ONLY FOR ARMY RANGERS) This division is only for Army Ranger competition one on one against other Rangers. Event Details: SATURDAY, November 14 - Race Day Registration 5K and 10K - from 07:30-08:45am at Hancock Park Race Start Times - 10K @ 9:00am and 5K @ 9:15am SUNDAY, November 15th - Race Day Registration Half Marathon - from 10:30am to 11:15am at Camp Merrill Race Start Time @ 11:30am - 3:00pm Awards 5K awards - Overall Male/Female, Masters Male/Female and Age Groups 1st, 2nd and 3rd place starting at 10 and Under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and Up 10K and Half Marathon awards - Overall Male/Female, Masters Male/Female and Age Groups 1st, 2nd and 3rd place starting at 14 and Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and Up Top overall male/female per category are recognized with a Custom Crafted Ranger Plaque * Additional purchase for long sleeve t-shirts and hoodies!

Lace Up Your Running Shoes and Help Shelter Animals! Sign up for the 2026 Run for the Rescues 5K, a fun event for the entire family to support Lumpkin County Animal Services in Dahlonega. Whether you're a seasoned runner or prefer a leisurely walk, this event welcomes participants of all fitness levels — and their four-legged companions! This year is extra special! Groundbreaking has officially begun on the brand-new Lumpkin County Animal Shelter, a facility that will let us help even more of our community's needy animals. Every registration fee and donation directly supports this mission — from day-to-day life-saving care to the future of our shelter. Your involvement helps provide: Life-saving medical treatmentsSpay/neuter services to prevent pet overpopulationDaily care, food, shelter, and love for animals awaiting their forever homesCommunity outreach and education programsMedical equipment for the new surgical suite at our shelter under construction What You'll Enjoy: A fun run/walk in scenic DahlonegaThe chance to win a dog/cat lovers gift basket in our raffleThe opportunity to earn a medal for your age group (by decade) and overall man/womanThe chance to meet your new bestie at our on-site adoption event!*Register before 11/1 and receive a FREE 2026 Run for the Rescues T-shirt!!! Well-behaved, leashed dogs are encouraged! Where: Cottrell Elementary School, 220 Pinetree Way, DahlonegaWhen: Saturday, November 14, 9 am (Registration begins at 8:00 am) Sign up today and be part of something bigger than a race. Be part of a rescue mission that saves lives, one step at a time. *T-shirts are included for registrants of the in-person race only (not the virtual race). Proudly organized by Friends of Lumpkin County Shelter Animals

The Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5k and Fun Run will take place once again in Dahlonega. Join us for a morning run (or walk) through beautiful Camp Glisson and work up your appetite for the big meal of the day! Proceeds of this race will benefit Lumpkin Family Connection. Drive Thru early packet pick-up: Tuesday, November 24th, 11am – 5pm at Lumpkin County High School | 2001 Indian Drive | Dahlonega, GA 30533 If you would like to donate a meal directly to Lumpkin Family Connection, please do so at this link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/2026-thankful-hearts-take-n-bake *T-shirts can only be guaranteed for participants who register prior to November 19th.* Shirts will be short sleeve tri-blend shirts. Race Day Registration and Packet Pick-Up will open at the Lumpkin County High School at 7:30am. RACE DAY REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE AT 8:15AM. Awards will be given to overall male and female finishers and 1st, 2nd and 3rd for age group winners (9 & under,10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+), and all Fun Run finishers.

Team Give Back and Sheriff Stacy Jarrard will be teaming up again to bring you another Reindeer Dash 5K and Fun Run. Packet Pick-Up and Race Day Registration (Registration is $40 on Race Day) will be available at Hancock Park starting at 7:00am.

Join us at 12 PM on New Year's Eve in Yahoola Creek Park for the Noon Year's Eve 5k race! This is a flat, fast course with a 2-lap circuit located near downtown Dahlonega, Georgia. Runners, walkers, strollers, wheelchairs and pets are welcome! Sleep in, then join us for a fun “Noon” Year’s Eve countdown and finish out 2026 with a 5K, then enjoy a sparkling apple cider toast! Families, get your NYE celebration in early with our FREE Fun Run. Register before December 10th to guarantee a long-sleeve, super-soft tri-blend shirt. For all later registrants, shirts are first-come, first-served. Proceeds from this event benefit ConnectAbility, a non-profit organization in Dahlonega, Georgia. ConnectAbility serves communities where people of all abilities are valued, included and empowered. To contact us about sponsorship or to learn more, visit: https://connectabilityinc.org/ Awards will go to the overall first female and male finishers and the top three finishers in the following age groups: 0-1314-1920-2930-3940-4950-5960-6970 and over

Bring your friends and family and come join us for a FAST, EASY, and FUN one mile walk/run hosted by the Dahlonega Sunrise Rotary Club. The 6th Annual Wimpy Mile starts at 10:00 A.M. on Feb 13th, 2027. An iconic event, the Wimpy Mile boasts a 178' DROP in elevation from start to finish. Starting from Hancock Park in downtown Dahlonega, the certified mile course moves downhill along Wimpy Mill Rd to finish at the Yahoola Creek kayak launch area. The race provides a great opportunity for serious runners to achieve a PR...and a fun, scenic course for joggers, walkers, families, and your four-legged friends as well. Come in costume if you'd like, to celebrate the February holidays! Join us back at Hancock Park after the race for the awards presentation and other festivities. Transportation will be available for participants who choose not to walk the return mile. Register by February 6, 2027 to guarantee a T-shirt in your size. Shirts will be available to later registrants after the race while supplies last.

Join us in a 5K road race through the rolling hills of North Georgia and historical downtown Dahlonega, GA featuring RFID chip timing. The race will start and finish at the drill field of The University of North Georgia. 80% of proceeds benefit South Enotah Child Advocacy Center & 20% benefit PCAA (Prevent Child Abuse of America). Time: 7:30 AM  -  Race day registration and packet pick-up OPEN at Rec Center 8:30 AM  -  5K Race Start (start line is in front of Memorial Hall) Awards: Top overall male and female, top male and female masters (40 and over), top 3 Male/Female in the following age groups: 14 & under, 15 - 19, 20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59, 60 & over. Team Registration:  Team registration is available! Teams of 10 or more receive a discount rate of $15* each. To start a team, click Team SignUp on the left of the page. *Registrants 1 through 9 will pay the registration price at time of registering. When the 10th person and all registrants after join your team t

Welcome to the 4th annual Hero Hill Climb! - Saturday, May 23rd, 2026 Memorial WeekendThis is a great event to honor our fallen veterans and bring awareness to the good men & women serving in our military of all branches. Walk, run or mountain bike...all ages...THE MISSION:  Starting next to Camp Merrill Army Ranger Base, you will be given a half-sheet card with the name and bio of a fallen service member (Hero). Your mission is to carry your Hero up the gravel road to the top of the hill to honor their sacrifice. When you get to the top, there will be a large Hero board, an American flag, and a cast iron Freedom bell. You will pin your Hero Card onto the Hero Board, ring the bell in their honor, and we give you a 12-inch flag to return back down the gravel road with. The scenery is gorgeous, the camaraderie is inspirational, and you get to walk side by side with some amazing people, including the 5th Ranger Training Battalion! Each participant will also receive a special event Cha