Northern Lights 5K Fun Run
About this race
BIG NEWS FROM TJCC!
Welcome to the Northern Lights 5K Fun Run at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center!
The Northern Lights 5K Fun Run has a new home!
Hosted by the Thomas Judd Care Center, this year’s event is moving to the Grand Traverse County Civic Center, bringing a bright new energy and a course designed for everyone.
We’re introducing a triple loop course! A flat, easy-to-follow route that’s perfect for runners, walkers, families, and all ages. Whether you’re moving fast or taking it at your own pace, you’ll circle the course three times, enjoying the lights and community along the way.
Three loops = more glow, more fun, and more chances to cheer each other on!
Same welcoming, feel-good event - just in a new location that makes it even easier to participate and celebrate together.
Get Ready to Glow!
Thomas Judd Care Center’s 9th Annual Northern Lights 5K Fun Run
Friday, September 11 | 8:00 PM
Start & Finish: Grand Traverse County Civic Center/ Pavilion Parking Lot
Lace up your sneakers and light up the night! Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Northern Lights 5K Fun Run, hosted by the Thomas Judd Care Center to raise awareness for HIV care and prevention resources across Northern Michigan.
Whether you're running or walking, this 5K course offers glowing fun, community spirit, and a chance to make a difference!
Registration Includes:
- Neon event tee (limited to early registrants—don’t wait!)
- Timed event
- Post-race snacks
- Finisher medals
Cash Prizes!
Top Overall Male & Female Finisher: $300
Male & Female Division:
- 1st Place: $150
- 2nd Place: $100
- 3rd Place: $50
We're excited to once again offer cash prize drawings:
- Northern Lights Finisher Drawing - All race finishers (run, walk, crawl) will be entered to win one of three $50 cash prizes!
- Northern Lights Spirit Drawing - Show off your glow! Embrace the theme and light up the night with your best neon, LED, or glow-in-the-dark gear. All creatively lit-up and enthusiastically dressed racers will be entered to win $100 cash prize!
Come prepared with extra clothes and time to cheer on other runners as they cross the finish line. Celebrate wellness and support for others! You must be present to win drawings at the completion of the race!
Important Dates:
- Registration Opens: Friday, May 1 at 8:00 AM
- Registration Closes: Sunday, September 6 at 11:59 PM
There is no race-day registration—don’t miss your chance! - Packet Pickup: Wednesday, September 9, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Munson Foster Family Community Center, 550 Munson Ave, Suite 202 Traverse City - Late Packet Pickup: Friday, September 11, 7:00 PM -7:30 PM at Grand Traverse County Civic Center Pavillion
❤️ Why We Run
The Thomas Judd Care Center works to promote wellness and prevent HIV transmission by providing holistic, compassionate care for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS in Northern Michigan. Your participation helps support life-changing services in our community.
Ready to shine? Register early to guarantee your race tee and join us for a glowing good time!
Pick your distance
Running
5K Run/ Walk
This is FUN RUN promoting HIV awareness with CASH prizes! Signs, bright colors, and words of encouragement are welcome! *The course is 3 laps on the paved trail at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center. The total distance is an approximate 5K.
Typical race-day weather
Based on 11 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Traverse City, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 7:16 AM and sets at 8:01 PM local time (EDT) in Traverse City on September 11, 2026 — 12h 44m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
Reviews
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2026 results — Northern Lights 5K Fun Run
5K Run/ Walk · 152 finishers
| Place | Name | Time | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Craig Manning | 16:45 | 5:24 /mi |
| 2 | Leah Hall | 17:58 | 5:48 /mi |
| 3 | Matt Nester | 18:20 | 5:55 /mi |
| 4 | Mitchell Rose | 21:05 | 6:48 /mi |
| 5 | Patrick Ledtke | 21:23 | 6:54 /mi |
Every finisher is on the results page, filterable by distance, gender and age group.
All results by year
Other races near Traverse City
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
Farmland 5K, 10K, & Kid's Race
TCTC Jingle Bell Run
Up North Media Traverse City Turkey Trot
Iceman Cometh Challenge
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Traverse City
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Traverse City 5K Races 15 races
- 10K Run Events in Traverse City 5 races
- Traverse City Half Marathons 2 races
- Marathons in Traverse City 2 races
- Traverse City Running Calendar 2026 21 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 29 Traverse City events
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