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| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5K | 5K | Oct 31, 20269:00 AM | $40 | – |
| Fun Run | Kids | Oct 31, 20269:45 AM | $25 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
Online registration closes Oct 29, 2026, unless the race fills first.
At $40, entry is about 33 percent above a typical 5K in North Carolina, which costs $30 right now.
A typical finisher at a 5K in North Carolina runs 35:28, about 11:25 a mile, based on 761 races with published results. Women typically finish in 38:55 and men in 31:23.
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:30 AM, and the 5K starts at 9:00 AM. The start sits about 40 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
526 North Main Street, Tarboro, NC 27886
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. Course maps are the organizers' own.
Aggregated from official results (Run The East LLC) for Run for Your Life 5K. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
In 2025, the fastest tenth finished in 25:43 or better, the top quarter in 34:35, and half the field in 45:34; the last tenth came in after 59:21.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 28:33 | 21:48 |
| 20-29 | 38:08 | n/a |
| 30-39 | 33:50 | 24:45 |
| 40-49 | 27:20 | n/a |
| 50-59 | 34:06 | 41:44 |
| 60-69 | 42:43 | n/a |
| 70+ | 42:39 | 35:31 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
Where a finish time would have placed in 2025.
Up 12 percent since 2021.
All events combined, from official results.
From 2021 to 2025, the field went from 157 to 176 finishers, and the median time rose from 44:56 to 45:34.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 176 (+43%) | 45:34 | under 25:43 | 18:21 |
| 2024 | 123 (-12%) | 45:29 | under 26:01 | 20:13 |
| 2023 | 140 (+9%) | 46:34 | under 26:54 | 18:22 |
| 2022 | 129 (-18%) | 49:51 | under 29:04 | 19:11 |
| 2021 | 157 | 44:56 | under 26:33 | 19:31 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
Slower than most North Carolina 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 34:35, against 28:39 in a typical North Carolina 5K, so times here run 21 percent slower.
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.
Around October 31 the day usually runs from 51°F at dawn to 70°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 16% of days. Cold snaps dip to 41°F and hot years reach 79°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.
What the organizers of Run for Your Life 5K cover on their registration page, in brief.
Schedule and packet pickup
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.
Course
Click here to see course detail.
Shirt and medal
PREMIER: $3000.00+ each. Featured on banner, Featured on t-shirt, Featured on race website, and 8 free entries to race. DIAMOND: $1500.00 each. Logo on banner, Logo on t-shirt, Logo/Name on race website & social media, and 6 free entries…
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Join us for the 14th Annual Run For Your Life 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run on Saturday, October 31, 2026, in historic Downtown Tarboro! Lace up your running shoes—or walking shoes!—for a morning full of community spirit, celebration, and purpose.
This event is the signature fundraiser for the Edgecombe Cancer Support Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing financial assistance to Edgecombe County residents undergoing cancer treatment. While many assume that cancer patients’ needs are fully covered, the reality is different—rising treatment costs, insurance gaps, and day-to-day living expenses leave many in our community struggling.
That’s where you come in.