12 events in Oakland County, Michigan
From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find 5k events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
Oakland County
12 events in Oakland County-
Sat, May 09, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
☀️ CROOKED LAKE TRAIL RUN 🌲
2.3 Mile • 5K • 10K 🏃♀️🏃♂️
🌲🏃♂️ Experience one of Southeast Michigan’s most scenic trail races!
The Crooked Lake Trail Run winds through the beautiful trails of Independence Oaks County Park, featuring well-maintained paths, rolling terrain, and stunning hardwood forests.
Whether you're a seasoned trail runner or tackling your first race, there’s a distance for everyone.
🔥 Kick off your race season the right way on the trails!
🗓️ Race Date:
Saturday, May 9, 2026
📍 Race Location:
Independence Oaks County Park (9501 Sashabaw Road Village of Clarkston, MI 48348)
Registration Includes:
⏱️ Chip Timed Race with Live Results
👕 Custom Dri-Fit Race Shirt
🏅 Custom Finisher Medal
🏆 Overall & Age Group Awards
📸 FREE Race Photos
🍎 Post-Race Refreshments
📏 Race Distances:
🏃♀️2.3 Mile Run/Walk — “Lakeshore Loop”
Flat & fast — great for beginners or runners chasing a PR
Scenic lakefront views around Crooked Lake 🌊🍃
🏃♀️5K Run/Walk — “Springlake Loop”
Challenging rolling hills
Forested stretches through the hardwoods + lake views 🌲🌳🌊
🏃♂️💨 10K Run — “Springlake Loop x2”
Two laps of the 5K course
Perfect for runners seeking a longer, more demanding trail challenge
📅Packet Pick-Up Date & Time:
Race Day — Saturday, May 9th 2026
🕒 7:30 AM – 8:50 AM
Independence Oaks County Park (Twin Chimneys)
9501 Sashabaw Road
Village of Clarkston, MI 48348
⏱️Race Start Times:
2.3 Mile — 9:05 AM
5K — 9:00 AM
10K — 9:00 AM
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Sun, May 10, 2026 at 9:00 PMSee full details
Miles, Moonshine, and Music — Under the Stars
If you’re looking for a night running experience unlike anything else in Southeast Michigan, mark your calendar for May 9, 2026 and join us for the 14th annual Moonlight Bootlegger 5K at beautiful Maybury State Park in Northville, MI. Since 2012, thousands of runners have stepped into the shadows to take on this after-dark trail adventure—blending the thrill of trail running with the energy of live music and the camaraderie of a shared post-race celebration.
Inspired by the Prohibition-era bootleggers, you’ll race through the woods like you’re making a midnight run to escape the law—guided only by your headlamp, the moon, and the warm glow of 300+ tea lights marking the course. The route offers a mix of wide trails and flowing singletrack, making it perfect for experienced trail runners chasing a PR or road runners trying trails for the first time.
What to Expect:
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Date & Location: Saturday, May 9, 2026 – Maybury State Park, Northville, MI
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Start Time: 9:00 pm race start for a true night running experience
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Course: Wide trails + singletrack, well-marked and tea light-lit
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Headlamp Required: No light, no run!
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Post-Race Celebration: Live bluegrass music at the finish line
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Race Swag: Custom mason jar + two moonshine cocktails or mocktails, soft gender-specific tech shirt
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Community Vibe: Perfect for run clubs, groups, and friends who want an unforgettable night outdoors
Why Run Moonlight Bootlegger 5K?
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Unique nighttime trail running experience in Southeast Michigan
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Perfect for first-time trail runners or chasing a trail PR
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Celebrate with live bluegrass music under the stars
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Enjoy post-race cocktails or mocktails in a keepsake mason jar
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Run club friendly—gather your crew and make it a night out
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Scenic mix of wide paths and flowing singletrack lit by hundreds of tea lights
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A race that blends community, adventure, and celebration
So grab your headlamp, rally your crew, and get ready to run through the night like an outlaw. At Moonlight Bootlegger 5K, the trails are calling, the music is playing, and the moonshine is waiting for you at the finish line.
