Brain Freezer 5K
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Event overview
The Brain Freezer 5K takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, in Burlington, Vermont. The event starts and finishes at North Beach Park and follows the bike path along Lake Champlain between North Beach and Waterfront Park. This is the second year the race uses this route.
Course and format
The course includes an ice cream eating pit stop in Water Works Park. Challengers run half a 5K, stop to eat a full pint of Vermont-made ice cream, then complete the remainder of the course. Fun runners may skip finishing a pint. Prizes are awarded for best costume and best team costumes.
Registration and proceeds
Standard registration is listed at $30, with an earlier strikethrough price of $50 and a scheduled price increase after May 30, 2026. All proceeds support People Helping People Global, a Vermont-based organization that provides interest-free microloans to people living on less than $2 a day.
Additional notes
The event page lists local partners and vendors such as Island Homemade Ice Cream, Fleet Feet Burlington, Smokey Newfield, Poorhouse Pies, and Leonardo’s. A course map is available through MapMyRun and the venue is North Beach Park, Burlington, VT 05401. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
