2026 Ashland Balloonfest 5K

Ashland Balloonfest 5K 2026

Event date/location: 

DATE: Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 9:00 am.

LOCATION:  Freer Field, start/finish, located at 1301 Park St, Ashland, OH 44805. This is near the new community building off Park Street. 

Parking: Parking is available on public side streets close to the starting line. Parking is NOT available in the small side parking lot located on Freer Field.

Restroom Facilities: The port-a-pots used by Balloonfest will be available. 

Event Details: The 31st Annual Ashland Balloonfest 5K will be put on by the Ashland Cross Country Parents Organization (ACCPO). The Balloonfest 5K Run and Walk is the longest-running 5K in Ashland County. Proceeds from the 5K benefit the students on the Ashland High School and Ashland Middle School cross-country teams.  This race supports fundraising efforts that directly benefit our Ashland High School and Ashland Middle School Cross Country athletes. 

This year will include a Fun Run for children 12 and under. This event is free! There is an online sign up with no charge, please sign up online so we know how many race bibs will be needed. Online free registration will be May 1, 2026 - June 24, 2026. There will also be same day registration for the FREE Kids' Fun Run. Please arrive at 8:00, especially if you did not sign up online. The fun run will begin at 8:30 am.  

We recognize that it is important to maintain your health with good habits such as running, social engagement, and being outdoors. This race provides our community with an opportunity to engage in these healthy habits while participating in a fun and competitive race.  We look forward to supporting our cross-country athletes and the community through this event!

Mid Ohio Race Management will provide chip timing.  Chip timing allows your time to start once your feet cross the starting line.  

Please note the following for 2026 participants: 

• Pre-registered participants should plan to arrive at the race site beginning at 8:00 am, the race begins at 9:00 am.
• Same day registrants or people should arrive earlier than 8:00 am to ensure time to sign up and receive a bib for chip timing.
• Fun run participants:  On site registration for those who did not register online will begin at 8:00 am, the race begins at 8:30 am.

Pricing and Registration 2026:

5k Race Early Registration May 1 through June 10 = $30.00 with guarantee of t-shirt    

**PLEASE NOTE, T-SHIRTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO PARTICIPANTS WHO SIGN UP AFTER JUNE 10--WE ARE SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE, BUT OUR T-SHIRT SUPPLIER NEEDS TO BEGIN PRODUCTION OF THE SHIRTS JUNE 11. 

5k Race Late Registration June 11 through June 23 = $30.00, no t-shirt (we are sorry, but we will NOT be able to provide t-shirts to participants who register after June 10). If you register by June 23, you will not get a t-shirt, but you will be able to pick up your race packet and bib on Thursday, June 25.

5k Race Very Late Registration :) June 24 through 7:00PM June 26: $30.00, no t-shirt, pick up packet/bib morning of race.

5k Same Day Registration: $30.00 You're still very welcome to run, but please arrive early so we can sign you up and get you a bib for chip timing! Same day registration will be cash, check, or Zelle only. 

Race Packet Pick-Up:  Thursday, June 25 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at Spreng Smith Insurance Agency, 320 College Avenue, Ashland, OH 44805

Race packets can also be picked up Saturday, June 27 from 7:30AM to 8:30AM near the race start. Look for volunteers!

You or a designee are asked to make plans to pick up your packets at the above-listed date/s and times.  

T-Shirts:

Shirts are guaranteed with registration by June 10 and will be available in the following sizes: 

Adult:  Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large 

Youth:  Small, Medium, Large, X-Large

Awards Ceremony 2026:    10 am, Saturday, June 27, 2025, immediately following the race.

A brief awards ceremony will be held for race participants to receive awards.

Prizes:

Medals for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female runners for the following categories:

10 and under

11-13

14-16

17-19

20-24

25-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

70 and up

Awards for the top overall male runner and the top overall female runner

Awards for the top overall male Master's runner and the top overall female Master's runner (Master's is 40 years+)

About the Course:

Roads will be blocked off and volunteers will be stationed at each roadblock to make sure runners are safe. There will also be members from the police department on site that day for extra security and safety measures.