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Sun, May 17, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
Whether you run or walk, join us for the Annual Dragon Dash! This 5K certified course beginning and ending at the Wildwood Amphitheater and following the Polly Ann Trail north will kick off your training season. All runners will receive an award crossing the finish line. All levels of runners and walkers are invited, from beginner to competitive. Race starts at 9 am. Proceeds will go toward Orion Area Youth Assistance and their programming for youth. Race day registration and runner check in will be at the Wildwood Amphitheater, 2700 Joslyn Ct., Lake Orion 48360. Out and back course will start/end at the Wildwood Amphitheater and proceed north down the Pollyann Trail to the Lake Orion Community Schools Administration building and back.
In person registration fee increases on race day to $25
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Sat, May 30, 2026 at 9:00 AM
A fun, family friendly run/walk through South Lyon in support of three great ministries: Active Faith (food bank and clothing closet), Capernaum Health Care and Renewed Hope Counseling Center.
Awards: Overall Male and Overall Female
Age Group Awards Top 3 Male and Female 0-9, 10-19, 20-35, 36-50, 50+
Medals and Race Shirt for Everyone
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Sat, Jul 18, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
The LOC Credit Union 5k Color Run will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026 during the Farmington Founders Festival. This 5k chip-timed fun run will give participants the opportunity to run through scenic Shiawassee Park and beautiful Downtown Farmington.
This race has something for everyone. If you are a competitive runner this will be an accurate 5k. There will be age group medals for awards along with medals for the Overall Male and Female winner. Positioned within the race route will be four color stations. If you wish to forego the color there will be enough room to breeze straight past them. The entry fee includes a t-shirt if signed up by July 5th, 2026. For those signing up after that date we cannot guarantee runner shirts, at that point they will be on a first come basis until they run out.
If you want to challenge yourself to run or walk a 5k but also have some fun (and COLOR!) along the way then this race is for you! Participants will receive a finisher's medal and there will be refreshments waiting for you at the end.
Pricing: $30 until 5/3, $35 from 5/4 to 7/17, $40 on race day 7/18 (online registration only - t-shirt and finisher medals not guaranteed to race day sign ups and will be on a first come basis until they run out). Children 5 and under can participate with an adult at no charge.
Award categories: Overall Male and Female winners. Age groups male and female: 12 and under, 13-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70and over.
Packet pick up is race day only at Shiawassee Park starting at 7:30 am with the run beginning at 9:00 am.
The race will be chip timed by the Michigan Running Foundation. Results will be posted during the race and on the web at Runmichigan.com
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Sun, Jul 19, 2026 at 9:30 AMSee full details
Join the Ode Family! Be part of the coolest vibe in running. Wear your Ode medal proudly.
Pick either the hardest 5k in Michigan (maybe the country?) or pick the one that may be the most fun. Your choice, or select both and receive a $10 discount on one race (you'll receive one set of swag). Both races are part of July's Ode to Laz weekend festival and take advantage of some of the best hiking trails in Michigan at Holly Recreation Area, a jewel of the state park system. Enjoy plenty of family-friendly activities too, like kayaking, fishing, camping, or swimming and splashing on the Whoa Zone at Lake Heron's beach.
The Stairway to Heaven 5k: This is the easy one. 9:30 am start. Register between 8-8:45 please at the Overlook Picnic area. Cheer our backyard runners as they pass you on their 25th hour You'll run on the Wilderness trail on a rolling out and back course and finish with one loop down and up the famous Stairway to Heaven. COURSE MAP
The Stairway to Hell 5k: This is the beast - 11:30 am start. Register 8-10:45 am please at the Overlook Picnic area. Our backyard ultra runners run this stairway every hour during their day loops. They'll be in their 27th hour of running by the time they pass by you before your start. Feel free to call them sissies, cause you'll be doing the Ode to Laz Loop's famous Stairway to Heaven 12 times in a row for your 5k, without the hour rest in between!!! You'll do a total of about 1100 feet of vertical. Get your stair legs ready!!! A course map? HA! We're not silly enough to do this 12 times just to make a map. Feel free to look at the Stairway to Heaven 5k map, it has the stairs at the end.
