Freeze Your Gizzard 5K and 1 Mile

Join us for the celebration of 24 years of running! The Town of Leesburg's Freeze Your Gizzard 5k Cross Country Race and 1-mile fun run will be held at Ida Lee Park Saturday, November 21, 2026. 5K start time is 9 AM with the 1-mile fun run starting at 10:00AM.

All pre-registered 5k runners are guaranteed a long sleeve performance shirt. Refreshments will follow both races. The 5K race runs through a scenic cross-country course in Ida Lee Park’s 138 acres. No dogs, wagons, or baby strollers are allowed on the course due to the terrain.

5K Registration Cost:
$24 through August 31
$30 September 1 – November 7
$35 November 8– November 18
$40 November 19 - November 21

One Mile Fun Run Registration Cost:
$20 through November 18
$25 November 19 - November 21

One-mile participants will receive a commemorative medal at the finish line

All participants are asked to bring 2 or MORE canned items to donate to the Loudoun Hunger Relief Food Bank. Food can be dropped off at packet pick up and/or on race day!

Event date: Saturday, November 21, 2026  

Event location: Ida Lee Park: 60 Ida Lee Drive NW, Leesburg, VA  20176

Start times:
5K will start at 9 AM from the festival field
1 Miler will start at 10 AM from the festival field

Course: This course is a cross-country style and has several steep hills. The race starts and finishes at the gazebo at Ida Lee Park, 60 Ida Lee Drive NW, Leesburg, VA 20176. Please no dogs, wagons or baby strollers - with the uneven terrain, we want to ensure everyone's safety.

Runners are encouraged to bring their own water bottle to use while on course.

Swag: 5K participants will receive a commemorative Freeze Your Gizzard long-sleeve performance t-shirt.
           One-mile finishers will receive a medal at the finish line.

Packet Pick Up: (NOTE new packet pick up times)
Thursday, November 19, from 2 PM – 6 PM
Friday, November 21, from 12 PM – 4 PM
Saturday, Race Day: 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM in the field at the registration/packet pick up tents

Packet pick located at Ida Lee Park Recreation Center

Awards: Awards will be given to the top three overall male and female finishers. As well as the first, second, and third place male and female finishers of the 5K for each age category. 14 and under, 15 – 19, 20 – 29, 30 – 39, 40 – 49, 50 - 59, 60 - 69. 70+

Post Race Refreshments: Bottled water and refreshments will be available after the race for participating 5k and 1 milers.

Parking: Parking for the race is in the front grass field of Ida Lee Park. Please follow parking signs for the event; the event parking is accessed from North King Street. Please do not turn onto Ida Lee Drive. Parking is not available at the recreation center.

Our charity partner:
We are happy to partner with Loudoun Hunger Relief once again! Monetary donations accepted online and/or at the event. Thank you for your kindness. Loudoun Hunger Relief will be hosting our post-race celebration. Enjoy refreshments and door prizes (must be present to win). Please consider bringing two items of non-perishable food on race day.
Learn more about Loudoun Hunger Relief by clicking here. https://loudounhunger.org/ 

Please no dogs, wagons or baby strollers.

With any further questions, please call Ida Lee Recreation center at (703) 777-1368.  

 ***If you require a reasonable accommodation to access a Town of Leesburg service, program or activity, you may request such accommodation in a timely manner by submitting are request at ADA Accommodation Request | Town of Leesburg, Virginia (leesburgva.gov)

Join fellow runners on November 21, 2026 for the Freeze Your Gizzard 5K and 1 Mile. It's a fantastic 5K, 1.6K featuring a flat and fast course in Leesburg.