OWLS Fort Macon 5K Trail Run logo
5KTrail

OWLS Fort Macon 5K Trail Run 2027

Date
Saturday, April 17, 2027
Start time
9:00 AM start (New York)
Entry fee
From $40
Included with entry
Includes a shirt
Fundraising
Takes optional donations when you register
Register on RunSignup

Registration is open.

We earn a small commission when you register through this link, at no cost to you. Details

Add to calendar: Apple or Outlook · Google

Events and entry fees

EventDistanceWhenEntry feeCap
OWLS Fort Macon 5K Trail Run5KApr 17, 20279:00 AM$40–

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

Race day planning

Entry fee schedule

  • $40 until Apr 17.

Online registration closes Apr 17, 2027, unless the race fills first.

How the price compares

At $40, entry is about 33 percent above a typical 5K in North Carolina, which costs $30 right now.

What a typical finish looks like

A typical finisher at a 5K in North Carolina runs 36:24, about 11:43 a mile, based on 32 races with published results. Women typically finish in 39:39 and men in 31:52.

Light and altitude

Sunrise on race morning is at about 6:34 AM, and the OWLS Fort Macon 5K Trail Run starts at 9:00 AM. The start sits about 10 feet above sea level.

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

Start location and course

2303 East Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512

The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.

107
finishers
35:23
median (11:23 /mi)
21:04
winning time
61% / 39%
women / men
median 35:2321:561:23:16
Finish times, fastest to slowest. Each bar is a slice of the field; the dashed line is the median.

Aggregated from official results (Run The East LLC) for OWLS Fort Macon 5K Trail Run. Individual finisher names are not stored here.

How fast do you need to be at OWLS Fort Macon 5K Trail Run?

In 2026, the fastest tenth finished in 27:26 or better, the top quarter in 30:11, and half the field in 35:23; the last tenth came in after 57:11.

Third place by age group, 2026 OWLS Fort Macon 5K Trail Run
AgeWomenMen
Under 2028:16n/a
20-2935:1930:50
30-3932:3926:03
40-4928:0829:06
50-5931:3631:31
60-6948:5330:16

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 2026.

Finishers by year

Down 15 percent since 2024.

All events combined, from official results.

OWLS Fort Macon 5K Trail Run 5K year by year

From 2024 to 2026, the field went from 126 to 107 finishers, and the median time dropped from 40:52 to 35:23.

YearFinishersMedianFastest tenthWinner
2026107 (-34%)35:23under 27:2621:04
2025163 (+29%)35:17under 25:5519:36
202412640:52under 26:4320:03

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

How fast is it?

About average for North Carolina trail 5Ks

The fastest quarter of the 2026 5K field finished under 30:11, against 30:14 in a typical North Carolina trail 5K, so times here are about average.

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 April 17 the day usually runs from 58°F at dawn to 72°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 11% of days. Cold snaps dip to 49°F and hot years reach 76°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 OWLS Fort Macon 5K Trail Run cover on their registration page, in brief.

Schedule and packet pickup

Event Timed by Run The East, LLC

This event is timed by Run the East! With professional race timing services and a focus on delivering accurate results,. we’re here to make your race day seamless and enjoyable. Learn more at runtheeast.com.

Full details on the race's RunSignup page

Race details

Where
2303 East Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512Map
Course
Trail
Start elevation
About 10 feet
Included with entry
T-Shirt
Donations
Accepted when you register
Distances
5K
Editions
2027 (Apr 17, 2027), 2026 (Apr 11, 2026), 2025 (Mar 29, 2025), 2024 (Apr 20, 2024)

Organize this race? Add details or a correction

Plan your race

Quick answers

When is OWLS Fort Macon 5K Trail Run?
Saturday, April 17, 2027, starting at 9:00 AM.
How much does it cost?
Entry starts at $40 before processing fees.
When does registration close?
Online registration closes Apr 17, 2027, unless the race fills first.
Is the entry fee high for North Carolina?
At $40, entry is about 33 percent above a typical 5K in North Carolina, 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 2026, 107 runners finished the OWLS Fort Macon 5K Trail Run; the median finish was 35:23 and the winner ran 21:04.
Is it a fast course?
The fastest quarter of the 2026 5K field finished under 30:11, against 30:14 in a typical North Carolina trail 5K, so times here are about average.
Where does it start?
2303 East Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512.

From the organizers

Join the OWLS Wildlife Center on Saturday, April 17th, 2027 for the OWLS Fort Macon 5K Trail Run!

COURSE:

The Fort Macon trail run is cross country style surfaces with moderate elevation. Trail is both wooded and full sun with footbridge crossings and views of Beaufort Inlet, Bogue Sound and Atlantic Ocean throughout course.

WHO WE ARE:

OWLS Wildlife Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of injured, sick, and orphaned native North Carolina wildlife. Our mission is to rehabilitate and release wildlife while educating the community about the importance of conservation.

REHABILITATE:

We aim to lead in the rescue, rehabilitation, and successful release of wildlife back into their natural habitats.

CONSERVATION:

Read the full description on RunSignup