NC Fossil Fest 5K

The in-person NC Fossil Fest 5K run will be held on Sunday, May 24, at 8:00 am in Aurora, NC.

Join us for our Annual NC Fossil Festival 5K Fossil Run! The 5K will take place in the Town of Aurora. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Aurora Fossil Museum.  Race bibs can be picked up on race day in front of the Aurora Fossil Museum at 7:00 a.m.  Please arrive by 7:30 a.m. so you can park in the designated Festival Parking (grass lots south of Main Street), walk to the Race Start, and pick up your bib before 7:50 a.m. If you arrive after 7:45 a.m., you may be late starting the race.  After the race, stay and enjoy the Fossil Festival activities! Dig for fossils, visit the food and product vendors, and explore the educational booths!

All runners participating in-person will be eligible for awards.  Awards will be given for the Top 3 Overall Male/Female, as well as the Top 3 age group awards for Male/Female.  

If you can't make it to the in-person event, you can opt to participate in our virtual event from May 17 to May 31. See Virtual FAQ's for more information. An $8 shipping fee will be added to the registration fee to cover the cost of mailing your race packet to you.

All racers, whether in-person or virtual, will receive a custom Finisher's Medal to commemorate participation in this year's Fossil Fest 5K! 

All racers signing up by April 22nd will also receive a 2026 North Carolina Fossil Festival T-shirt!  Encourage your family and friends to sign up with you for this jaw-some swag!

Join fellow runners on May 17, 2026 for the NC Fossil Fest 5K. It's a fantastic 5K featuring a flat and fast course in Aurora.