8 running events in Wake County, North Carolina

The Wendell Falls Community Association is hosting the St. Paddy’s Day Dash 5K on Saturday, March 7, 2026! 🍀

This St. Patrick’s Day–themed race is the perfect excuse to get outside, get moving, and celebrate with friends, family, and neighbors of all ages. Costumes are highly encouraged, so break out your best green, gold, and shamrock flair—extra style points guaranteed. We'll have prizes for fastest times and best costume!

Registration Fees:

• Resident (HOA Member): $30

• Guest (Non HOA Member): $35

Important T-Shirt Deadline:

To receive your Race Day T-shirt, be sure to register by Tuesday, February 17.

The St. Paddy’s Day Dash 5K will take place on a USATF-certified 5K course winding through beautiful Wendell Falls, starting and finishing in front of the Farmhouse. After the race, stick around—the Farmhouse Café will be open with food and drinks available for purchase so you can refuel and keep the celebration going.

So lace up your running shoes, throw on your most festive costume, and join us for a shamrock-filled morning at the St. Paddy’s Day Dash 5K at Wendell Falls.

And yes… keep an eye out for volunteer leprechauns along the course. You’ve been warned. 🍀😉

Join Members and The Hasentree Club for their 6th Annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K on Saturday, March 14, 2026! This year's race is open to both Members of the Club and the surrounding community and beyond. A portion of the racecourse takes place on our beautiful golf course and passes over our beautiful Lake Hasentree - the views are simply spectacular!

All proceeds support the Wounded Warrior Project!

Shirt and number bib pickup will be available starting at 7am on the day of the race.

Participants must be registered by February 21st to be guaranteed a shirt

Please utilize parking at the south/east end of the parking lot.

🏃‍♂️ Dream BIG 5K Dash

March 28, 2026 | Raleigh-Durham, NC

Presented by Dream BIG Community Resource Center

Join us for the Dream BIG 5K Dash, a family-friendly race with a powerful purpose! Every step you take directly supports individuals and families in our community who are experiencing housing instability, crisis, or financial hardship. Together, we’re helping ensure that no one is left without support during life’s toughest moments.

Whether you’re a seasoned runner, casual walker, or bringing the entire family out for a day of fun — YOU are helping make a difference!

Join us in downtown Wendell, NC, for an unforgettable 5K experience that supports a great cause!

Taking place this spring, the race will raise funds for Lake Myra Elementary School, enhancing educational opportunities for local students. The course winds through the charming streets of downtown Wendell, showcasing its vibrant community and historic beauty. Participants of all levels—runners and walkers alike—will enjoy the fresh spring air and scenic surroundings.

The event also kicks off the NC Sports Con events over 3 weekends. Explore the exciting sports exhibits and interactive activities at the event at https://ncsportscon.com

Mark your calendar and lace up your running shoes for a day of fitness, fun, and community support!

PACKET PICKUP

Packet pickup days and times:

Thursday, 4/2 3-6pm at Pace Yourself Run Company in Wendell

Friday, 4/3 4-7pm at Pace Yourself Run Company in Wendell

Saturday, 4/4 6:30-7:30am at the start/ finish area

**The deadline to guarantee a race shirt will be on Wednesday, March 25th

SIGN UP TODAY!!

See the course map here:

https://routes.rungoapp.com/route/mbjjL3ME01

Registration Fee:

$35

Giveaway:

All participants will receive a t-shirt with registration.

Awards:

Top 3 Overall Males and Females

Top Male and Female in following age groups: 15 & under, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & over.

Please join me "Elyse" anywhere anytime on Wednesday April 8th to walk or run 3.5 miles to celebrate turning the big 35! All race entry fees and additional donations will be donated to CHOP - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

I am a charity runner for the Broad Street 10 miler in May and cannot wait to see how we can help children and families in need.

Get out there, get some fresh air, celebrate my birthday and you'll get a really cool keepsake too!

Water For People is a non-profit organization that works in Latin America, East Africa, and India to ensure that every person has access to reliable and safe water and sanitation services. With over 300 participants for our last in-person race, this event provides a great opportunity to connect with athletic and like-minded individuals both in and out of the water and wastewater industry. The American Tobacco Trail is a flat and shaded course, making this a perfect race for beginners and experienced runners alike. Runners, joggers, walkers, rollers, pets, and strollers are all welcome!

Join us in celebrating our sweet angel's 5th birthday! We can't think of any better way to honor JJ than to participate in a 5K in his memory. Doesn't matter if you run or walk, just get outside and move your feet #forJJ! We invite you to stay and hang out after the race to celebrate JJ's birthday - we will have music, snacks, balloons, and entertainment!

All proceeds will go to First Candle, an organization that works to help bereaved families and hoping to bring an end to SIDS.

In November of 2021 we unexpectedly lost our 5 month old son, JJ. He was a perfectly healthy and happy baby, thriving and enjoying life. What started as a typical Friday morning for our family changed completely when we got the call that JJ had gone down for his morning nap at daycare and did not wake up.

We did everything we were supposed to do and unfortunately have no answers to what caused this tragedy. To honor our son and in hopes to help prevent this from happening to other families in the future, we are working to raise money for research for SIDS.

Race Details

Cost:

5 Miler $50 per person

5K $30 per person

Price increase 30 days prior to race day

Ages 5 and under: Free (won't receive a bib for timing)

Kids Fun Run (Color Run)

This year we will be adding a kids fun run as a part of our event. This race will be geared towards elementary school-aged kids, ideally ages 5-12. It will take place on a much shorter course (less than one mile). Kids will be sprinkled with color powder while running to create a fun "color run" experience!!

AWARDS

Awards this year are being presented by Pace Yourself Run Company! A new local running store in Wendell, NC.

Awards will be presented to:

• Top 3 male & female finishers overall

• Top male & female finisher in each age division 1-18,19-24,25-29,30-34,35-39,40-49,50-59,60-69,70+.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR GUARANTEED TSHIRT SIZE IS MAY 9, 2026!!!

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!!!

We will need to have everyone's requested shirt sizes about a month in advance in order to know how many of each size to order and allow time for production.

Sizes Available: See specific race options at registration.

Packet Pick Up

There will be two options for packet pick up prior to race day. The first packet pick up will be held Thursday June 4th from 5-7 p.m. at Pace Yourself run store in downtown Wendell. The second packet pick up will be held Friday June 5th from 5-8 p.m. at the Farmhouse Cafe in Wendell Falls. If you are not able to attend either of the pre-race packet pick up dates we will also be offering packet pick up on race day but you must arrive early!

5 Miler Race will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday June 6th.

5K Race will begin at 8:00 a.m.

Packet pick up will be from 6:00am-7:00am (Really suggest either picking up the night before or one of the other times during the week if you are local)

Kids fun run will begin at 9:00am shortly after the 5K begins. This is to allow for the racers to start earlier before it gets too hot and to allow everything to remain on the same day.

WE ARE CHANGING THE KIDS RUN THIS YEAR GOING FORWARD

Virtual 5K:

We will also be offering a virtual option for people who would like to participate in JJ's Journey but are not local. You will complete your 3.1 miles anytime between June 1st - June 7th and submit your time to the RaceJoy app.

Follow us on social media @jjsjourneyforacause and tag us in your posts using #run4JJ !!!