If you told young me that one day I would love running 5K races, I would have said you’re out of your mind.
As a kid, there was nothing I hated more than being forced to run in gym class – and I certainly wouldn’t have run any other time. I tried soccer early on, but hated it (see: being forced to run).
Running seemed like torture to me!
It wasn’t until my early 30s when I hooked up with my now hubby that he taught me about the joy and pleasure of running. That’s when I first felt the so-called runner’s high, which is real and a feeling I ADORE.
We ran several 5Ks and even a 10K together in our pre-kid days. My first 5K race ever was in 2007 and my best time for any 5K was about 36 minutes. I love running as a way to feel strong and fit – but I’ll never be fast. Even in my prime, I was always a slow runner and that’s okay.
A few years later, as a mom, I reclaimed the joy of running at sunrise thanks to a neighbor and some new friends. That 2016 running group is how I met my best friend – and we’ve run and walked several 5Ks together since!
I’m a huge fan of the Couch to 5K program when training for an event. It gradually takes you from not being able to run at all, to being able to run a 5K, over a couple of months. I don’t recommend attempting to run a 5K without training first – the events are fun and highly motivating, but your body will hurt if you don’t work up to that three-mile distance. (Unless you’re under 20, of course – then a 5K is relatively easy!)
Here are some of our favorite 5Ks that I’ve participated in locally.
2015 – I ran the Lady Tutu 5K at Easton Town Center with some friends in sub-freezing temperatures. Our little Zozo was going to do the kids’ fun run, but the kiddo froze (look at her poor little face!) so we took her home for some hot chocolate instead. The only trouble with an early spring event like this one is the weather can be dicey.
2016 – The Glo Run 5K is tied for my all-time favorite running event and I wish it would return to Columbus. It was an evening run in the summer and Bestie and I had trained so we ran the whole thing, only walking a tiny bit. The course had fun “glow stations” throughout, plus an amazing glowing rave/dance party at the end. It was a blast!
2018 – We hit the Lady Tutu 5K at Easton again – hate the name, love the race. It’s always a good time and everyone wears tutus – guys included. We had fun making our tutus and sporting them for the race. The weather was COLD again that year, but I ran it with one of my sunrise crew friends and we had fun. Running keeps you warm regardless of how cold it is outside!
2019 – We ran the Lady Tutu 5K again but this time with both of my sunrise buddies and Zoe as our running coach. This is tied for my favorite 5K ever! Z motivated us throughout the race and persuaded us to run again anytime we walked. The weather was mild and we had so much fun! Plus this time, we made our tutus longer and liked them a lot more than the short kind.
2022 – A few years went by without us doing a 5K, and that is never good. Bestie and I signed up for the Night Nation glow run – similar to the Glo run we had loved years back – and had a super fun time. We especially loved dancing at the killer rave afterward, but we admittedly walked more than we ran in the event itself. She made us epic matching glow t-shirts though, and that was so cool! We swore to train more for our next 5K.
2024 – More time went by and we didn’t train much, so once again we mostly walked The Kids Mental Health Foundation 5K last May. I found even walking that 5K challenging, so I vowed to return to the gym and get back in better shape (which I have!). We had a fun time and it’s a great event, but MAN it was hard on the ol’ bod!
That brings us to this year, and Bestie and I have already agreed we’re doing TWO 5Ks in 2025!
Now that I know how much physical exercise improves mental health, I’m even more excited about running and walking 5Ks. Plus, all the local 5Ks donate money to great causes, so running or walking at these events is also a way to give back and serve the community.
We’ll hit the Kids Mental Health Foundation 5K again in late spring, and the Night Nation glow run in September. I’m turning 55 this year, so I will definitely be training in advance so we can run more than we walk at both events and feel GOOD about our progress!
I love the energy at 5K races – the crowd is always so fun and high-energy, and many people dress up according to the theme. There are always plenty of walkers as well as runners, and absolutely everyone is welcome. I love to see the wide range of ages, from little kids to grandparents.
I generally prefer evening 5Ks in the spring or fall so you’re not dealing with hot sun, but you’re still able to dress light and be comfortable. Believe it or not, a little rain is never a bad thing while running and can feel quite refreshing – although an actual downfall of rain would be miserable.
Have you ever run a 5K? If not, maybe this is the year! Let me know if there are any other events you recommend in the Columbus area. We’re always looking for our next 5K!