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Sat, Aug 01, 2026 at 12:00 AMSee full details
Lace up and join us for the Guest House Run Over Addiction 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run—a community event celebrating hope, recovery, and the life-saving mission of Guest House.
The 1-Mile Fun Run, great for kids and families, begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K race at 9:00 a.m. on the scenic campus of Guest House, home to the historic William E. Scripps Mansion in Lake Orion, Michigan.
Proceeds from this event directly support Guest House’s mission to provide the information, education, treatment and care needed to assure that Catholic clergy, men and women religious, and seminarians suffering from alcoholism, addictions, and other behavioral health conditions have the best opportunity for quality recovery and overall health and wellness.
For the first time, we are proud to offer a virtual 5K option, allowing supporters near and far to participate. All runners—both in person and virtual—will receive a commemorative event shirt and participation medal. Prizes will be awarded to the top in-person male/female age category finishers.
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Sun, Aug 16, 2026 at 10:00 AMSee full details
Join us for our third annual Tails & Trails 5K! The race is open to participants of all ages and will kick off with a Cat Walk 1K at 10am (dogs and cats are welcome in both races). The 5K race begins at 10:30am and will take runners along Independence Oaks’ beautiful trails. A family fun zone and other activities for participants to enjoy will be on site for the duration of the race along with local animal businesses such as markets, groomers and more!
Our event is working to raise funds through donations for an amazing animal rescue this year: Great Lakes Dog Rescue.
Donations can also be made to Great Lakes Dog Rescue whose mission is to rescue well-tempered, adoptable dogs from animal control facilities and from owner-surrenders and provide them shelter and medical care until they are adopted. They are committed to educating and assisting the community in responsible pet ownership.
The race is open to both walkers and runners or all ages. Dogs or cats are welcome to race with their owner as long as they have a current license and are kept on a 6 foot leash. Please keep control of your pet at all times.
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Sun, Aug 30, 2026 at 7:45 AMSee full details
🏃♂️Race for the Crown 👑⚔️
🗓️ Sunday, August 30, 2026
📍 Michigan Renaissance Festival
(12600 Dixie Hwy, Holly, MI.)
Hear ye, hear ye! Kick off your Michigan Renaissance Festival weekend with a race fit for royalty! Race for the Crown invites runners and walkers of all levels to take on a 5K or 1-Mile Medieval Mile through the iconic grounds of the RenFest.
This one-of-a-kind race starts and finishes in Holly Grove Village, immersing you in the sights, sounds, and energy of the Renaissance Festival—before the gates even open to the public! Whether you’re chasing a fast time or enjoying a festive run, this race delivers pure RenFest magic from start to finish.
REGISTRATION INCLUDES:
🕒 Chip-timed Race with Live Results
👕 Custom Dri-Fit Event shirt
🎟️ Michigan Renaissance Festival ticket ($28 value)
🅿️ FREE parking ($15 value)
🏅 Custom Finisher Medal
🏆 Overall & Age Group Awards
📸 FREE professional Race photos
🍎🥨 Post-race Refreshments - to refuel like a champion!
📦 PACKET PICK-UP:
📅Saturday, August 29th, 2026
📍 Complete Runner – Grand Blanc
11303 S Saginaw St, Grand Blanc, MI 48439
⏰ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📅Sunday, August 30th, 2026 (Race Day!)
📍 Michigan Renaissance Festival – Front Gate
12600 Dixie Hwy, Holly, MI
⏰ 6:00 AM – 7:45 AM
🏁 RACE START TIMES:
🏃♂️ 5K Race: 7:45 AM
🏃♂️ Medieval Mile: 7:50 AM
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Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Join the Fun & Fundraise!
Gather your friends, family, and/or coworkers for a fantastic event. Not only will you enjoy a beautiful walk/run/roll, but you’ll also make a meaningful impact by raising funds to support mental health treatment and recovery at Rose Hill Center.
