Races Near Me: Upcoming Running Races

The Buddy Walk® was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Since then, the Buddy Walk® has become the premier advocacy event for Down syndrome in the United States and the world’s most widely recognized public awareness program for the Down syndrome community. Join the Down Syndrome Network of Onslow and Carteret Counties (DSNOCC) as we celebrate our 15th Anniversary Buddy Walk®! This special milestone event brings together families, friends, educators, businesses, and community members to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome and promote a more inclusive world. Whether you walk, donate, volunteer, or cheer from the sidelines, your participation helps support DSNOCC programs that empower individuals with Down syndrome and their families through: • Advocacy and inclusive education • Family support and connection • Community awareness and outreach • Resources for individuals across the lifespan Our Buddy Walk® is not about speed — it's about belonging, acceptance, and community. Walk at your own pace, celebrate our amazing families, and help us continue building a more inclusive future. 🎉 Celebrate 15 years of inclusion with us! Gather your friends, start a team, fundraise for a cause you believe in, and join us for a day filled with: • Community celebration • Music and entertainment • Vendors and family activities • Team fundraising • A powerful walk for inclusion Schools, businesses, churches, and community organizations are encouraged to create teams and walk with us! If your group would like to participate or start a team, we would love to connect with you. Please reach out to us to learn how you can get involved. Together, we are proving that inclusion isn’t just an idea — it’s a way of life. 💙💛 Down Syndrome Network of Onslow & Carteret Counties

Get ready to lace up those running shoes and unleash your adventurous spirit on the scenic trail course around Hines Farm Park & Stables!  After conquering those miles, a deliciously delightful reward awaits you at the finish line— frozen yogurt from The Fuzzy Peach! Join us not just for a run, but for a delightful experience that makes you feel right at home in our community!  Race Swag: (Note: Race shirts are not included in the registration price) Race Shirts need to be ordered during registration. 1-Mile Kids Walk: This option is open to kids ages 4-11 years old. It includes a shirt (if registered by October 22nd), special finisher medal and froyo at the finish line. An adult must accompany the child. This event will be untimed. 1-Mile Walk: This event will be untimed.  RACE START 5K-8:00AM 1-MILE: 8:05AM   AWARDS (5k only): Awards will be given to the top overall male, female, male masters and female masters and riders. First place gifts will be given in the following age gr

🎄🏃‍♂️ Merry Fitness 5K – Run Through Christmas Town! 🏃‍♀️🎄 Lace up and join us for the Merry Fitness 5K on Sunday, November 22nd 5:00pm at ELJ Farms! This festive race is the perfect way to celebrate the season, support our Marathon Kids runners, and start a new holiday tradition with our community. You’ll dash through a magical Christmas Town course, surrounded by lights, cheer, and plenty of holiday spirit. 💙 Run for a Cause: Proceeds from this race provide scholarship opportunities for Onslow County students to participate in Marathon Kids — giving more children the chance to discover the joy of running, set big goals, and build healthy habits for life. 📦 Packet Pick-Up: Friday, November 20th: 5:30 - 7:30pm at Eggs Up Grill, 2457 Gum Branch Road Race Day (November 22nd): 4:00 - 4:45 PM ONLY at ELJ Farms (We highly recommend picking up your packet Friday to avoid race day delays!) 👕 Add-On Merchandise: Race Shirts: $25 each — must be purchased by November 1st 🏃‍♀️ For Marathon Kids Participants: You do NOT need to register individually — your registration will be handled through your team. ✨ Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a first-time 5K’er, or just in it for the jingle bells and cocoa, this race is all about community, holiday joy, and making memories. Let’s run, cheer, and celebrate together!

Join the Flock for the return of the Onslow Community Outreach-Moore Buick GMC Turkey Trot 5Kish & Giblet 1-Miler! 🦃 The community has spoken, and we’re ready to ruffle some feathers with an even bigger and better event! This year, we’re spreading our wings to expand the field of runners and enhance your race-day experience with more fun, excitement, and tail-feather shaking moments. Whether you’re ready to strut your stuff in the in-person 5K, take a shorter waddle in the Giblet 1-Miler, or fly solo in the Virtual 5K, there’s something for every bird in the flock. If you missed last year’s inaugural event, don’t be left out in the cold this time—join us for the second running! Let's get ready to flock together for fitness, fun, and community spirit. Don’t let this opportunity fly by—register today and let’s make this Turkey Trot the best one yet! When: Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26, 2026)Where: 100 Recreation Lane, Jacksonville, NC 28546Why: To support Onslow

Join us for the celebration of the 2026 JOSC Race Series on December 5th! The event will include an affordable 5k fun run featuring leftover bibs and medals followed by the 2026 JOSC Race Series awards ceremony. This is a great opportunity to swap and trade medals while celebrating all your achievements from this year! Runners will earn bonus points by participating in this event.    Packet Pick up Information Packet pick up will only be available on race morning from 7am-8:30am. Everyone must pick up and check in themselves so we can give out the correct JOSC Race Series points.    FAQs Will we receive a finisher medal? Yes, we have medals in mystery bags so it will be a surprise on which one you will receive. If you already have the medal, feel free to trade with another runner. Will the event be timed? No, the run is only a fun run. The bibs may have chips on them but we will not have a timing company capturing the time. Are discounts available? No, we have priced the run at an affo

