Sometimes the best motivation for getting back in shape is the addition of an organized race to your calendar. You can’t run away from the inevitable test of your endurance if you’ve already signed up and paid for an upcoming race!
From 2Ks to marathons, and everything in between — these races are worth signing up for. And better yet, each exists for the purpose of supporting a local organization, nonprofit or good cause. Getting some exercise and helping the community seems like a win-win to us!
Aqua-Run 10K Relay and 2K Family Fun Walk
Saturday, August 13
Location: Elmwood Park — Omaha, NE
Price: $25 per person
Photos Courtesy of Aqua-Run
The Aqua-Run offers two separate events — a 10K team relay race and a 2K family fun walk! The relay teams will have five individuals on each team, and each runner will race with a half gallon of water in a water pack for their leg of the course, which they will hand off to the next teammate running the race. Head to Elmwood Park at 8 a.m. for either of these two fun and active events, both of which benefit Aqua-Africa, an organization that delivers clean water to villages in East Africa.
Register for the Aqua-Run here.
Nebraska Sports Council MudRun
Saturday, August 20
Location: Lancaster Event Center — Lincoln, NE
Prices: 3-Mile — $40 or $50 per person / 1-Mile — $20 or $25 per person
The Nebraska Sports Council MudRun is a spectator-friendly, 3-mile course that features music, obstacles, creek crossings, multiple mud pits and a giant slip-n-slide. Opt for the tethered 3-person team division or the one-mile Mini Mud Run instead. This certainly is not your average walk in the park! Don’t miss the after-party after this challenging course, including food, drinks, music and an awards presentation.
Register for the MudRun here.
Creighton Make-A-Wish 5K/10K
Saturday, August 20
Location: Zorinsky Lake Park (Shelter 5) — Omaha, NE
Prices: 5K — $25 per person / 10K — $30 per person
The Creighton Make-A-Wish 5K/10K is an event hosted by the Creighton University School of Medicine Class of 2019 and the Omaha Running Club that benefits Make-A-Wish Nebraska. Head to Zorinsky Lake at shelter #5 at 9 a.m. to begin either of the races. You’ll receive an event t-shirt, free snacks and beverages, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake as you complete your run!
Register for the Creighton Make-A-Wish 5K or 10K here.
Siena/Francis House Homeless Shelter’s 22nd Annual 5K Walk/Run
Saturday, August 27
Location: Stinson Park at Aksarben Village — Omaha, NE
Prices: $30 in Advance / $35 the Day Of
Photo Courtesy of The Siena/Francis House Homeless Shelter’s 22nd Annual 5K Walk/Run
The Siena/Francis House Homeless Shelter’s 22nd Annual 5K Walk/Run will take place at Stinson Park at Aksarben Village at 9 a.m. Each year, the race attracts over 700 participants who complete the 5K run, 5K walk or the Children’s Race, which is free to children and starts at 10:30 a.m. Enjoy lots of family-friendly activities, like face painting, games and live music from the Omaha Rock Company! This fun family activity benefits the Siena/Francis House, Nebraska’s largest shelter providing food, shelter, clothing and hope to homeless men, women and children for over 40 years. The Siena/Francis House is one of the many charities we support through our charitable organization, DodgeCares.
Register for the Siena/Francis House Homeless Shelter’s 5K Walk/Run here.
Omaha Marathon
Sunday, September 18
Location: TD Ameritrade Park — Omaha, NE
Prices: 1-Mile — $15 / 5K — $25 / 10K — $50 / Half-Marathon — $70 / Marathon — $85
The streets of downtown Omaha will be packed this Sunday, September 18 as runners from all over the country will gather for the Omaha Marathon. The race includes a friends & family mile run, a 5K, a 10K, a half-marathon and a full marathon. Whichever distance you strive for, be sure to stop by the Pasta Party the day before the race from 4–6 p.m. It is free for athletes who RSVP by September 13, $10 for friends and family, and $10 for athletes who do not RSVP. Get prepared for this challenging race with a carb-load party where you’ll find pasta, salad, bread and soft drinks!
Register for the Omaha Marathon here.
Fight for Air Corporate Cup at Aksarben Village 10K and 2 Mile
Sunday, September 25
Location: Stinson Park at Aksarben Village — Omaha, NE
Prices: 2-Mile — $45 (Individual) / 10K — $45 (Individual)
Make a positive impact in the lives of those affected by lung disease with your participation in the Fight for Air Corporate Cup’s 10K or 2-mile race! This fun and beneficial race is a great way to get outside and be active while supporting an amazing cause all the while.
Register for the Fight for Air Corporate Cup 10K or 2 Mile here.
Superhero Heart Run
Sunday, September 25
Location: Werner Park — Papillion, NE
Prices: Adults $25 / Children (2–12) $10
Photo Courtesy of Superhero Heart Run
Head to Werner Park in Papillion for the Superhero Heart Run! Runners dressed in superhero gear and commemorative capes will complete a 5K or 2K run/walk benefiting Congenital Heart Defect Awareness, the most common birth defect worldwide. Families throughout the state of Nebraska affected by this defect will directly benefit through the programs and services provided by Heart Heroes, Inc.!
Register for the Superhero Heart Run here.
