Races

April 24-25 Tahlequah Main Street will host the 18th annual Red Fern Festival.  This festival celebrates the “Where the Red Fern Grows” Novel which is set in the Ozark hills in and around Tahlequah Oklahoma.  The festival spans seven blocks and hosts over 150 arts and crafts vendors and gourmet food trucks, along with inflatables, petting zoos, and live music. This year the Red Fern Festival 5k will happen on a new course that will start and finish at NSU Letters sign at the corner of Goingsnake, Muskogee, and Smith. More details on the new course route.   This will be a rain or shine event, but if the weather is too much to go on, we do not have a reschedule option and it will become a virtual run. The start for both the 5k and the fun run will be 6:30 Friday evening, April 24th.   Runners will be finishing just a few blocks from food trucks and live music at the heart of the Red Fern Festival at Norris Park.  So sign up and soon run, eat, and be entertained at the Red Fern Festival 5

Saturday May 16 2026 In-Person 5k starts at 8:30 A.M. In-Person 1k Fun Run starts at 8:00 A.M. Race day registration and packet pick-up: 7 A.M. to 8:20 A.M. Timing by: TATUR Racing Medals to top 3 male/female standardize group in 5k Shirts will be handed out after race completion while supplies last (Note: 5k virtual option will have shirt pick up at later date) Coupon code for WINGS members only: BEFAST26 Race Director Contact Information  Submit results for virtual May 16 - May 23

DOGSPEED 2: This Time With More Bark! Join us for **DOGSPEED**, a 12-hour, come-and-go community run (or walk!) hosted by **Kaizen Running Club of Tahlequah**. On **June 20, 2026, from 7 AM to 7 PM**, we’ll be circling a scenic 1-mile loop that starts and finishes on the front lawn of the **Northeastern State University Fitness Center**—all with one goal: **to fill a truck with pet food and supplies** for the **Humane Society of Cherokee County**. Whether you're running miles or just strolling with your pup, every lap counts. Not a runner? No problem. We’ll have games, prizes, snacks for you and your pet, drinks, and plenty of shade and treats for your four-legged friends. AND, a 16ft inflatable bouncy water slide! Plus, you’ll get a chance to meet some adoptable pets from the Humane Society. THIS EVENT WILL COST YOU $5 AND A SACK OF DOG FOOD! That's right, there's a $5 fee associated with the race this year ON TOP of the donation of dog/cat food or supplies. FULL DISCLOSUR

Cherokee National Holiday Veterans Run Saturday – September 5, 2026 Race will begin at the Cherokee Nation War Memorial 17675 S. Muskogee Ave. Tahlequah, OK Fun Run at 7:00 a.m.  5K Starts at 7:30 a.m.   Race day registration and packet pick-up will open at 6:00 A.M. and close at 7:25 A.M. Medals to top 3 male/female standard age group in 5K Shirts will be handed out after race completion while supplies last Contact information: Sarah Bluebird at (918)772-8027 or sarah-bluebird@cherokee.org USATF Sanctioned Event and Certified Course Course Map. https://www.certifiedroadraces.com/certificate/?type=m&id=2702 5K Virtual Option (Shirt pick up to be scheduled at later date) Timing by: Tatur Racing

DESCRIPTION KROP: Kaizen Rite of Passage – Year 2: DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK!  Guess who’s back!? KROP returns to Tahlequah, Oklahoma at the rugged and scenic Welling Ridge Trails for its second year! Runners can choose from 4, 8, 16 (25k), 32 (50k) miles, or the brand-new 40 mile (65k) distance. All races follow the same 4-mile loop, bringing you back through the start/finish area every lap—where the energy, food, and support never stop. Why it's called a rite of passage: so you've done a 5k? Wanna go further but a 10k is too much? We've got a 4 miler for you. So you've done a 10k but a half marathon is too much? Ok, we've got an 8 miler for you. Need something to bridge the gap from half marathon but not quite marathon distance? We got you, try out our 25k. Have you already conquered the marathon and want to take your first step into the ultra world? We've got a 50k. And for those of you who have done a 50k and want to start working your way towards a 50 mi