2026 Spirit of Freedom 5K Run, Walk, Ruck 2026
- Date
- Saturday, October 3, 2026
- Start time
- 9:00 AM start (New York)
- Location
- Findlay, Ohio
- Entry fee
- From $30
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
Registration is open.
We earn a small commission when you register through this link, at no cost to you. Details
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Spirit of Freedom - 5K Run, Walk, Ruck | 5K | Oct 3, 20269:00 AM | $30 | – |
| VIRTUAL 2026 Spirit of Freedom - 5K Run, Walk, RuckVirtual | 5K | Oct 3, 20269:00 AM | $30 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- $30 until Oct 3.
Online registration closes Oct 3, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $30, entry is about the same as a typical 5K in Ohio ($30).
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a 5K in Findlay runs 36:09, about 11:38 a mile, based on 11 races with published results. Women typically finish in 36:37 and men in 27:23.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:31 AM, and the 2026 Spirit of Freedom - 5K Run, Walk, Ruck starts at 9:00 AM. The start sits about 790 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
Marathon Petroleum, Findlay, OH 45840
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
2025 results
All results (4 years)Aggregated from official results (DRS Timing) for 2026 Spirit of Freedom 5K Run, Walk, Ruck. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at 2026 Spirit of Freedom 5K Run, Walk, Ruck?
In 2025, the fastest tenth finished in 25:52 or better, the top quarter in 30:14, and half the field in 41:29; the last tenth came in after 53:34.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | 30:13 | n/a |
| 30-39 | 32:25 | 25:52 |
| 40-49 | n/a | 41:29 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
What would my time get me?
Where a finish time would have placed in 2025.
Finishers by year
Up 69 percent since 2022.
All events combined, from official results.
2026 Spirit of Freedom 5K Run, Walk, Ruck 5K year by year
From 2022 to 2025, the field went from 36 to 61 finishers, and the median time rose from 33:50 to 41:29.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 61 (-74%) | 41:29 | under 25:52 | 19:24 |
| 2024 | 239 (+67%) | 45:55 | under 24:53 | 17:38 |
| 2023 | 143 (+297%) | 44:14 | under 26:07 | 19:20 |
| 2022 | 36 | 33:50 | under 26:38 | 23:31 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
Slower than most Ohio 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 30:14, against 28:16 in a typical Ohio 5K, so times here run 7 percent slower.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Typical race-day weather
Around October 3 the day usually runs from 55°F at dawn to 73°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 16% of days. Cold snaps dip to 43°F and hot years reach 83°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
Race details
- Where
- Marathon Petroleum, Findlay, OH 45840Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 790 feet
- Included with entry
- T-Shirt
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 5K
- Editions
- 2026 (Oct 3, 2026), 2025 (Oct 4, 2025), 2024 (Oct 5, 2024), 2023 (Oct 7, 2023), 2022 (Oct 1, 2022)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is 2026 Spirit of Freedom 5K Run, Walk, Ruck?
- Saturday, October 3, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $30 before processing fees.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Oct 3, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Ohio?
- At $30, entry is about the same as a typical 5K in Ohio ($30).
- Do runners get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
- Can I donate to a cause when I register?
- Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
- What distances can I run?
- 5K.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2025, 61 runners finished the 2025 Spirit of Freedom - 5K Run, Walk, Ruck; the median finish was 41:29 and the winner ran 19:24.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 30:14, against 28:16 in a typical Ohio 5K, so times here run 7 percent slower.
- Where does it start?
- Marathon Petroleum, Findlay, OH 45840.
From the organizers
Marathon Petroleum (MPC) and HONOR, our Veterans employee network chapter in Findlay, Ohio, are hosting a 5K race for employees and community members on October 3 at 9 a.m. The race will start on East Hardin Street under the MPC skywalk. All (100%) race proceeds will benefit Flag City Honor Flight and other Honor Flight chapters. Honor Flight is a national nonprofit dedicated to celebrating U.S. veterans by inviting them to share in a day of honor at our nation’s war memorials.