5k Runs in the East of England 2026-2027
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5k runs across the East of England: 127 5K races in 2026 and 2027, Cambridge to the Norfolk coast, with dates, venues and entry links. Flat is the word for this region, and a 5K here is about as fast as the distance gets in Britain. Cambridge and Norwich have city 5Ks on closed or traffic-free roads, the Essex towns put a 5K beside almost every club 10K, and the seafronts at Southend, Felixstowe and Great Yarmouth host promenade races with a breeze for company. Between May and July, Race for Life brings its 5K to parks and showgrounds across the region.
5k runs by city
Search by town: Cambridge, Norwich, Ipswich, Peterborough, Colchester, Chelmsford, St Albans and Southend-on-Sea.
What to expect from an East of England 5k
Expect a measured course, a small entry fee and a field that spans everything from county-standard juniors to first-timers walking the last kilometre. Many of the region's 10Ks put their 5K on first, which makes it a sensible way to try a race weekend without committing to the longer distance. Summer midweek 5Ks along the Cam, the Orwell and the Stour finish in the long evening light, and Christmas brings Santa dashes to the seaside towns and the cathedral cities. Anyone graduating from parkrun to a proper start line will find a suitable first race here most weekends. If a 3K, 4K or 6K is nearer the mark, adjust the distance slider at the top of the page.
Other distances in the East of England
Move up to the 10k runs calendar for the region when the five feels short, or browse the full running calendar for the East of England along with the half marathon calendar, the marathon calendar and the trail running calendar. The UK-wide 5k runs calendar reaches beyond the Fens to the whole country.
Get new running races (and updates) in your inbox every month.