The Dream MLK 5K Run / Walk logo

The Dream MLK 5K Run / Walk

The Dream MLK 5K Run / Walk is a running race on January 18, 2027 in Virginia Beach, VA.

Date
January 18, 2027 (64 days to go)
Sport
Running

From the Organizer

The Dream

MLK 5K Run / Walk

Spend MLK Day on the move at the first Dream MLK 5K.

Monday
Jan 18, 2027

Mount Trashmore Park, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Race day

Date Monday, January 18, 2027 Race starts 10:00 a.m. Awards & celebration 11:30 a.m., including age group awards Where Mount Trashmore Park, Virginia Beach Distance 5K (3.1 miles), run or walk, all paces Time limit 1 hour 30 minutes, plenty of time to walk the whole course Registration $35 through November 29
$40 starting November 30 Hosted by Harambe Inc.

Packet pickup and more race-day details are coming soon.

Why we gather
on MLK Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. worked for a country where equality, opportunity and justice belonged to everyone. On his holiday, we'd like Virginia Beach to spend the morning together, moving side by side at Mount Trashmore.

Harambe Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, presents the race, and 2027 is its first year.

Every pace
belongs

Some people will chase a personal best or an age group award on the 3.1-mile course. Others will push a stroller, walk with grandparents, or come with their church group and talk the whole way. Kids and strollers are welcome, and walkers are as much a part of the day as the fastest runners.

Run it. Walk it. Celebrate it.

A medal for every finisher

Run the whole way or walk every step. Cross the finish line and you go home with the 2027 Dream medal.

Coming with a group?

Churches, schools, running clubs and families can register as a team. When you sign up, create your group's team or join one that already exists, and your team name will appear next to your results.

Join from
anywhere

Can't make it to Virginia Beach? Sign up for The Dream MLK 5K Virtual and run or walk 3.1 miles wherever you are, on your own route and at your own pace.

Virtual participants get the same race shirt, short or long sleeve, and the same finisher medal. The price is the same too: $35 through November 29, $40 starting November 30.

Virtual registration closes at the end of December 28, 2026.

When to complete your virtual 5K and how you'll get your shirt and medal are coming soon.

Shirt deadline
Dec 28, 2026

Register by December 28 to get a race shirt.

Race shirts are ordered three weeks before race day, so registrations received by December 28, 2026 get one. We can't promise a shirt to anyone who registers after that.

Pick short or long sleeve when you register. Front and back shown.

Don't just remember the dream.

Chase it.

Press Register to save your spot for January 18. Registration is $35 through November 29.

About Virginia Beach, VA

Population

457,066

as of 2023

City Elevation

14 ft

Nearest Airport

ORF

Norfolk International Airport · 10 mi

Time Zone

Eastern Time

From Endurance Grid

A big city race. Expect multiple lodging options and plenty to do the day before.

Race Location

What Are You
Waiting For?

Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at The Dream MLK 5K Run / Walk, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.

64

Days to train

Race
The Dream MLK 5K Run / Walk
Date
January 18, 2027

Get Ready for Race Day

Plan your training, log every workout, and track your progress all the way to race day in the Endurance Grid app.

The training calendar in the Endurance Grid app: the week plan and every day colored by sport
A Race Story in the Endurance Grid app: the finish photo and everyone who finished

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Dream MLK 5K Run / Walk?
The Dream MLK 5K Run / Walk is a running race held in Virginia Beach, Virginia on January 18, 2027. 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 Dream MLK 5K Run / Walk?
Monday, January 18, 2027 in Virginia Beach, Virginia at 310 Edwin Drive. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
How do I register for The Dream MLK 5K Run / Walk?
Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.

The Dream MLK 5K Run / Walk

Jan 18, 2027

Register