Heartland Marathon
Sunday, October 2
Location: Downtown Omaha and Into Iowa (View Course Map)
Prices: 10K — $50 / Half-Marathon — $80 / Marathon — $90 / Marathon Relay — $190
The Heartland Marathon is another massive race event taking place right here in Omaha this fall. Participants can choose from a variety of distances, including a 10K, half-marathon, marathon relay and a full marathon! The routes take you through downtown Omaha and into Iowa, providing beautiful views atop the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and alongside the Omaha riverfront. This fun event benefits the Lewy Body Dementia Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the Lewy body dementias, supporting people with LBD and their families, and promoting scientific advances of the disease.
Register for the Heartland Marathon here.
Susan G. Komen Nebraska Race for the Cure
Sunday, October 9
Location: Baxter Arena and Aksarben Village
Prices: Varying
The Susan G. Komen Nebraska Race for the Cure is a major race taking over Baxter Arena and Aksarben Village on Sunday, October 9. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series is the largest and most successful fundraising event benefiting breast cancer in history, and we’re excited to host a race right here in Omaha. 100 percent of the net proceeds from Race for the Cure are allocated to their mission, and your participation means you get to be a part of that! Don’t miss the special survivor photo and parade starting on the main floor of the Baxter Arena and traveling towards the race start line in Aksarben Village, before the 5K run/walk and 1-mile walk begins.
Register for the Komen Nebraska Race for the Cure here.
Alice in Runderland 5K Run/Walk
Sunday, October 9
Location: Eugene T. Mahoney State Park — Ashland, NE
Prices: Before Sept. 9 — $20 / Sept. 9 Through Oct. 8 — $35
Take a trip to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park in Ashland for the Alice in Runderland 5K Run/Walk, hosted by Soul Healing Art. The race’s theme is Alice in Wonderland, and participants are encouraged to wear top hats and/or theme attire. There will be a “tea party” after the run/walk through the forest, featuring drinks for those of a legal age!
Register for the Alice in Runderland 5K Run/Walk here.
Nebraska Marathon
Sunday, October 16 | Location: From Midtown to Downtown — Omaha, NE
Prices: 5K — $45 in Advance or $55 Race Weekend / Half-Marathon — $89 in Advance or $99 Race Weekend / Marathon — $120 in Advance or $135 Race Weekend
Photos Courtesy of Nebraska Marathon
Complete a 5K, half-marathon or full marathon at the Nebraska Marathon, showcasing the most scenic route Omaha has to offer. Travel from midtown to downtown, passing through the heart of the Old Market and past many iconic landmarks. Check out the different routes to see what each race has in store!
Register for the Nebraska Marathon here.
Sumtur Twilight Dash 5K and 10K
Saturday, October 22 | Location: Sumtur Amphitheater
Prices:
5K — $15 Ages 12 & Under / $25 Ages 13 & Up
10K — $25 Ages 12 & Under / $35 Ages 13 & Up
Start and finish the Sumtur Twilight Dash 5K and 10K at the Sumtur Amphitheater in Papillion in the early evening and into the dark! The 5K and 10K courses will travel through a combination of grass, gravel and concrete trails, and will include adult beverages, soft drinks and live music at the end! Because of the colder temperatures at night, there will be plenty of bonfires to warm up to near the stage.
Register for the Sumtur Twilight Dash 5K or 10K here.
The Sumtur Ranch Run
Saturday, October 29 | Location: Skyline Ranches Park
Prices:
Kids and 1-Mile — $15 Before Oct. 14 / $25 After Oct. 15
5K — $30 Before Oct. 14 / $40 After Oct. 15
10K — $40 Before Oct. 14 / $50 After Oct. 15
Half-Marathon — $50 Before Oct. 14 / $60 After Oct. 15
The Ranch Run & Cowpoke Kids Run has a lot of new things in store this year, including the addition of a half-marathon! But the tradition of benefiting an amazing organization remains the same. Proceeds from this 5K, 10K, and half-marathon benefit HETRA, a nonprofit therapy organization that provides equine therapy to those with disabilities, and the childrens’ mission at St. Augustine Episcopal Church. This trail run/walk takes place on the beautiful and private horse trails of the Skyline Ranch neighborhood just south of Elkhorn.
Register for the Sumtur Ranch Run here.
Feast and Feathers Trail Races
Thursday, November 24 | Location: Glenn Cunningham Lake — Omaha, NE
Prices:
5K — $30 Before Nov. 1 / $35 After Nov. 1
10K — $35 Before Nov. 1 / $40 After Nov. 1
Half-Marathon — $60 Before Nov. 1 / $75 After Nov. 1
Photo Courtesy of Sarah Rae Photography via Feast and Feathers Trail Races
Head to the beautiful Cunningham Lake for the Feast and Feathers Trail Races on Thanksgiving Day! This is a great opportunity to get some exercise before your big feast that night. In fact, on a day centered around food, this race provides a wonderful chance to help those experiencing hunger, as all proceeds from the Feast and Feathers Trail Races benefit the Food Bank for the Heartland.
Register for the Feast and Feathers Trail Races here.
On your mark, get set, go!
Now it’s time to participate in these races that benefit local organizations!