Great Island 5K 2026
- Date
- Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Start time
- 10:00 AM start (New York)
- Location
- New Castle, New Hampshire
- Entry fee
- From $10
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt, a finisher medal and a hat
- 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
Official race websiteAdd to calendar: Apple or Outlook · Google
Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5K Race Walk | 5K | Oct 11, 202610:00 AM | $40 | – |
| 5K Run and Walk | 5K | Oct 11, 202610:00 AM | $40 | – |
| Kids Fun Run | Kids | Oct 11, 202611:15 AM | $10 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- 5K Race Walk and 5K Run and Walk: $40 until Oct 10.
- Kids Fun Run: $10 until Oct 10.
Online registration closes Oct 10, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $40, entry is about 33 percent above a typical 5K in New Hampshire, which costs $30 right now.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a 5K in New Hampshire runs 34:06, about 10:59 a mile, based on 71 races with published results. Women typically finish in 37:56 and men in 30:54.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 6:50 AM, and the 5K Race Walk starts at 10:00 AM. The start sits about 30 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
265 Wentworth Road, New Castle, NH 03854
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
2023 results
All results (2 years)Aggregated from official results (Yankee Timing) for Great Island 5K. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at Great Island 5K?
In 2023, the fastest tenth finished in 23:30 or better, the top quarter in 27:49, and half the field in 33:52; the last tenth came in after 53:58.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 27:17 | 21:58 |
| 20-29 | 23:42 | 18:31 |
| 30-39 | 21:42 | 18:47 |
| 40-49 | 22:42 | 21:29 |
| 50-59 | 24:54 | 22:30 |
| 60-69 | 25:39 | 22:43 |
| 70+ | 29:54 | 26:07 |
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 2023.
Finishers by year
Up 37 percent since 2022.
All events combined, from official results.
Great Island 5K 5K year by year
From 2022 to 2023, the field went from 449 to 668 finishers, and the median time rose from 30:47 to 33:52.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 668 (+49%) | 33:52 | under 23:30 | 16:09 |
| 2022 | 449 | 30:47 | under 21:31 | 15:58 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
Faster than most New Hampshire 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2023 5K field finished under 27:49, against 28:57 in a typical New Hampshire 5K, so times here run 4 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 11 the day usually runs from 48°F at dawn to 62°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 23% of days. Cold snaps dip to 42°F and hot years reach 74°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
- 265 Wentworth Road, New Castle, NH 03854Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 30 feet
- Included with entry
- High quality race hat (First 700 registered); T-shirt and Race Medal
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 5K, Kids
- Editions
- 2026 (Oct 11, 2026), 2025 (Oct 12, 2025), 2024 (Oct 13, 2024), 2023 (Oct 8, 2023), 2022 (Oct 9, 2022), 2021 (Oct 10, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is Great Island 5K?
- Sunday, October 11, 2026, starting at 10:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $10 before processing fees.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Oct 10, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for New Hampshire?
- At $40, entry is about 33 percent above a typical 5K in New Hampshire, which costs $30 right now.
- Do runners get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a shirt, a finisher medal and a hat, 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, Kids.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2023, 668 runners finished the 5K Run and Walk; the median finish was 33:52 and the winner ran 16:09.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2023 5K field finished under 27:49, against 28:57 in a typical New Hampshire 5K, so times here run 4 percent faster.
- Where does it start?
- 265 Wentworth Road, New Castle, NH 03854.
From the organizers
Our 5K is held on one of the most beautiful courses in New England. It starts and finishes at the Great Island Common at the mouth of the Piscataqua River. The course runs through the scenic and historic roads of New Castle NH. We have the largest free raffle in New England, great food and a high quality race hat to the first 700 registered. We also offer 3 kids fun runs and a new playground to entertain the whole family
All proceeds of the GI5K go to Charity.
We hope you can join us for the 32nd Great Island 5K!