Day of The Dead 5K & 10k logo
Running

Day of The Dead 5K & 10k

Date
October 25, 2026
Distance
Day Of The Dead 5k · Calaveritas Run · Day Of The Dead 10k
Register →

From the Organizer

Event Location

  • Date & Time: Sunday, October 25, 2026
    Location: Wild Runners Fair Oaks, 10149 Fair Oaks Blvd, Fair Oaks, CA

Participant Packet Pick Up

  • Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10 am – 4 pm
  • Race Day, Sunday, October 25, 2026, 6:30am - 7:30 am
  • Location: Wild Runners Fair Oaks, 10149 Fair Oaks Blvd,  Fair Oaks Ca 95628

Race Day Schedule

  • 6:30 am - 7:30 am: Race day registration and packet pick up
  • 7:30 am: All final items dropped off for the La Ofrenda
  • 8:05 am - Kids Races begin
  • 8:20 am - Day of the Dead progression to starting line
  • 8:30 am - Day of the Dead 5k/10k race begins
  • 9:30 am - Awards ceremony and costume contest

Swag & Event

All participants receive:

  • Bib number, timing device and safety pins
  • Short-sleeved event shirt
  • Finisher medal
  • Coupon for one-free tamale for each participant*
  • Special offers from our sponsors

* Redeemable only at the post-event expo and festival on October 25, 2026. 

  • Family-Friendly Walk/Run Events: The Day of the Dead 5k has something for every generation to enjoy from a 5k for adults to our Kid Races. 
    Live Entertainment: Immerse yourself in Mexican tradition with live music and performances. With stilt walkers and live music, transport yourself to another time as we pay homage to the cultural heritage of our grandparents.
  • La Ofrenda: To honor loved ones who have passed, bring offerings, such as photographs, flowers, nostalgic items, and foods as we create a collective space of remembrance and gratitude.  All items should be placed on La Ofrenda by 7:30am in front of the Wild Runners store at 10149 Fair Oaks Blvd.
  • Antojitos Delights: Enjoy the flavors and culinary delights that our grandparents cherished. In addition to free home-made tamales for race participants, indulge in the food and delectable treats of Mexican heritage.
  • Post-Race Festival and Expo: Unwind and connect with fellow participants post race! Explore our Community Partner and vendor booths showcasing the latest in fitness, wellness, and recovery services.  

5k Course

The race kicks off with a 0.5-mile downhill through the charming Old Fair Oaks Village neighborhood and over the bridge. Following a 3.2-mile out-and-back path along the picturesque American River Trail towards Bannister Park, the course remains entirely on paved roads and trails, catering to participants of all abilities and those with strollers.  The race concludes with an approximate half-mile ascent back to the finish line.

Day of the Dead 5k race course - Wild Runners Fair Oaks

Awards & Age Divisions

Awards ceremony to follow event at 9:30 a.m. for the 5k and costume contest. Prizes for overall male and female winners will be presented. Top three finishers in each age division will receive a special prize. Age-group winners pick up prizes at the Awards table.

Top boy and girl finishers in the 1/4 and 1/2 mile races will receive a special prize. All other kid finishers will receive medals.

Top 3 finishers in the male and female races will respectively receive: 

  • 1st Place: $100 gift card to Wild Runners
  • 2nd Place: $50 gift card to Wild Runners
  • 3rd Place: $25 gift card to Wild Runners

1st place finishers in each Age Group (5k Run) will receive a free pair of socks from our sponsor from OS1st:
12 & Under, 13-15, 16-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

Costume Contest:

  • 1st Place: $100 gift card to Wild Runners
  • 2nd Place: $50 gift card to Wild Runners
  • 3rd Place: $25 gift card to Wild Runners

Rules & Guidelines for all entrants*

  • Bib numbers must not be altered, should be worn on the front of the runner, and be visible.
  • No unregistered runners, walkers or pacers.
  • Wearing headphones is discouraged.
  • No bicycles.
  • Your pup is welcome to participate in the 5k race (always on leash and after signing a waiver).
  • Strollers are welcome.
  • Walkers/runners of all abilities and capabilities welcome. 
  • Shirts are not guaranteed for the late registration ( you can ask for previos year shirt)

* No refunds 

Events

Day Of The Dead 5k8:30 AMRegister →
Calaveritas Run8:05 AMRegister →
Day Of The Dead 10k8:05 AMRegister →

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

75°

Typical Low

51°

Chance of Rain

13%

Based on US Climate Normals data from Sacramento 5 Ese, 11 mi from the venue.

Sunrise 7:25 AMSunset 6:15 PMDaylight 10h 49m

Host City

About Fair Oaks, CA

Elevation

200 ft

Nearest Airport

SMF

Sacramento International Airport · 18 mi

Time Zone

Pacific Time

From Endurance Grid

Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.

Race Location

Your Next Start Line

What Are You
Waiting For?

Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Day of The Dead 5K & 10k, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.

139

Days to train

Race
Day of The Dead 5K & 10k
Date
October 25, 2026

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.

The 10K is the distance where running stops feeling like a starting point and starts feeling like a sport. Long enough to require a real training block. Short enough that race day is fully manageable for a first-timer who's put in the work.

Race day energy at a 10K is community at its best — strangers cheering you by name, people moving toward the same goal, an atmosphere that solo training can't replicate. It's fast enough that you'll spend the whole race pushing rather than managing your effort.

This is also the distance that builds the base for everything else. Most athletes who go on to run half marathons, do triathlons, or compete in HYROX started here. What you need: running shoes fitted to your stride, a training plan, and the race on your calendar. The registration is what makes the deadline real.

How long to train: 4–8 weeks for most fitness levels.

Read the Guide

Running

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)

What is the Day of The Dead 5K & 10k?
Day of The Dead 5K & 10k is a running race held in Fair Oaks, California on October 25, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
When and where is the Day of The Dead 5K & 10k?
Sunday, October 25, 2026 in Fair Oaks, California at 10149 Fair Oaks Blvd, Fair Oaks, CA. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
How do I register for the Day of The Dead 5K & 10k?
Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.

Day of The Dead 5K & 10k

Oct 25, 2026

Register →