15TH Annual
2027 15th Annual Black Squirrel 5K Walk/Run/Roll & 1-Mile Walk/Run/Roll
2027 15th Annual Black Squirrel 5K Walk/Run/Roll & 1-Mile Walk/Run/Roll is a running race on April 10, 2027 in Kent, OH, with entry fees from $20 to $30.
- Date
- April 10, 2027 (261 days to go)
- Location
- Kent State University, Kent, OH
- Price
- $20–$30
- Sport
- Running
From the Organizer
Please join us for our annual spring race which will take place on Saturday, Apr. 10, 2027. The race, named after Kent State University's unofficial mascot, will be available for anyone to participate. The traditional 5k course is a loop course which begins and ends near the entrance to the Beverly J. Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center on the campus of Kent State University. The course will be marked if you are in Kent and would like to run the actual course. The course takes you through the campus via the Esplanade. A few small hills adds to the experience but be on the lookout for the infamous black squirrels!
On race day, post your photo or video on your social media account and tag us at #KSU2027BlackSquirrel.
Registration Fees
- Up through Sunday, Mar. 21 (T-shirt included)
- $30 (5k)
- $20 (1-mile)
- Monday, Mar. 22 - Saturday, Apr. 10 (no T-shirt)
- $25 (5k)
- $15 (1-mile)
T-Shirts
- All participants registered by Mar. 21 will receive a performance race shirt. Race shirts may be available for purchase on race day based on availability.
- T-shirts and race bibs will be available for pick-up as follows at the Beverly J. Warren Student Recreation & Wellness Center located at 1550 Ted Boyd Drive, Kent, Ohio 44242.
- Friday, Apr. 10 from 4 - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Apr. 11 starting at 7 a.m.
- Friday, Apr. 10 from 4 - 6:30 p.m.
Race Course
Race course map can be found online at https://www.kent.edu/recwell/black-squirrel-5k-race
Prizes:
- Cash prizes for overall male and female winners
- First Place $75
- Second Place $50
- Third Place $25
- First, second and third place male and female winners in the following age groups will receive medals:
- 6 - 9
- 10 - 14
- 15 - 19
- 20 - 24
- 25 - 29
- 30 - 34
- 35 - 39
- 40 - 44
- 45 - 49
- 50 - 54
- 55 - 59
- 60 - 64
- 65 - 69
- 70 - 74
- 75 - 79
- 80+
Cancellation policy
Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable to another person, event or year. The 2027 Black Squirrel 5k Run & 1-mile Walk/Roll/Run will be held rain or shine. Recreation and Wellness Services reserves the right to refuse any entry.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
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
56°
Typical Low
34°
Chance of Rain
43%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Ravenna 2 S, 4 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Kent, OH
Population
27,190
as of 2023
City Elevation
1,185 ft
Nearest Airport
CAK
Akron Canton Regional Airport · 17 mi
Major Hub
CLE
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport · 32 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at 2027 15th Annual Black Squirrel 5K Walk/Run/Roll & 1-Mile Walk/Run/Roll, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
261
Days to train
- Race
- 2027 15th Annual Black Squirrel 5K Walk/Run/Roll & 1-Mile Walk/Run/Roll
- Date
- April 10, 2027
- Location
- Kent State University, Kent, OH
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From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
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.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
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Plan your trip
Make it a Racecation
Coming from out of town? There's more to Kent than race day. We'll help you line up nearby lodging, flights, a rental car, and things to do so you can make the most of your racecation.
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2027 15th Annual Black Squirrel 5K Walk/Run/Roll & 1-Mile Walk/Run/Roll
Apr 10, 2027