The Iron Pickle 5k presented by Canton Pickle Fest

🏃‍♀️ The Iron Pickle 5K presented by Canton Pickle Fest: Starts & Finishes in Stark County Fairgrounds in Canton, OH Presented by Canton Pickle Fest | Organized by LHG Productions | Timed by RacePenguin

🥒 Iron Pickle Challenge: Ready for the bragging rights, or should we say Brine-ing rights?? Choose to take on the Iron Pickle Challenge!

Select the Iron Pickle add-on and carry either a jar of pickles from the Crazy Cucumber or a giant inflatable pickle across the finish line.

Finish strong with your pickle in hand and you'll earn a unique Iron Pickle Award.

🌎 Virtual Option: Love the Pickle but need to participate from afar?  Our virtual 5k Run/Walk means you can complete the 5K any where at any time between May 30-June 30, 2026.  You complete a 5K distance and submit your time!  Please know your virtual can't include any add-ons (jar of pickles or an inflatable pickle) we also don't include the results in the overall or age group awards.   You do however get an awesome shirt & medal for joining us!

For virtual participants your packet will be sent out by Friday, June 5.

Submit Your Virtual Results: Submit Your Time!

🙋 Volunteer: We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make this year’s Iron Pickle Race a success! Opportunities include day-of registration, packet pick-up, handing out pickles, staffing water stations, and assisting with finish line awards and refreshments. Volunteers will receive their very own pickles as a thank-you! Open to family, friends, and runners who want to lend a hand before the race.

If you would like to volunteer at our event to help it run smoothly, or know someone else who does, please go to this link  volunteer page to signup today!

👕 Shirts: Our 5K we offer t-shirt sizes Youth Small to Large and Adult Small to 2X-Large, plus we have $5 discount for a no shirt option.  For the Little Pickle Dash only Youth Small to Large, plus we have $5 discount for a no shirt option.

T-Shirts will be limited after May 11 with limited selections!

🏅 Medal & Bonus Award: All participants will receive an Iron Pickle Medal at the finish line. Those who take on the Iron Pickle Challenge will receive a bonus award.

🏆 Awards: Awards can be picked up at the beginning of the festival! Top 3 overall male and female, finishers will be announced on stage at 9:30 AM.

Top 3 Age group male and female in ages: 14-Under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, & 80+.

Winners in the age groups will also be recognized and receive an Iron Pickle certificate.

Best Dressed honors will go to the pickle-loving participant with the most creative costume — so dress to impress!

📅 Schedule:  Stark County Fairgrounds

Friday, May 29: Pre-Packet Pickup 4:00-6:00 PM - At the Fairgrounds, Exhibition Building

Saturday, May 30 - Race Day 7:00-8:00 AM - Packet Pickup 8:00 AM - Little Pickle Dash Starts - 200 Yards 8:15 AM - 5K Run/Walk Starts 9:30 AM - Awards Ceremony 10:00 AM - Canton Pickle Fest starts and ends at 6pm.

🎉  After the Race: Stay for the Full Pickle Festival Experience! Enjoy over 30 pickle-themed food vendors, including food trucks with special pickle menus, cottage bakers, pickle soft drinks, and pickle cocktails & beer from The Happy Camper Bar. Take part in our scavenger hunt for special pickle prizes, shop with local vendors, and explore unique pickle-inspired products. This year also features live entertainment!

Admission is free (parking is $2). Run the race and get early access to Canton’s most popular pickle event of the year!

This isn’t your ordinary 5K — it’s a pickle-packed, fun-filled run with electrolytes in every step! 🥒 Welcome to the Iron Pickle 5K! 🏃‍♀️ Run. 🥒 Pickle. 🎉 Party.