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Red Fern Festival 5k logo

Red Fern Festival 5k

Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 6:30 PM CDT

Location
Tahlequah, OK
400 N Muskogee Ave, 74464
Type
RUN
Official registration

Sign up and verify details on the organizer’s official page.

At a glance

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Run, eat, and be entertained at this dog-friendly 5K, celebrating a classic novel amidst the vibrant Red Fern Festival in Tahlequah.

  • Fun
  • Competitive
  • Quirky
  • Festive

Great for: casual, fun-first runners, runners who like a competitive edge

Less ideal for: walkers-only pacing

Join the Red Fern Festival 5K in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, a lively evening run celebrating the beloved novel 'Where the Red Fern Grows.' This event is part of the larger 18th annual festival, offering a vibrant atmosphere with food trucks, live music, and artisan vendors spanning seven blocks. Runners can enjoy a social experience, even bringing their dogs, and serious competitors will appreciate the chip-timed course and awards for top finishers. Finish your run near the festival's heart and enjoy the festivities.

What to expect

  • A social 5K and fun run experience, welcoming runners and their dogs.
  • Enjoy a chip-timed race with finisher medals for all and trophies for top male and female competitors.
  • Finish near the heart of the Red Fern Festival, with easy access to food trucks and live music.

Standout details

  • Part of the Red Fern Festival
  • Dog-friendly run
  • Chip-timed race for serious runners
  • Trophies for top 3 male and female finishers

Perks & features

  • After-Party
  • Awards
  • Chip Timed
  • Food & Drink

From the public listing — confirm on the official site.

Auto-drafted from the public listing — confirm details on the official event page before signing up.

Distances & registration

2 options

Registration for all distances is through the official signup link above.

  • 1 Miles

    Fri, Apr 24, 6:30 PM CDT · From $27.50

    Opens Feb 27, 2026, 3:49 AM CST · Closes Apr 8, 2026, 7:59 PM CDT

  • 5K

    Fri, Apr 24, 6:30 PM CDT · From $32.80

    Opens Feb 27, 2026, 3:49 AM CST · Closes Apr 8, 2026, 7:59 PM CDT

Vibe Check

Easygoing

  • Rolling area

Based on terrain, weather, and distance data.

The course

  • Rolling
  • Timed race
From the organizer

April 24-25 Tahlequah Main Street will host the 18th annual Red Fern Festival.  This festival celebrates the “Where the Red Fern Grows” Novel which is set in the Ozark hills in and around Tahlequah Oklahoma.  The festival spans seven blocks and hosts over 150 arts and crafts vendors and gourmet food trucks, along with inflatables, petting zoos, and live music.

This year the Red Fern Festival 5k will happen on a new course that will start and finish at NSU Letters sign at the corner of Goingsnake, Muskogee, and Smith. More details on the new course route.   This will be a rain or shine event, but if the weather is too much to go on, we do not have a reschedule option and it will become a virtual run.

The start for both the 5k and the fun run will be 6:30 Friday evening, April 24th.   Runners will be finishing just a few blocks from food trucks and live music at the heart of the Red Fern Festival at Norris Park.  So sign up and soon run, eat, and be entertained at the Red Fern Festival 5k!

This social run also encourages running with dogs, since dogs play an important role in the Red Fern Festival.  For the more serious runners, this will be a chip timed race by I:40 Race Service.

Finishers medals will go to all 5k participants and trophies will be awarded to the top 3 male and female finishers.

Event Details :

Location: NSU Letters sign at campus entrance (Corner of Goingsnake, Muskogee, and Smith)

Events: 5k and Fun Run

Registration Open: 5:30 PM

Start Times: Both the 5k and Fun Run will start at 6:30 PM

Early Bird Registration Fees (Before April 7th): Fun Run for $25, 5k for $30

Full Price Registration Fees (After April 7th to Race Day): Fun Run for $30, 5k for $35

T-shirt: Must register by April 7th to get a guaranteed shirt.  All registrations after, shirts that are first come first serve.

Course information coming soon, map will be posted then.

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