Flatwoods 5K
Flatwoods 5K is a running race on October 31, 2026 in Gainesville, FL, with an entry fee of $20.
- Date
- October 31, 2026 (64 days to go)
- Price
- $20
- Sport
- Running
From the Organizer
About the Flatwoods 5K. The Flatwoods 5K is touted by many local runners as Gainesville’s most beautiful, memorable 5K venue, run just after sunrise on a scenic limerock loop road around UF's Austin Cary Forest (10625 NE Waldo Rd, Gainesville, FL 32609). The sights, sounds, and smells of the Forest, shared with friends and family, are sure to create lasting memories. Race proceeds support forestry education and outreach to help sustain Florida's natural heritage.
The race is chip timed by Start2Finish Race Management. The course is accurately measured (but not USATF certified), with mile markers. There is a water station at the halfway point, and post-race refreshments. Strollers are welcome, but please note the road is unpaved. Note also that parking and the starting line will be approximately 2 miles (5-8 min. drive) from the main gate on Waldo Rd.
Start time is 8:30 AM.
Registration and race t-shirt. Registration is $20. Runners 12 years and under race for free. You can purchase a race t-shirt for an additional $15. T-shirt orders will stop two weeks before race day - October 18.
Early registration ends Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 11:59 pm. You can register on site, but given that there will be many people checking in, it's best to do it early.
Early Packet pickup will be THURSDAY October 30 from 4:30 to 7:00 at First Magitude Brewing Company. (1220 SE Veitch St, Gainesville, FL 32601). Participants can also pick up their packet 7:00 am to 8:15 am at the Austin Cary Forest on race day.
Pine cone trophies made from native longleaf, loblolly and slash pine cones go to top open and masters runners, and top 3 in all five-year age/gender groups. All runners 14 years or younger will receive an award.
Please contact Taylor Stein, Flatwoods 5K Race Director, with any questions: tstein@ufl.edu.
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
78°
Typical Low
55°
Chance of Rain
19%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Gainesville Rgnl Ap, 5 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Gainesville, FL
Population
143,611
as of 2023
City Elevation
135 ft
Nearest Airport
GNV
Gainesville Regional Airport · 5 mi
Major Hub
JAX
Jacksonville International Airport · 69 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 Flatwoods 5K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
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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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Flatwoods 5K
Oct 31, 2026