Name: Fall 5 KM Classic 2026
Start: 2026-10-18T08:00:00-04:00
Location: 1935 Rogers Dr, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

Flat and Fast 5k

One of the flattest courses you could hope for, with 90% road and 10% paved pathway.

Fun for the whole Family

An accessible distance for all, with a kids run and lots of activities and with individuals and families in mind. Since 1997.

T-shirt included with all 5k entries

While supplies last; sizes are running out...

Extra challenge

This event plus the Thanksgiving Day Mile is the 2026 Oktoberfest Run Series for an extra competition, fun, and medal.

Available discounts

Run Waterloo members save 25% on race entries.
That discount is stackable with 10% we offer run groups, such as Runners' Choice Waterloo, Running Rarebits, Health + Performance, Runners In Motion, and more. Check with your coaches/group leaders.
You can decline the free shirt and save $10.
There are a number of corporate groups with discounted entries - check with your team or reach out to Run Waterloo for more.

Registration fees Spots remaining: 445

Where pricing applies, shown amounts include mandatory charges, items, and fees.

5 KM Limited spots available

Price changes in 9 days 10 hours

THE 5k. Not a component of a marathon weekend, but an amazing 5k that is a standalone race. Includes t-shirts (while supplies last) and finisher medal.
1. CA$62.15
  
  $55 plus fees
  
  Now registering Jun 12 – Sep 14
  
  Register for 5 KM
2. CA$67.60
  
  $60 plus fees
  
  Sep 15 – Sep 30
3. CA$73.05
  
  $65 plus fees
  
  Oct 1 – Oct 13
4. CA$78.50
  
  $70 plus fees
  
  Oct 14 – Oct 18

200m Fun Run Limited spots available

Price changes in 25 days 10 hours

Untimed Fun Run. Includes finisher medal. Anyone can sign up for this 200m. Any 5k runner can participate in the 200m for free (while wearing their 5k bib) for example to chaperone a young child who is registered in the 200m. If the 200m runner wants a t-shirt, it can only be purchased through the product store, after registration, while supplies last.
1. CA$13.14
  
  $10 plus fees
  
  Now registering Jun 12 – Sep 30
  
  Register for 200m Fun Run
2. CA$18.58
  
  $15 plus fees
  
  Oct 1 – Oct 18

Future Runner (Stroller Occupant)

Strollers and their passengers are free, and must be registered through this system. In the event, they must be accompanied (pushed) by a participant in a different sub-event. This is for the child in the stroller, and does not include a t-shirt or finisher medal.

Free

Jun 12 - Oct 18

Register for Future Runner (Stroller Occupant)

Participant SWAG 😍

T-shirts are included with 5K entry, while supplies last. Medals are guaranteed to all 5k and 200m participants. Stickers are available at bib pickup, while supplies last. The 2026 brand will be launched asap.

Registration Policy

Refunds are not available, but deferrals and transfers are outlined in the waiver that each participant agrees to upon registration. For any help or clarification, the only channel available to participants is to email registrationpolicy@runwaterloo.com. This is the only inbox where registration policy questions are received, and we reply quickly with information and address concerns.

Race course and venue

A super flat course through beautiful Riverside Park in Cambridge, Ontario, along the Speed River. Check out the Strava route or gmap.

This course is identical to 2025.

The entire race course is closed to cars, and runners have complete tangents available at all points with two exceptions of two-way runners:

Along the Speed River south from 1.3k to 1.65k and north from 2.7k to 3.05k. This is a full width road and will be coned down the middle; runners run on the right.
Along Rogers Dr. south from 3.7k to 4.1k and then north from 4.1k to 4.5k. This turnaround re-uses an earlier part of the course; on your first pass through this area from 0.5k to 0.9k, you will have the full width of the road, and you will see cones to your side. By the time the first runner gets to 3.7k, cones will divide this full width road in half, with runners on the left both ways with a clockwise U-turn, the only turnaround on the course. The course is certified with these tangents in mind.

There is a water stations at 2.5k.

There is lots of parking at lots along Rogers Dr. Note that all vehicles must enter from Speedsville Rd. only, and the race course does not obstruct any parking. There are 2x the required number of washrooms in close proximity to the start line. The map below is from 2025 and we are not expecting any changes.

Sanctioning and certification

This race is sanctioned by Athletics Ontario and the course is certified by Athletics Canada.

5k Awards

There are non-duplicative top-3 category awards for:

5 year age groups for male and female
non-binary
weight categories: women 160-184 and 185+lbs; men 190-214 and 215+lbs.
adaptive athlete
walking

Visit the results kiosk for prizes. Even if you don't win an award, you will still receive your results sticker. The top-3 awards are engraved plates that affix to the reverse of the finisher medal. There is no awards ceremony for category winners.

Prize money is as follows:

Overall, men and women: $450 for 1st, $300 for 2nd, $200 for 3rd, $150 for 4th, and $100 for 5th. These amounts are discounted 50% if not under 15:00 for men and 17:00 for women.
Masters, men and women: $200 for 1st, $100 for 2nd, $50 for 3rd. These amounts are discounted 50% if not under 17:30 for men and 20:00 for women.
Time based: $300 for sub-15:29 (women) or sub-13:57 (men).
Reach out for elite entry.

Prize money is presented at a short awards presentation at 8:50 a.m. at the finish line.