
From the Organizer
Death by 5k is returning to Memphis for year 6!
RunStrong Event's signature 24 hour challenge, Death by 5k requires participants to run ten 5ks starting every 2.5 hours. The first 5k starts at 8 am, and subsequent 5ks start at 1030, 1, 330, 6, 830, 11, 130, 4, and 630 am. Participants need to be present at the start of each 5k, and have that 5k finished prior to the start of the subsequent 5k. This challenge is designed to test participants mentally and physically with physical fatigue, sleep deprivation, and running in the dark. (Headlamps, hand lights, or some other form of illumination will be required)
Death by 5k Memphis will start and finish at the Tour de Wolf Pavilion at Shelby Farms, and will be run almost entirely on the Tour de Wolf trail. The course will be mostly a loop with a small stretch midway that may be out and back. Trail conditions on race weekend will determine how much is two-way traffic instead of a loop.
In between each 5k, participants will be able to sleep in their cars or vehicles in the parking area, or to put up tents in the grass area adjacent to the pavilion. There is plenty of space for pop up or camping tents.
There will be 5 meals, each including hot food, served over the course of the event. Meal times will be 830a, 130p, 630p, 1130p, and 420a. There will also be plenty of snack food and drinks available throughout the event.
Participants will receive an event shirt and other race swag. Finishers will receive one of our coveted coffin awards and the pride that comes with surviving.
Registration will be limited initially to 200 participants. After that, a waitlist will be enabled and we will open spots if/when they become available or if we decide to expand the field
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
71°
Typical Low
47°
Chance of Rain
34%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Memphis Wfo, 2 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
629,063
as of 2023
City Elevation
248 ft
Nearest Airport
MEM
Memphis International Airport · 8 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A big city race. Expect multiple lodging options and plenty to do the day before.
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Death by 5k Memphis, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
297
Days to train
Coming Up
Kids Test 01
4 miles away
Women Run Walk Memphis Program & 5K
2 miles away
DU's Outdoor Discovery Day
3 miles away
duckDNA Application Portal
3 miles away
From Endurance Grid
This race spans more than one sport — here’s a guide to each, so you can understand what’s involved and decide if it’s the right fit. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
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.
Anything beyond the marathon — 50K, 50-mile, 100K, 100-mile, and timed events. Aid stations, cutoffs, and finishing as the goal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Death by 5k Memphis
Apr 10, 2027