FAQ
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The event takes place over Labor Day weekend on Saturday, September 5, 2026
The race is hosted at Alum Creek Park North, located in Westerville, Ohio (43081). Please note this is the city park, not the Alum Creek State Park
The Kids Donut Dash kicks off bright and early at 8:00 AM EDT
The 1-Mile Walk, 5K Run/Walk, and 10K Run/Walk all start simultaneously at 8:15 AM EDT
Parking will not be available at Alum Creek Park North. However, there are many nearby designated public parking lots close to both the park and Uptown Westerville. Arrive early to secure a spot.
No. All race routes are entirely on paved park trails and the paved sidewalk crossing the Main Street bridge over Alum Creek. You will not have to run or walk alongside open vehicular traffic. However, the park trails do remain open to the public during the event.
Every distance option starts and finishes at the exact same line, located on the paved main road/driveway entering Alum Creek Park North. Please check out our Course Maps, and specifically our Interactive Google Maps for more details.
Yes! All participants—including those registered for the free Kids Donut Dash—receive a freshly baked Dunkin' donut of their choice at the finish line
Registered participants for the 1-Mile, 5K, and 10K receive finish line photos, an ultra-soft ring-spun blended shirt (or alternative custom giveaway), a custom race bib, and a finisher medal
Absolutely! During registration, you can choose between a classic race t-shirt, extra donuts, or a colorful tutu (you will select your tutu color at packet pickup).
Yes. If you want a t-shirt and a tutu or extra donuts, you can purchase additional giveaway items as add-ons during the checkout process
Yes, long-sleeve shirts and hooded sweatshirts are available to buy during registration or dynamically via the event's online RunSignup store
Parents can choose between two options: a "With Swag" registration (which includes a youth t-shirt, medal, race bib, and donut) or a "No Swag" registration (which is free and still includes the finish line donut)
Base registration starts at $44.99, with standard price increases occurring after June 30, 2026 ($49.99), July 31, 2026 ($54.99), and up to $59.99 on race week.
Base registration starts at $54.99, with standard price increases occurring after June 30, 2026 ($59.99), July 31, 2026 ($64.99), and up to $69.99 on race week.
The "No Swag" version of the Kids Donut Dash is 100% free for registrations completed by August 18, 2026. After that date, a small $5 late registration fee applies.
Yes, if spots are still available. However, online registration via your smartphone is the fastest way to register, even on race morning.
The event has a strict no-refund policy. If you cannot make it to the physical race, you can contact the race organizers or manage your registration online to transfer to a corresponding virtual event.
Early packet pickup is heavily emphasized to avoid those race-day lines. For the Westerville Donut Run, early packet pickup will be held at the Worthington Road Runner Sports location at 535 Lakeview Plaza Blvd Worthington, OH 43085 on September 4, from 4-6pm
Yes, race-morning packet pickup is available at Alum Creek Park North starting at ~7:15 AM (or roughly one hour before the first race wave drops)
Yes. As long as they know your full name and registered distance, someone else can pick up your bib, shirt, and race packet for you. However, who gets to eat the donuts is subject to negotiation between the parties involved!
If you selected a tutu as your race giveaway option, you will choose your preferred color on-site during packet pickup
Yes! The 1-Mile, 5K, and 10K events are professionally chip-timed by USA Race Timing & Event Management.
The Kids Donut Dash is a fun run designed for enjoyment and is not officially chip-timed.
The Kids Donut Dash is a short sprint of approximately 100 meters, finishing right under the giant inflatable start/finish line arch.
Results are calculated instantly. You can view your times immediately after crossing the finish line by visiting the USA Race Timing results page, checking the Results tab directly on RunSignup, or by clicking on Big Tom's icon and typing in your first and last name.
Yes, custom awards are issued to top finishers across traditional multi-year age brackets for male, female, and non-binary divisions
Yes, strollers are permitted. Because the routes take place entirely on paved park paths, pushing a jogging stroller is easy. We simply ask that stroller users start near the back of the corrals for safety
This is a dog friendly event however dogs must be on a leash and to avoid tripping at the start line we recommend anyone with a dog starts after the main group has begun. We will have a water bowl for dogs setup at the finish line!
Extremely! The 1-Mile and 5K options explicitly welcome walkers. The flat, paved scenery makes it a perfect community walk
Yes, virtual events are offered for all race distances (1-Mile, 5K, 10K, and Kids Dash)
The virtual races match the early-bird pricing structure of the physical events, starting at $44.99.
You can run or walk your distance anywhere you choose and submit your final clock times directly via the RunSignup "Submit Virtual Results" tool
Yes, virtual registrations include the same premium race t-shirt (or alternative giveaway selection) and custom finisher medal shipped straight to your door or made available for local pickup.
You can sign up for various volunteer positions (such as course marshals, water stations, or donut dispensing) by clicking the "Volunteer" tab on the main RunSignup page.
Yes! Finish line photos are included with your registration and can be searched and downloaded completely free via the Photos tab after the event
The race proudly features freshly baked donuts provided by Dunkin'
Yes, well-stocked water stations are placed at logical intervals along both the 5K and 10K loops
Yes! A massive, 25-foot giant inflatable donut is set up at the main festival site specifically for fun family photos and finisher selfies
Yes, the event is a proud participant in the RunColumbus Race Series, allowing local athletes to accumulate competitive series points, and to run as part of a vibrant running community here in central Ohio.
The event is rain or shine. In the case of severe, dangerous weather (like lightning), race management may delay starts or transition to a virtual protocol to ensure participant safety. A scenario that involves cancelling the event, however, is quite rare.
Yes. You can manage your distance changes (e.g., swapping from the 10k down to the 5k) directly through your personal RunSignup profile before the transfer deadline. Please note, that moving up in distance from the 5k to the 10k would involve you paying the difference in price ($10) for the move up in distance.
While Dunkin' supplies the standard finish line treats, additional fruit, snacks, and refreshments are available at the recovery tents for individuals with dietary restrictions. We hope to also be able to provide a limited number of gluten-free donuts.
Yes, headphones are allowed. However, because the route winds along shared park pathways, keeping the volume at a level where you can hear passing runners or course marshals is highly recommended. A safe alternative would be to use a bone-conduction set of earphones, such as Shokz.
The course remains fully open and supported long enough to accommodate both average joggers and energetic walkers. Translation: Just keep moving, and we'll keep that finish line and the donuts ready for you!
For specific registration issues or custom inquiries, use the "Questions?" button at the bottom of the official Westerville Donut Run and Walk page on RunSignup to message the race director
