
From the Organizer
The annual KU Vets Day 5K, hosted by the KU Student Veterans of America and the Veterans Alumni Network, honors our past/present veterans and raises awareness of the roles veterans play in our university and community. The 5K usually begins and ends at Memorial Stadium, traveling through the KU campus past KU’s war memorials. This start and end of the race will be at the Jayhawk Welcome Center. It is hosted by KU Alumni, Veterans Alumni Network and the Lt. Gen. William K. Jones Military-Affiliated Student Center.
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
54°
Typical Low
34°
Chance of Rain
19%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Lawrence.
Host City
Population
95,459
as of 2023
City Elevation
938 ft
Nearest Airport
MCI
Kansas City International Airport · 37 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at 2026 KU Vets Day 5K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
151
Days to train
Coming Up
Fiesta 5k run/walk
2 miles away
Freedom 5K Fleet Feet Lawrence
4 miles away
The Snake 10-Mile Trail Race
5 miles away
Rexy Run/Walk
2 miles away
From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
2026 KU Vets Day 5K
Nov 15, 2026