Red Fern Festival 5k

  • Date Fri 24th April 2026
  • Time 6:30PM CDT
  • Location Tahlequah, Oklahoma
  • Price $27.50 - $32.80
  • Races 2 races
  • Distances 5km, 1 Mile

Event summary

Get ready to lace up your running shoes for the exciting Red Fern Festival 5K, taking place on Friday, April 24, 2026, in the vibrant town of Tahlequah, Cherokee. This lively event is part of the 18th Annual Red Fern Festival, which celebrates the beloved novel "Where the Red Fern Grows," set in the picturesque Ozark Hills. Runners will hit the new course starting and finishing at the NSU Fitness Center, just a stone's throw away from the festival's main attractions, including over 150 arts and crafts vendors, gourmet food trucks, and live music.

The 5K race kicks off at 6:30 PM, alongside a fun run, making it a perfect evening for families and friends to enjoy. This year, the event warmly welcomes furry companions, so feel free to run with your dog! The race will be chip-timed, ensuring accurate results for all participants, with medals awarded to the top three finishers in each 5-year age group. Be sure to register early for the best rates and to secure your event t-shirt. Join the festivities and experience the joy of running, eating, and celebrating at the Red Fern Festival 5K!

Organiser's Description

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 THE FIT (NSU FITNESS CENTER AT 530 N OAK AVE, TAHLEQUAH, OK 74464). CHECK BACK SOON FOR 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 E 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 AND WE WILL AWARD MEDALS TO THE TOP 3 IN EVERY 5 YEAR M/F AGE GROUPS.

EVENT DETAILS:

LOCATION: COVERED PAVILION JUST SOUTH OF NORRIS PARK

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.

Races

  • 5k

    Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt

    Fri 24th April 2026 (6:30PM CDT)

    $32.80

    OPENS 02 MAR
  • Fun Run

    Incl. $2.50 Fee & T-Shirt

    Fri 24th April 2026 (6:30PM CDT)

    $27.50

    OPENS 02 MAR

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Location

400 N Muskogee Ave, Tahlequah, 74464, OK, United States

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