Events
Frigid 5K Series (both 5K's)
Description
Join us for the 2025 Fantastic Frigid 5K's! We're excited to again team up with Stratford Ecological Center for these events, both races will be hosted on the Stratford property and will provide you with a scenic tour around the nature preserve. The course is mostly on nature trails with some small sections that are on pavement. We're looking forward to having you join us for a great Frigid 5K experience.
Race Start Times: Both 5K events will start at 10:15 AM on their respective race dates.
The Fantastic Frigid 5K Series is part of the 2025 season of the RUNColumbus Race Series!
Other important details
Early Packet Pickup
Pre-race number pick-up will take place at the POWELL CRC (141 Greenside St Unit A, Powell, OH 43065) the Thursday and Friday immediately preceding each race (Jan 2nd and 3rd for Race 1, January 23rd and 24th for Race 2). Race day registration (while available, each race is capped at 120 participants) and number pick-up will begin at 9:00 am inside the Education Building at Stratford. This is the first building to the right when you get through the woods on the driveway. Indoor restroom access will be available. All other activities will be outdoors. It is the Frigid 5K after all!
Race Day Timeline
*Please note that this schedule will be followed for both race dates. For safety and monitoring purposes, we will not be allowing any late starts, so please plan to be on-site by 9:30-9:40 to ensure that you can start the race on time at 10:15.*
9:00 AM - Race day check-in/packet pickup will begin inside the Stratford Ecological Center information building. Restrooms are available inside. Please do try to avoid tracking in too much dirt/snow so we can continue to use the (warm) indoor facilities!
10:00 AM - All participants head to the start line for pre-race instructions
10:15 AM - The Fantastic Frigid 5K is underway!
After you finish - FREE hot dogs and other assorted snacks by the outdoor fire on the information building patio
~11:00 AM - Awards presentation on the information building patio
Post-race - Head home and warm up!
Swag
Yes, races give this stuff away. Often shirts, hats, or something similar. They call it ‘goodie bags’, ‘Swag’, or ‘free stuff’. What are you going to get when you sign up for this race? Well, first off Mother Nature is going to slap you silly for more than three miles. She’s got cold hands. Everyone will get a little extra snot on their lip. Courtesy of your own nose, hopefully. Best of all you’ll get a heavy dose of pride. Every year, the Frigid 5K changes up our swag. This year, we're giving away another awesome Frigid 5K long sleeve t-shirt and a pair of hand warmers! Please note: if you sign up for both races, you only get one long sleeve t-shirt (but we will get you two hand-warmers)! The design for this year's shirt will be posted below as soon as it is finalized!
Age group awards
Delicious baked goods will be provided for the top three overall male/female finishers and the top male/female age group winners. 19&U, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+
Post-race food and beverage options
Hot chocolate will be provided (probably super hot compared to the air temps, be careful!). Other post-race refreshments may include water, fruit, and chips. The famous Frigid 5K hot dogs are also ready to be grilled!
Restrooms
Gone are the days of a frozen trip to the porta-john. Again, this year we'll have access to (cue trumpets) indoor restrooms with heating, flushing toilets, all the best 21st Century amenities!
Parking
Free parking is available at Stratford Ecological Center, but is somewhat limited. We highly encourage carpooling. Overflow parking is available and may be utilized if conditions dictate on race day. Please follow the instructions of all event staff regarding parking.
Other notes
- The registration area (inside the Education Building) will open to race participants at 9:00 am, please arrive no later than 9:40 am to ensure that the day runs smoothly and on time. No late starts will be allowed!
- For your sanity, DRESS WARM!
- We are not responsible for snow and/or ice on the course.
- This event does not allow participation with dogs, all participants must run and/or walk (ie, no bicycles, hoverboards, horses, zebras, or anything else)
- Don't touch the fences. Seriously.
Course Map
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
