The Oktoberfest 5k Challenge
About this race
Get ready to run, eat, drink, and celebrate at The Oktoberfest 5K Challenge!
Join us at Munson’s on Saturday, October 3, for two festive 5Ks benefiting the YMCA. Whether you’re looking for family fun at the 9:00 Donut Race or to start the morning beer-chugging at the 10:30 Beer Race, The Oktoberfest Challenge promises a morning of festive fun, friendly competition and memorable moments for all.
THE FAMILY DONUT 5K — 9:00 A.M.
- Runners of all ages are invited to take on our family-friendly Donut 5K, featuring a donut station at every mile!
- Children ages 12 and under may participate for free. Registration is $30 for adults and participants over age 12. Each registered participant will receive an official race T-shirt.
- Trophies will be awarded to the top girl and boy finishers.
THE BEER 5K — 10:30 A.M.
- Participants ages 21 and older can take on the Beer 5K as an individual runner or as part of a three-person relay team. Runners will chug one beer at each mile along the course.
- Individual registration is $40. Relay registration is $32 per person.
- Trophies will be awarded to the top male and female individual finishers and each member of the winning relay team.
- All Beer 5K participants must present a valid photo ID at check-in. No one under 21 will be permitted to participate in the Beer 5K.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Advance registration is strongly encouraged. Register by September 25th to guarantee your official Oktoberfest Challenge T-shirt. Shirts and preferred sizes cannot be guaranteed after the deadline.
Come run for a great cause, enjoy the Oktoberfest atmosphere, and help us support the YMCA. Serious runners, casual joggers, families, and relay teams are all welcome!
Pick your distance
Running
Family Donut 5K — 9:00 a.m.
Enjoy a family-friendly 5K with a delicious twist! Participants will stop for a donut at each mile before continuing along the course. Registration is free for children ages 12 and under and $30 for participants ages 13 and older. All registered participants will receive an official race T-shirt. Trophies will be awarded to the top girl and boy finishers.
Beer Challenge 5K — 10:30 a.m. — Individual
Take on the full Oktoberfest Beer 5K challenge as an individual runner! Participants must finish a beer at each designated station before continuing along the course. All beer must be consumed while standing at the station—running while drinking is not permitted. Participants must be at least 21 years old and present a valid photo ID at check-in. Registration is $40 and includes an official race T-shirt. Trophies will be awarded to the top male and female finishers. Please drink responsibly. Participants are responsible for arranging safe transportation after the race.
Beer Challenge 5K — 10:30 a.m. — Three-Person Relay
Gather a team of three and take on the Oktoberfest Beer 5K together! Each teammate will complete one leg of the course. The first runner must finish a beer at the designated station before beginning the race. After completing their leg, the runner will tag the next teammate waiting at the beer station. That teammate must finish their beer before leaving the station and beginning the next leg. All relay participants must be at least 21 years old and present a valid photo ID at check-in. Registration is $32 per person, and includes an official race T-shirt. Each member of the winning relay team will receive a trophy. Please drink responsibly. Participants are responsible for arranging safe transportation after the race.
Race-day daylight
We have no recorded weather for Columbus yet, but sunrise and sunset follow from the venue and the date.
The sun rises at 6:49 AM and sets at 6:35 PM local time (CDT) in Columbus on October 3, 2026 — 11h 46m 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
Done this event?
If you've participated in this event, share your experience with other runners
Other races near Columbus
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
Sgt Melvin Gatewood Ruck/Walk & Fun Run
Bukka White Blues Festival 5K
Amory Turkey Trot 5K
The Magnolia Run
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Columbus
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Columbus 5K Races 3 races
- Columbus Running Calendar 2026 3 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, 3 Columbus events
Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.