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Thu, Nov 26, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
🦃 Gobbler Gallop 5K Run/Walk & 10K Run 🏃
Thanksgiving Morning @ Holly Recreation State Park
Michigan State Parks Pass REQUIRED for entry
Start your Thanksgiving Day with a new family tradition at the Gobbler Gallop 5K Run/Walk and 10K Run! Lace up your running shoes, grab your family and friends, and join us for a fun, festive morning of fitness before the feast.
Set in the scenic and serene Holly Recreation State Park, the Gobbler Gallop features a closed course on 100% paved roads, making it safe, smooth, and perfect for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. Whether you're chasing a PR or just looking to burn off some pre-dinner calories, this is the perfect way to kick off your holiday.
🦃 Event Highlights:
👟 5K Run/Walk & 10K Run options – Choose your challenge and hit the pavement!
🌳 Beautiful paved course through Holly Rec's rolling terrain – Scenic views, smooth roads
🚫🚗 No vehicle traffic – Entire course is closed for a safe, stress-free run
👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly atmosphere – Bring the whole flock!
📷 FREE Race Photos – to capture festive moments and memories
🎽🥤 Commemorative Swag & Post-Race Refreshments – Dri-fit shirts, medals, and tasty treats!
🦃 Registration Includes:
🎟️ Entry into 10K
⏱️ Professionally Managed/Chip-Timed Race with Live Results 📈 (2.5K & 5K Split Times + Rankings!)
🥇 Custom Finisher Medal
👕 Dri-Fit Participant T-Shirt
🏆 Overall & Age Group Awards
📸 FREE Race Photos
🏷️ Commemorative Race Bib
🍌💧Post Race Refreshments
Packet Pick-Up Info:
📍 Location: Holly Recreation State Park (Race Site)
🗓️ Date: Thursday, November 26th – RACE DAY! (THANKSGIVING)
⏰ Time: 7:15 AM – 8:50 AM
🏁RACE START TIME --- 9AM
🔥🦃 TURKEY TROT TRADITION STARTS HERE 🏃💨
🎽 Pick up your race bib, event shirt, and finisher swag before the starting gun!
✅ Race day packet pick-up only – Arrive early to avoid the rush and get race-ready!
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Sun, Dec 13, 2026 at 4:00 PMSee full details
🏃♀️🦌 Run Run Rudolph 5K Run/Walk 🎄🎅
📅Sunday, December 13th, 2026
📍 Michigan Renaissance Festival (12600 Dixie Hwy, Holly, MI)
🏁 Race Start: 4:00 PM
Get ready to light up your holidays with the 3rd Annual Run Run Rudolph 5K Run/Walk!
❄️Experience the Michigan Renaissance Festival grounds like never before — sparkling with Christmas lights, festive music, and holiday cheer! ✨ Start and Finish inside the Holly Grove Village with the ambiance of a Christmas lit path.❄️
Registration Includes:
🕒 Chip-Timed Race with live results
👕 Custom Long Sleeve Event Shirt
🎟️ HollyDazzle Ticket ($22 value)
🍺 1 Free Beverage Ticket on Race Day ($9 value)
🏅 Custom Finisher Medal
🏆Overall and Age Group Awards
📸 Free Race Photos
🍪☕Post Race Refreshments (Hot Chocolate, Cookies & More!)
🎭 Costume Contest Entry (Show off that holiday spirit!)
Packet Pick-Up Details
📅 Saturday, December 12th, 2026
📍 Michigan Renaissance Festival – Main Office
12600 Dixie Hwy, Holly, MI
⏰ 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📅 Saturday, December 13th, 2026 (Race Day!)
📍 Michigan Renaissance Festival – Ticket Office (on festival grounds)
12600 Dixie Hwy, Holly, MI
⏰ 1:45 PM – 3:45 PM
🏁 RACE START: 4:00 PM SHARP!
🎅 Dress to Impress!
Wear your most festive outfit and join in the holiday spirit — prizes awarded for the best costume! 🏆