7 running and fun run events in Tahlequah, Oklahoma

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 5k!

This social run also encourages running with dogs, since dogs play an important role in the Red Fern Festival. For the more serious runners, this will be a chip timed race by I:40 Race Service.

Finishers medals will go to all 5k participants and trophies will be awarded to the top 3 male and female finishers.

Event Details:

Location: NSU Letters sign at campus entrance (Corner of Goingsnake, Muskogee, and Smith)

Events: 5k and Fun Run

Registration Open: 5:30 PM

Start Times: Both the 5k and Fun Run will start at 6:30 PM

Early Bird Registration Fees (Before April 7th): Fun Run for $25, 5k for $30

Full Price Registration Fees (After April 7th to Race Day): Fun Run for $30, 5k for $35

T-shirt: Must register by April 7th to get a guaranteed shirt. All registrations after, shirts that are first come first serve.

Course information coming soon, map will be posted then.

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 DISCLOSURE the $5 will go to Kaizen to help cover some of the costs of running this event. ANY FUNDS OR DONATIONS beyond the $5 sign up fee will go to the Humane Society of Cherokee County.

Donations of dog food, cat food, and pet supplies are greatly appreciated. We also accept cash or cashapp. Come move for a cause, bring your dog, and help us support local animals in need!

THE COURSE:

Dogspeed starts and finishes at the NSU Fitness Center in Tahlequah, OK. The course is a 1 mile loop starting on The Fit's front lawn. At the start finish you will find food, snacks, burgers, hotdogs, chips, candy, cookies as well as...shade and ICE BATHS to escape from the summer heat. THIS IS A HOT RACE.

This event is UNTIMED meaning you will be responsible for writing down your number of loops achieved. 1 loop is approx 1.05 miles. How many can you get in 12 hours? This event is come and go meaning you could do 10 loops before noon, go home and take a 5 hour nap, then return to do more loops from 5-7pm when the event ends. We want you to challenge yourself, sure, but the goal is to raise money and awareness for the Humane Society.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY

The HSCC will be on site to show off a few of their amazing animals who are up for adoption! Last year we successfully got some dogs to a loving forever home!