Medal for the Red Kettle 2026
- Date
- Saturday, October 3, 2026
- Start time
- 9:00 AM start (New York)
- Location
- Watertown, New York
- Entry fee
- From $25
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
Registration is open.
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kids Run | Kids | Oct 3, 20269:00 AM | $25 | – |
| 5K | 5K | Oct 3, 20269:30 AM | $45 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- Kids Run: $25 until Oct 1.
- 5K: $45 until Oct 1.
Online registration closes Oct 1, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $45, entry is about 50 percent above a typical 5K in New York, which costs $30 right now.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a 5K in New York runs 33:56, about 10:55 a mile, based on 541 races with published results. Women typically finish in 36:56 and men in 30:25.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:01 AM, and the Kids Run starts at 9:00 AM. The start sits about 520 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
34 Thompson Park, Watertown, NY 13601
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
Typical race-day weather
Around October 3 the day usually runs from 53°F at dawn to 67°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 25% of days. Cold snaps dip to 42°F and hot years reach 75°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
- 34 Thompson Park, Watertown, NY 13601Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 520 feet
- Included with entry
- T-Shirt
- Distances
- 5K, Kids
- Editions
- 2026 (Oct 3, 2026)
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Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is Medal for the Red Kettle?
- Saturday, October 3, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $25 before processing fees.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Oct 1, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for New York?
- At $45, entry is about 50 percent above a typical 5K in New York, 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.
- What distances can I run?
- 5K, Kids.
- Where does it start?
- 34 Thompson Park, Watertown, NY 13601.
From the organizers
Medal for the Red Kettle - Thompson Park - Watertown NY - 10/3/26
This will be the first Salvation Army run and hopefully an annual event! It is KID friendly - there is a fun run for kids to get a medal and enjoy the fall day! Running and walking are acceptable. All finishers will receive a medal. There will be apple cider, apples and water at the finish line. Along the course there will be an aid-station about halfway.