13th Annual Beat the Bridge 10k & 5k - presented by Marine Chevy Conquer TWO bridges at the 13th Annual Beat the Bridge 10K/5K event in lovely downtown Jacksonville, NC on January 23, 2027. This event will showcase the charm of the city, the collaboration between the military and local communities, and the resilience and positivity of local athletes. Plus, a portion of the proceeds will support Semper Fi & America's Fund. Join us virtually from anywhere and register for one of our virtual categories.   Packet Pickup Friday, January 22, 2027 Fleet Feet Jacksonville 1154 Western Blvd. Jacksonville 11:00AM-1:00PM   Friday, January 22, 2027Marine Chevy1408 Western Blvd. Jacksonville4:00PM-6:00PM   Everyone that picks up on Friday will be eligible random bib prizes  RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP Sturgeon City 50 Court St. 6:45AM-8:00AM   **A part of the JOSC Race Series** More information on the series can be found at www.racejosc.com.   This event is owned & operated by the Ja

The Cupid Dash is ready to kick off your Valentines Day activities. Whether you’re a seasoned racer or a first-timer eager to join in, this race is for everyone. All ages and fitness levels are welcome—kids, teens, parents, adults, and experienced runners alike. Registration for the 5k and 10k includes t-shirts and Valentines-themed medals that are sure to give you a fun fright. This event will be timed. The Kids’ 1-Mile Run/Walk option is open to kids ages 4-11 years old. It includes a shirt if registered by February 1, 2027, and special finisher medal and a candy bag at the finish line. An adult must accompany the child. This event will be untimed. If you are unable to join us in person, we will have a virtual option for you as well. Red and Pink aren’t required but are highly encouraged, Remember, it’s all about family-friendly fun!

Entering its 13th year, the Run With Your Heart 5K/10K/15K/Virtual is a major fundraiser for Ainsley's Angels in Eastern Carolina and Ainsley's Angels in America. This race brings both the local community and the entire nation together to promote the message of inclusion. Together, we shall accomplish so much more than we ever could alone! COURSE ROUTE Featuring a flat and fast course, it's a small-town race with a marathon style feel. The 5K Run/Walk/Roll is a welcoming course to athletes of all abilities. The route will begin and end at the beautiful Riverwalk Crossing Park located at 421 Court St and takes you through historic downtown Jacksonville, North Carolina!

Frogman Bowhunters Challenge March 21, 2026 Get ready to push your limits at the Frogman Bowhunter Challenge a one-of-a-kind 3D archery event designed to test your skill, focus, and determination. Inspired by the legendary spirit of SOC (SEAL) Christopher Campbell, this event isn’t just about archery it’s about honoring heroes, embracing the outdoors, and challenging yourself like never before. The Frogman Bowhunter Challenge is not your average 3D shoot it’s a full-day archery adventure built to challenge and inspire bowhunters of every skill level. Modeled after events like Total Archery Challenge, this course features rugged terrain, lifelike 3D targets, and shot opportunities that mimic real-world hunting scenarios from odd angles and long distances to tight gaps and tricky setups. But here’s the best part: there’s no pressure and no scorecards. This is a shoot-for-fun event designed to help you test your skills, fine-tune your gear, and enjoy a great day in the outdoors with fello

**We have sold out of our 2026 finisher medals so we opened up some spots with the no medal option. This category is at a discounted rate. If we have leftover medals, we will sell them at the merchandise tent after the event.** Frogman 5K Trail Run   About Frogman:  Frogman was created by The Campbell Family in 2012 to honor the wish of their beloved SOC (SEAL) Christopher Campbell. Chris lost his life during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan when a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, call sign Extortion 17, in which he and 30 others Americans were riding, was shot down on August 6, 2011.  The event honors his final wish to support combat wounded veterans, his love for hunting, especially bow hunting, and the outdoors.  By supporting Frogman, you ensure that Chris’ wish carries on and that he and his teammates are never forgotten!  Proceeds from the event will benefit SE Outdoors and the Jacksonville-Onslow Sports Commission (JOSC).    Event Details The Frogman 5K Trail Run will be hel

Stars & Strides 5K – Celebrate America’s 250th! Lace up your running shoes, pull on those American flag socks, and join the party as we celebrate America’s 250th Birthday in style! The Stars & Strides 5K kicks off Sunday, June 7, 2026, with an early-evening run through the heart of downtown Jacksonville. You’ll start and finish on the beautifully revitalized New Bridge Street, surrounded by the energy of family and friends and American spirit. This isn’t your typical 5K—cross the finish line and trade in that post-race banana for a slice of birthday cake! Stay for the music, cheer on your fellow runners, and soak in the patriotic vibes as we come together to celebrate health, happiness, and America’s milestone birthday. Whether you’re racing for a personal best, walking, jogging with friends, or bringing the whole family for a fun evening out, the Stars & Strides 5K is the perfect way to honor our nation’s big 250.

Join us in supporting Julie’s Pink Warrior Project at the JOSC race series bonus race, the Miles for Mammos 5k on Saturday, October 17, 2026! Julie's Pink Warrior Project provides free screening mammograms to the uninsured and underinsured in our community. Money raised from this race go directly to funding those free mammograms.  This flat, fast race kicks off at 9am after an energizing warmup. This course is perfect for walkers and runners of all ages and abilities and is stroller friendly! Around the halfway point is a water station to hydrate you as you make your way to the finish line. Coming up the final stretch you will be greeted by cheers from spectators and fellow runners. You’ll receive a finishers medal after crossing the finish line and be able to refuel with the delicious post-race snacks! Don’t forget to take a celebratory photo and tag us in it! This year's Miles for Mammos 5k will be held on October 17, 2026, at 9AM, at the Jacksonville Commons. Prices are as f