Annual Burns Park Run
About this race
Winding through a beautiful Ann Arbor neighborhood near the University of Michigan campus, the tree-lined Burns Park Run loop course has been a favorite of beginner and world-class runners alike.
The Burns Park Run will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026. It is a long-standing and successful fundraiser, organized and run by volunteers, that supports Burns Park Elementary PTO programs. We are excited to celebrate our 48th anniversary this year.
Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, the Burns Park Run 5K and 10K races annually draw 1,000 to 1,500 runners aged 5 to 90 years, with over 200 elementary school kids running the 5K. For the youngest of participants, there is a separate 1/2 mile Fun Run around the park.
Awards & Medals
ALL FINISHERS of the timed events: 5K (Run and Walk) and 10K will receive a finisher medal at the Burns Park Run. Additional awards will be recognized at the awards ceremony which will take place after the Fun Run at approximately 10am. Awards will be recognized for the following categories:
- Top Male, Female and Non-Binary for Top Overall, Masters and Grand Masters winner of the 5K and 10K Run
- Top Male, Female and Non-Binary for Top Winner for each Adult Age Group Division of the 5K and 10K Run
- 1st, 2nd and 3rd place Male, Female and Non-Binary for each Youth Age Division (5 and under through 17 years old) of the 5K and 10K Run
Race T-Shirts
Shirts are OPTIONAL and can be purchased when registering or through the event store on the Run Sign Up website.
Packet Pickup Schedule:
Friday May 1, 4-5:30 PM at the Flagpole (in front of Burns Park Elementary)
Saturday May 2, 12-3 PM in the Burns Park Warming Hut (corner of Wells and Baldwin)
Race day packet pickup is available, too!
Sunday May 3, 7-8:15 AM, in front of the Burns Park Warming Hut (park-side)
More About the Burns Park Run
The Burns Park Run was started by the PTO as a fundraiser for 6th grade campers in 1979. This Burns Park Elementary fundraiser has grown and symbiotically supported the activities offered by our PTO to its students and their families. Today’s race is headed by volunteer race directors and ~100 volunteers working throughout the year on planning, funding, marketing and staffing the Burns Park Run.
Read more about the storied and unique history of the Burns Park Run in the 2004 press article by marathon legend Doug Kurtis.
Join fellow runners on May 1, 2022 for the Annual Burns Park Run. It's a fantastic 5K, 10K, 0.8K featuring a flat and fast course in Ann Arbor.
Pick your distance
Running
5K Run
The 5K starts and finishes near the corner of Wells St and Baldwin Ave. Participants travel counter-clockwise around the course. Most of the course is flat, with the largest net elevation change on Shadford Rd, from Ferdon Rd to Harding Rd, followed by a lesser, but steeper incline immediately after turning onto Woodside Rd. The finish is a long gradual downhill, with a fast downhill from Ferdon Rd to the finish line.
10K Run
The 10K starts and finishes near the corner of Wells St and Baldwin Ave. The 10K is two loops of the 5K route. Participants travel counter-clockwise around the course. Most of the course is flat, with the largest net elevation change on Shadford Rd, from Ferdon Rd to Harding Rd, followed by a lesser, but steeper incline immediately after turning onto Woodside Rd. The finish is a long gradual downhill, with a fast downhill from Ferdon Rd to the finish line.
1/2 Mile Fun Run, Sponsored by Goldfish Swim School
The 1/2 Mile Run Run is one loop around the old Burns Park County Fairground loop.
Virtual 5K
This is a virtual option for those not able to join us in person.
Walking
5K Walk
This is the same course as the 5K Run. It starts and finishes near the corner of Wells St and Baldwin Ave. Participants travel counter-clockwise around the course. Most of the course is flat, with the largest net elevation change on Shadford Rd, from Ferdon Rd to Harding Rd, followed by a lesser, but steeper incline immediately after turning onto Woodside Rd. The finish is a long gradual downhill, with a downhill from Ferdon Rd to the finish line.
Weather Overview
These values reflect historical conditions on the race dates in Ann Arbor in 2022, from Open-Meteo archive data.
About Ann Arbor
Annual Burns Park Run takes place in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. The local timezone is America/Detroit.
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Race information has been sourced from the event's official website and other publicly available resources. For the most up-to-date details, please refer to the official website directly. If you notice any incorrect or missing information, don't hesitate to reach out to us by email.
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