Shirt and medal
T-shirt
T-shirts available until 10/08. Sizes Adult Small thru XXLarge and Youth Small thru XLarge available.
5KTrail
Dragons in the Woods 2026
- Date
- Saturday, October 17, 2026
- Start time
- 9:00 AM start (Detroit)
- Location
- Holt, Michigan
- Entry fee
- From $25 · goes up to $30 on Oct 5, 2026
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
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Registration is open.
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5k Run/Walk | 5K | Oct 17, 20269:00 AM | $25$30 after Oct 5, 2026 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
Register on RunSignup
The 5K fee goes up to $30 on Oct 5, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- $25 until Oct 4, then $30 until Oct 16, then $35 until Oct 17.
Online registration closes Oct 17, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $25, entry is about 17 percent below a typical 5K in Michigan, which costs $30 right now.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a 5K in Michigan runs 33:32, about 10:48 a mile, based on 37 races with published results. Women typically finish in 38:28 and men in 29:49.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:52 AM, and the 5k Run/Walk starts at 9:00 AM. The start sits about 900 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
881 Grovenburg Rd, Holt, MI 48842
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 (5 years)93
finishers
36:15
median (11:42 /mi)
17:32
winning time
45% / 55%
women / men
Aggregated from official results (Michigan Running Foundation) for Dragons in the Woods. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at Dragons in the Woods?
In 2025, the fastest tenth finished in 22:28 or better, the top quarter in 26:13, and half the field in 36:15; the last tenth came in after 1:06:30.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 30:28 | 24:42 |
| 20-29 | n/a | 23:57 |
| 30-39 | 36:12 | n/a |
| 40-49 | 29:56 | 19:29 |
| 50-59 | n/a | 35:38 |
| 60-69 | n/a | 25:39 |
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 48 percent since 2021.
63
2021
77
2022
96
2023
56
2024
93
2025
All events combined, from official results.
Dragons in the Woods 5K year by year
From 2021 to 2025, the field went from 63 to 93 finishers, and the median time dropped from 50:30 to 36:15.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 93 (+66%) | 36:15 | under 22:28 | 17:32 |
| 2024 | 56 (-42%) | 32:02 | under 20:47 | 17:59 |
| 2023 | 96 (+25%) | 33:49 | under 22:52 | 17:33 |
| 2022 | 77 (+22%) | 31:48 | under 15:18 | 11:12 |
| 2021 | 63 | 50:30 | under 24:22 | 18:43 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
Faster than most Michigan trail 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 26:13, against 30:09 in a typical Michigan trail 5K, so times here run 13 percent faster.
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 17 the day usually runs from 44°F at dawn to 60°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 31% of days. Cold snaps dip to 37°F and hot years reach 73°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.
From the race's page
What the organizers of Dragons in the Woods cover on their registration page, in brief.
Awards
Awards
Awards to Overall winner and Master winner. Pint glasses to top three places in age group. Age Groups: 12 and under, 13-16, 17-20, 21-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, 41-45, 46-50, 51-55, 56-60, 60+.
Rules and FAQ
Refer friends and get a $10 refund
Get the word out to your friends about this great race! When you refer 3 or more participants you'll get a refund of up to $10.00! Details provided at checkout.
The cause
Donate and Receive a FREE Entry!
If you would like to support our school and get a free entry to the race donate $50. When you register for the race your entry will be free! Simply Sign Up and follow the steps to register and on the donation screen enter $50. ($25…
Race details
- Where
- 881 Grovenburg Rd, Holt, MI 48842Map
- Course
- Trail
- Start elevation
- About 900 feet
- Included with entry
- T-Shirt
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 5K
- Editions
- 2026 (Oct 17, 2026), 2025 (Oct 18, 2025), 2024 (Oct 19, 2024), 2023 (Oct 21, 2023), 2022 (Oct 15, 2022), 2021 (Oct 16, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is Dragons in the Woods?
- Saturday, October 17, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $25 before processing fees, and rises to $30 on Oct 5, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Oct 17, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Michigan?
- At $25, entry is about 17 percent below a typical 5K in Michigan, which costs $30 right now.
- 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, 93 runners finished the 5k Run/Walk; the median finish was 36:15 and the winner ran 17:32.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 26:13, against 30:09 in a typical Michigan trail 5K, so times here run 13 percent faster.
- Where does it start?
- 881 Grovenburg Rd, Holt, MI 48842.
From the organizers
Dragons In The Woods is in its 13th season! We are excited to be back in 2026! The race will again be run on the majestic trails of Birchfield Park, in Holt. This challenging trail run is great for the seasoned runner or for families who want to walk/run together. All proceeds from the race benefit Island City Academy, a charter school in Eaton Rapids. Come out and join us Saturday, October 17th and compete for your chance to win one of four, awesome trophies!