Igniting Hope 5K 2026

Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Start time: 9:00 AM start (New York)
Location: Wilmington, Delaware
Entry fee: From $35 · goes up to $40 on Oct 10, 2026
Included with entry: Includes a shirt
Fundraising: Takes optional donations when you register

Registration is open.

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Official race website

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Events and entry fees

Event	Distance	When	Entry fee	Cap
Igniting Hope 5K	5K	Nov 21, 20269:00 AM	$35$40 after Oct 10, 2026	–

Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.

The 5K fee goes up to $40 on Oct 10, 2026.

Race day planning

Entry fee schedule

$35 until Oct 9, then $40 until Nov 10, then $45 until Nov 21.

Online registration closes Nov 21, 2026, unless the race fills first.

How the price compares

At $35, entry is about the same as a typical 5K in Delaware ($35).

What a typical finish looks like

A typical finisher at a 5K in Wilmington runs 35:46, about 11:31 a mile, based on 23 races with published results. Women typically finish in 39:22 and men in 32:21.

Light and altitude

Sunrise on race morning is at about 6:53 AM, and the Igniting Hope 5K starts at 9:00 AM. The start sits about 170 feet above sea level.

Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.

Start location and course

Saint Mark's High School, Wilmington, DE 19808

The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. Course maps are the organizers' own.

2023 results

All results (3 years)

220

finishers

33:05

median (10:39 /mi)

17:08

winning time

45% / 55%

women / men

Finish times, fastest to slowest. Each bar is a slice of the field; the dashed line is the median.

Aggregated from official results for Igniting Hope 5K. Individual finisher names are not stored here.

How fast do you need to be at Igniting Hope 5K?

In 2023, the fastest tenth finished in 23:46 or better, the top quarter in 26:35, and half the field in 33:05; the last tenth came in after 57:37.

Third place by age group, 2023 The Bishop's 5K
Age	Women	Men
Under 20	22:32	18:40
20-29	28:05	31:19
30-39	35:02	24:49
40-49	26:41	24:35
50-59	28:47	29:20
60-69	39:00	25:19

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.

Finish timeGenderAge group

Finishers by year

Up 18 percent since 2021.

187

2021

181

2022

220

2023

All events combined, from official results.

Igniting Hope 5K 5K year by year

From 2021 to 2023, the field went from 187 to 220 finishers, and the median time dropped from 33:10 to 33:05.

Year	Finishers	Median	Fastest tenth	Winner
2023	220 (+22%)	33:05	under 23:46	17:08
2022	181 (-3%)	32:28	under 22:40	17:35
2021	187	33:10	under 22:34	16:29

From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.

How fast is it?

Faster than most Delaware 5Ks

The fastest quarter of the 2023 5K field finished under 26:35, against 27:26 in a typical Delaware 5K, so times here run 3 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 November 21 the day usually runs from 36°F at dawn to 51°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 19% of days. Cold snaps dip to 29°F and hot years reach 61°F.

Based on 85 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 Igniting Hope 5K cover on their registration page, in brief.

Schedule and packet pickup

Family Friendly!

Enjoy race day with your whole family! We will be offering free food, drinks, games, and face painting.

Schedule and packet pickup

Bib Pick Up and Registration

Saturday, November 21st at Saint Mark's High School. 8:00am - 8:50am (5K starts at 9:00am). *Same day registration available for $45 from 8:00am -8:50am.

Course

Course Map

CLICK HERE FOR COURSE MAP. *Map is for directional purposes only. *Subject to change.

Awards

Awards and Age Groups

Overall Male/Female. Overall Masters Male/Female. Top 3 in each age group Male/Female. 13 and under, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. *Overall and Masters - based off GUN TIME. *Age Groups - based off CHIP TIME.

The cause

Where are the proceeds going?

All proceeds from the Igniting Hope 5K directly support Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington, which has been serving our community with compassion and dignity for over 190 years. Your generosity FUELS: Emergency food and shelter…

Full details on the race's RunSignup page

Race details

Where: Saint Mark's High School, Wilmington, DE 19808Map
Course: Road
Start elevation: About 170 feet
Results posted by the race: Results
Included with entry: T-Shirt
Donations: Accepted when you register
Distances: 5K
Editions: 2026 (Nov 21, 2026), 2025 (Nov 22, 2025), 2024 (Nov 23, 2024), 2023 (Nov 18, 2023), 2022 (Nov 19, 2022), 2021 (Nov 20, 2021)

Organize this race? Add details or a correction

Plan your race

Quick answers

When is Igniting Hope 5K?: Saturday, November 21, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM.
How much does it cost?: Entry starts at $35 before processing fees, and rises to $40 on Oct 10, 2026.
When does registration close?: Online registration closes Nov 21, 2026, unless the race fills first.
Is the entry fee high for Delaware?: At $35, entry is about the same as a typical 5K in Delaware ($35).
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 2023, 220 runners finished the The Bishop's 5K; the median finish was 33:05 and the winner ran 17:08.
Is it a fast course?: The fastest quarter of the 2023 5K field finished under 26:35, against 27:26 in a typical Delaware 5K, so times here run 3 percent faster.
Where does it start?: Saint Mark's High School, Wilmington, DE 19808.
Is there a course map?: Yes, the organizers publish the route on MapMyRun; the link is under Start location and course.

From the organizers

Our Annual 5k aims to support those in need, rally the community, and have some fun!

Whether you're a seasoned runner chasing a personal best or someone who just wants to enjoy a stroll with friends and family, everyone is welcome.

When we come together, we become a beacon of hope for our neighbors in need. Let’s make this year’s 5K a celebration of strength, service, and shared humanity.

#GenerosityFuelsMiracles!